It’s always our resolution once spring rolls around to get more in shape; now the Yellowknife Women’s Society is trying to help Yellowknifers do that with a new Couch to 5K program that kicked off Monday.
The program will have two groups, one for those interested in running 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers respectively, and will meet three times a week for seven weeks.
“It’s just a group for people to come out and if they want to start running or maybe try to run a little bit further than they have in the past,” explained Bree Denning, executive director of the Yellowknife Women’s Society.
“We’ll be starting with a sort of run-walk program, eventually working up to 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers for each of those groups.”
The groups will be led by Denning or another experienced runner. Participants will be led on walks and short jogs around downtown, eventually working their way up to trails once it gets less icy out.
No cost – just donations or spreading the word
The price of admission? A simple cash donation, or you can spread the word to your friends or coworkers for a spot in the group.
“It really just depends what that person is willing to give. It doesn’t have to be a financial donation,” Denning said.
Gently used workout items can also be donated to help others start running or speed walking as well.
“We’re just looking for people to come out and see if they’re interested in helping us out and then learning to run,” Denning said.
Donations will help raise money to make physical activity more accessible to women, men and families in the city.
Proceeds will also go towards fundraising for Denning and their board chair, who are heading to Calgary for the Scotiabank marathon at the end of May.
Denning hopes to carry on the program into the summer to raise money for supplies and opportunities for more women and families in Yellowknife to access physical activity.
“The whole point is to make sure that running is accessible,” she explained.
The 5 kilometer running group will meet Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. outside the Centre for Northern Families’ new location on 54 Street.
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The 10 kilometer running group starts Tuesday. They will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.
