Runners and walkers of all ages gathered in pursuit of healthy excercise at the fourth annual Muskeg Creek Trail Run June 16 at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
The event hosted by Aspen Primary Care Network (PCN) invites people to participate in a variety of distance runs and walks, including five kilometres, 10 kilometres, 2.5 kilometres and a seniors walk. Participants raced through the Muskeg Creek trail system before returning to the Multiplex, with approximately 70 runners registered before the event began, according to an online registration page.
Aspen PCN excercise specialist Jon LeMessurier said the event originally began as a way to bring people together.
"it's just a nice initiative that gets everyone in the community out, brings the community together for the common goal of everybody being more physically active," LeMessurier said in an interview.
Everyone can travel at their own pace, LeMessurier said, allowing the event to better promote physical activity.
"They can walk, they can run, they can sprint the whole thing," LeMessurier said, adding the event attracts both seasoned run veterans and novices. "Really cool to see a lot of people that never would have thought they would ever do a race like this before going out and doing the best they can."
The event kicked off with a seniors walk, which featured seniors journeying around the Athabasca University area.
First-time seniors walk participant Fred Martin said the walk was a way to to socialize with people and get some exercise.
"I enjoy visiting with the people here and it helps with my health," Martin said in an interview.
The seniors walk helps show physical activity is not limited by age," LeMessurier said.
"One of the biggest parts of this event is just showing the youth and even all ages that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can be active at any age," he said.
Helene Prud'Homme participated in the five kilometre run and said the event a way to have some fun.
"Came out for good fun and sunshine and also to support the community," Prud'Homme said in an interview.
Aspen PCN executive director Luke Brimmage said the community has been very engaged with the event over the years.
"We've had a lot of success the past couple of years, with lots of people coming out and really enjoying it so we wanted to keep it going because we get lots of people engaged in the community," he said.
LeMessurier said the community volunteers and sponsors have kept the event successful enough to maintain.
"Physical activity is important to everybody and the community's done a great job of coming together to keep this event going," he said.
