| Chapter one... In the lead-up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics of 2010 the Vancouver Olympic Committee began planning the traditional Olympic Torch Relay. Along with hundreds of runners selected to carry the Torch a few Canadian communities were also selected to stage a community celebration to greet the Torch. Orangeville, Ontario was chosen. The town set up a Torch Relay Task Force. The Task Force needed to co-ordinate a series of performances by local athletes, dancers, musicians and singers. The gentleman given the job had previously choreographed opening day events for both the Toronto Skydome and Calgary's Winter Olympics. Roland Kirouac had the vision of a fast montage of performances. Snow boarders and skiers fly down a hillside; sky divers drop in with the Canadian flag; skaters on an outside rink; past and present local athletes take a curtain call; a snowmobile club does a musical ride; the entry of the Torch carried by local boxer Bryon Mackie; the release of white doves; all interspersed with acrobatics, music, singing and dancing on the outdoor stage. Orangeville had the perfect venue in the middle of town. As the action shifted and swirled about the local crowd, Roland saw the need to keep spectators pumped and looking in the right direction. For this job his vision was "marathon runners" carrying colourful pennants. Follow their flags as they run from point to point and follow the action. Nobody will miss the Torch as the "marathon runners" race out to greet and escort Bryon Mackie as he carries the Torch to the stage. A friend of Roland Kirouac's, Bob Collin was approached to assemble this group of runners. Bob has run the Boston Marathon twice and competes in a dozen races a year. For awhile it's been his desire to fill a local void and start a running club. Here was the opportunity. Bob chose the name Run Dufferin after the County he has lived, worked, and run in for 25 years. His first recruit was Cara Burleigh. Together, they recruited a dozen more runners strong and true. While not all had actually run a marathons yet, nevertheless.... ....so was born Run Dufferin and the Marathon Runners. Chapter two... December 28th the Torch Relay celebration went well and our Run Dufferin group bonded. We all affirmed Run Dufferin would move forward as an organization to promote all things running in Dufferin County. Word was out and more runners expressed interest. One month after our day of celebrity at the Torch ceremonies, six very committed runners met for a planning session at Shoeless Joe's. Our meeting on January 31st, 2010 set in motion a plan to fully launch come spring: Media exposure Reach out to all athletic groups Accumulate an email list of running enthusiasts Create a website of value to runners Produce a newsletter Set a date for a Run Dufferin organized road race Have scheduled running workouts Explore business and legal issues Chapter three... Spring of 2010 will find us positioned to host a general meeting. We will create standing committees, elect officers, offer memberships, and introduce to the community a multi-faceted organization promoting health, fitness, community, and.... running ! |
| Who are we ? |
| Choreographer Roland Kirouac |
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