Commonwealth Games Canada’s “Game of Life” Run/Walk Series in the National Capital Region on Canada Day 2013

OTTAWA, ON (June 21, 2013) - The 2013 Game of Life Run/Walk Series is taking place in Ottawa and Gatineau on July 1, 2013. Join Honourary Chair Chantal Petitclerc, Canada’s most decorated athlete, Custio Clayton, Canada’s champion boxer and 2012 Olympian, and John Stanton, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Running Room, and start off Canada Day by celebrating sport, health, physical activity and our nation’s birthday.

    

The 2nd Annual Canada Day Game of Life 10K, 5K and 1K Run/Walk course starts at the Ontario entrance to the Alexandra Bridge and finishes on Laurier Street at Jacques Cartier Park. The run/walk takes you through the streets of the national capital region, past iconic heritage landmarks such as the Parliament Buildings, Confederation Square, the National Gallery of Canada, the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Organized by Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) in collaboration with the National Capital Commission and sponsors the Running Room and Mizuno Canada, this locally run event has a definite global purpose. CGC supports the social development of individuals, communities and organizations within Commonwealth countries using the transformative power of sport. All registration proceeds from the run go to support the Bowling Out AIDS program, one of CGC’s sport for development initiatives in the Caribbean.

Chantal Petitclerc is also Chef de Mission for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Team, and she is enthusiastic in her support for CGC’s Beyond the Podium international programs. "These young men and women—future leaders in their communities—are working through sport to provide life-saving HIV/AIDS health education," says Ms. Petitclerc. "There’s a whole other component to what CGC does, and I’m delighted to be Honourary Chair of an event that will help to shine a light on these extraordinary people and international programs."

The 10K Run/Walk will start on the Alexandria Bridge on July 1at 8:00 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:10 a.m.   The 1K Kid’s Run/Walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. from the same location. The run/walk finish line will be located on Laurier Street at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec. Post-run/walk event activities such as face painting for the kids, a meet and greet with special guests and the 2013 Canada Day Game of Life Run/Walk awards ceremony will take place in Jacques Cartier Park. Each participant will receive a souvenir technical shirt, breathable Mizuno® shoe bag and a participant medal. There will also be Mizuno® and Running Room sponsored prizes for the top male, female and team finishers.

Online registration for the Game of Life Run/Walk is available on the CGC website at www.commonwealthgames.ca until June 27.

After June 27, in-person registration is available:

  • at the Running Room, 901 Bank Street, Ottawa, on:
    • June 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
    • June 29 and 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and
  • on site on race day at Jacques Cartier Park from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.  
     

About Bowling Out AIDS

An estimated 240,000+ people—half of them women—are living with HIV in the Caribbean, making it the second-most affected region in the world after sub-Saharan Africa. Commonwealth Games Canada’s Bowling Out AIDSisa social development through sport program improving young Caribbean cricket players’ sport skills and their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours around HIV/AIDS prevention. “The Bowling Out AIDS program is very important, since it improves cricket skills and young cricket players develop healthy lifestyles,” says Guyanese coach Vibert Johnson. In 2012, Commonwealth Games Canada’s Bowling Out AIDS program trained 338 coaches, reaching over 32,000 young cricket players in 7 Caribbean countries.

About Commonwealth Games Canada

Commonwealth Games Canada is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.

Brian McPherson
Chief Executive Officer
Commonwealth Games Canada
P: 613.244.6868 (ext.226)
E: brian@commonwealthgames.ca

Evélia Manac’h
Communications
2013 Game of Life Run/Walk
T: 819-360-3535
E: eveliamanach@gmail.com