Good exercise.
Riding the Stetch by the River course, from left, are Carmen Goold of the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, the Heart Institute’s Anna Fuite (who led the Stretch warm-up), Renfrew County director of emergency services Mike Nolan and University of Ottawa Heart Institute regional manager Jane Brownrigg.
John Carter
Undeterred by an underwhelming turnout June 27, organizers of Stretch by the River are already talking about ways to attract more people to the event next year.
“It’s unfortunate that the attendance at the Stretch did not do justice to the effort and quality that went in to it,” said McNab-Braeside Mayor Mary Campbell. “We will have to rethink this one.”
Jane Brownrigg, regional manager of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, which sponsors the event with the Renfrew County Paramedics and Ontario Power Generation, agrees. The exercise event, which started last year with the first Stretch by the River in the Braeside area, is still in its infancy, she noted. However, there are some promising signs for the event, which is spreading throughout Renfrew County.
A Golden Lake Stretch was held Wednesday with walks planned for Barry’s Bay and the Pembroke area. A proposed walk between Renfrew and Calabogie on the K&P Trail is generating a great deal of interest.
Brownrigg said Stretch by the River organizers would like to build on the overwhelming success of the winter walking program at Arnprior District High School, which had 477 registered participants when it closed for the summer.
If publicized well, a Stretch by the River soon after the walking program’s break could attract many of those participants to an outside exercise event, said Brownrigg.
Noting Rick and Bailey Rogers enchanted participants at Red Pine Bay with their music between the 4 and 7 p.m. walks, she said a free concert will also be considered as a way to bring in people.
“We need to hold a debriefing to discuss new ways to attract the community,” she said.
Renfrew County director of emergency services Michael Nolan said the Paramedics are looking forward to expanding the event across the county. It’s important to give people a safe, enjoyable place to show how important exercise is to a community’s health, he said.
Prior to walking the route, Andy Kalnins, a quintuple bypass recipient, stressed to participants at the opening ceremony how crucial it is to exercise and keep in good shape.
Campbell urged people to find their passion, whether it be pedaling, hiking or tai chi, and exercise regularly.
She thanked Nolan and Brownrigg for continuing to hold the Sunday Stretch as part of McNab Days, OPG for its sponsorship, McNab-Braeside Firefighters Association for the barbecue, and Andy and Anda Kalnins and Rick Rogers for all the organizational effort.