| Gerry Walsh and Rod McCulloch
wanted to encourage active living in Nova Scotia. The two friends
had run marathons in other cities around the world and thought
the idea could work here at home, with a difference. They wanted
to create a marathon that would welcome runners and walkers of
all ages and levels, and treat them all like elite athletes. They
wanted to get youth moving by holding a separate event just for
them. And they wanted a route that would show off the best of
Halifax.
With the help of 700 brave and weather-oblivious
volunteers, they did it. Even the buckets of rain that fell on
the event couldn't keep 5,500 people away from the 2005 Blue Nose
International Marathon. That's an increase of about 2,000 people
over the first year's event! And they were successful at getting
youth involved; schools offered running programs to help the kids
get ready.
The Marathon's mascot, Myles, says it all.
With his average frame and short legs, he represents the 'every
person;' if he can run it, so can any of us. His big blue nose
is a nod to Nova Scotia, the Bluenose province of Canada. And
his enthusiastic Give'Er! rallies us all to do our best. Funds
raised from the event went back to the community with the official
charity being the YMCA.
Rod and Gerry want to make Nova Scotia
a healthier place to live, and so does Health Promotion. That's
why we're proud to support community partners.
Physical Activity is one of six
key strategic areas Nova Scotia Health Promotion has identified
and is addressing to make Nova Scotia healthier. Find out more
about our other initiatives:
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