THUNDER BAY -- A unique twist is being added to the third-oldest road race in Canada.
Ten firefighters have decided to run the Firefighters Ten Mile Road Race in full gear, each running a one-mile leg, honouring a beloved former firefighter and long-time race participant.
“We’re honoring the memory of Kevin Kennedy,” said Bill Falshaw, one of the 10 firefighters taking part in the relay during the May 22 event. “We’ve done some practice runs, and it’s a tough run but we’re all up for the challenge.”
Kennedy, a former Thunder Bay firefighter, died on a boating trip in 2011.
“We’re trying to complete the mile in under eight minutes,” said Falshaw. “A fast mile is eight minutes, but we have 50 pounds of gear… and all the air we get to breathe is through a small [oxygen] cylinder in your back.”
Additionally, all registration donations will support the Underground Gym and Youth Centre, who will have children running in the race.
“(This race) gets them to achieve goals that probably weren’t attainable without it,” said the Underground Gym's Peter Panetta. “That’s huge, and the bonus is we’re getting some badly needed funds as well.”
As of Thursday night, the event has 511 committed individual runners, with six days left for registration.
Race director Megan Shanks says the numbers are about average compared to recent years.
“We’re a little down right now in the interest sake of running,” said Shanks. “With the weather, and the ice storm, we had to look at a lot of safety issues, or people who don’t run as much.”
With the support from local sponsors, and new twists being added, Shanks hopes to get the total up to 600 by the end of next week.
