Pictured: Cross Lake and Poplar River Run Clubs along with Derek Reimer, Director of Business Development at the Manitoba Marathon, all eager to begin the race.

Seventeen community members from northern Manitoba ran in the Manitoba Marathon on Sunday, June 16, achieving goals and enjoying a fun weekend hosted by The North West Company.

The students from Cross Lake and Poplar River, MB, visited Winnipeg as a reward for their fundraising efforts towards the Healthy Horizons Foundation. They participated in Manitoba Marathon’s 10 km race, and every single student crossed the finish line! Many of the youth even beat their own goals and had so much fun that they plan to continue running in the future.

“I am running in the Manitoba Marathon to encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle for youth; especially in our community where it is important to keep busy and stay positive,” said a participant from Cross Lake.

The Healthy Horizons Run Club program is an initiative that helps students from northern communities stay healthy and active by encouraging them to train for multiple months prior to the race, and to continue to run in the future once the race is complete.

In addition to the marathon, the run clubs from Cross Lake and Poplar River spent the weekend in Winnipeg enjoying many activities provided by North West, including a trip to the movies, the Red River Exhibition, and an educational visit to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

“I am very proud of my runners,” said Jack Blacksmith, Coach of the Cross Lake Run Club. “It’s always good to have kids be physically active. Thank you very much North West Company, for doing that for the kids.”

The students found the experience to be extremely fun and said that it gave them a chance to learn about their culture and stay healthy in the process. The Run Clubs look forward to the event next year!