All summer long

Charleswood

Organizers at Roblin Park Community Centre are encouraging folks to lace-up up their running shoes.

The Roblin Park Running Club is described on the centre’s website as a fun, friendly, and welcoming way to get active, meet one’s neighbours, explore the community, and build fitness together.

According to key organizer and RPCC board member Heidi Ouellette, the idea came about last fall when the potential to hold a community run was explored, which developed into a fall festival with the run being part of that. The run was “a really big success,” Ouellette said.

The running club will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. at the Charleswood-based centre, which is located at 640 Pepperloaf Cres.; there will be no sessions on Aug. 1 or Sept. 5 in light of upcoming long weekends. After the Saturday sessions, participants are invited to stay for coffee, snacks and conversations.

“It’s about bringing people together in new, fun ways,” Ouellette said, noting last year’s festival had a fundraising component, with funds being raised to enhance the centre’s toboggan run. “The running club is a natural extension of this and a way to bring people together all summer long.”

“Historically, some of the club’s main focuses have been the hockey program and daycare, but the running club is for everyone – everyone is the community,” she said.

“It’s for everyone, whether you identify as a runner or not. It’s such a fun and welcoming group of people, and it’s a social gathering and a place to meet neighbours and friends. Some people are lacing up their shoes for the first time. And I’m not this running guru … I’m an enthusiastic instigator” she added.

To emphasize the club’s all-inclusive ethos, participants can be absolute beginners or seasoned runners. No membership or registration is required, and folks are welcome to take part regularly or occasionally.

Each running club session offers two route options, which will help participants incrementally build up to the run at this year’s fall festival – a 1.5 kilometre route to build towards a 5 km course, and a 3.5 km route to build towards a 10 km course. The Roblin Park Fall Fest Fun Run will also feature a 1 km course.

People should note the running club gatherings are informal community events and may not have designated adult supervision, and children under 12 are encouraged to participate with a parent or caregiver.

Registration for the fall festival run will open shortly. The festival will be held on Sept. 25 and 26, with the run taking place on Sept. 26.

Go online at www.roblinpark.org/runningclub for more information.