What started out as a school project for one École Évangéline student is shaping up to be a recurring athletic event in the community.
Shelaine Gallant and her teacher advisor, vice-principal Dominique Morency, together organized La Course d’Honnuer/The Honour Run in 2017. It was a 10-km run or with an option for a 5-km run/walk.
The event was designed to support the Canadian Cancer Society and was part of a project for Gallant’s Grade 12 global issues class.
But with Gallant’s graduation from the school last year, her studies at UPEI and no access to the same funding program that helped them previously, the women were unsure if they would be able to bring the run back for a second year.
Then Gallant suffered a terrible loss. Her grandmother, Shirlee MacDonald, passed away in November from cancer.
“For me it was the deciding factor, to do it again in her honour,” said Gallant.
She and Morency got to work earlier this year drumming up community support again. The Évangéline area business community responded, donating prize items or otherwise offering to help in some way. They have partnered with the Running Room for some items like the time board and start and finish line markers.
Last year’s run was, until then, the only official running event in the Evangeline area. Another run, Course du Festival Acadien, has since started.
Morency said she wanted to see La Course d’Honnuer continue because getting a running event started in the Evangeline area has been an ambition of hers for a while, and she didn’t want to see it fade away after only one year.
“I’m proud of it and I think we do bring something to the community, more than just raising money,” said Morency.
Last year’s run raised $1,200 for the Canadian Cancer Society and attracted 60 adult runners and about 30 kids.
This year’s run, which is a fun run only, will take place June 2, with registration from 8 to 9 a.m. and runners setting off at 9:15. The registration table, starting point and end point will all be at École Évangéline. There will be light refreshments at the school and door prizes will be handed out there as well.
Participants have the option of doing a 5-km run for $10 or walking that distance for $5 and the 10-km run is $20 while the 1-km kids event is $2.
Registration is cash only. The event will go ahead rain or shine.
The money raised during the morning run will be presented during the local Relay for Life, which is later the same day.
Information about the event is also available online at www.lacoursedhonneur.yolasite.com.
@JournalPMacLean
