Steven Larocque
Speaker Reporter
TEMISKAMING SHORES – Bob Morin is taking a step forward for kids who want to play sports.
Up to 60,000 steps, that is.
Morin, who was the City of Temiskaming Shores’ Community Torchbearer for the December 31 visit of the Olympic flame, has pledged to walk and/or run 40,000 to 60,000 steps between September 9-12.
His goal is to reach $1,500 in donations in the 20 Mile Challenge for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program.
Jumpstart helps kids, who might otherwise not be able to afford sports, participate in organized activities such as hockey, soccer or swimming.
Morin has been active in track and running dating back to 1985 when he went to the World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles where he won a gold medal in the 400-metre race.
Most recently he founded the Temiskaming Masters Track and Running Club (TMTRC), a group that encourages physical participation for adults.
“(This)… is a club for people over the age of 30 all the way up to age 90 who wish to stay fit and have fun at the same time,” he said in an email to The Speaker.
“I am a believer that age shouldn’t stop you from doing anything athletically...in fact, it makes you empowered.”
MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
In June he and Cheryl Reimer collected three medals at the Ontario Masters Athletics 2010 Championships held at York University.
Reimer won gold in the Women’s 40-44 age category 100-metre (m) sprint.
Morin collected silver in the 100m and 200m races in the Men’s 40-44 age category.
The TMTRC trains in the spring at the Mary Vandervliet Graydon Track at Timiskaming District Secondary School “as soon as the snow melts,” he said.
“We are out at it three days a week from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the early stages. Then, mid-May, the workouts get tougher and expand to four days a week for final prep for the Ontario Masters Championships.”
He said the Club will design workouts for specific races to help runners improve their times.
The TMTRC is a member of Ontario Masters Athletics and the Canadian Masters Athletic Association. There is a small fee to join the Club, after which members are eligible for provincial and national events.
“There is a road racing circuit that a runner can enter, as many as they want, as well as cross-country running races that start up in September right through ’til November,” said Morin.
Taking part in Masters events is a great way to learn how to keep in shape and improve as runners, he said.
At York “we received some great tips from athletes and coaches to take with us. One of them is deep water running (in the pool) during the winter months to keep you injury free by the time the outdoor season starts.”
“Our next meet will be the indoor competitions that start in January at the York University Indoor Track. We are hoping more athletes will join us to prepare for this meet. It is unknown at this time where we will be able to do our training indoors. We are open to suggestions.”
But first on his list of priorities is the Jumpstart pledge.
Supporters are invited to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch on September 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Mark’s Work Wearhouse.
For more information on the 20 Mile Challenge and the Temiskaming Masters Track and Running Club, email Morin at bobbymorin@ntl.sympatico.ca.