World Record Walk | Look Who Walked

WRW: World Record Walk - October 3rd, 2007

Look Who Walked

The Look Who Walked page is for interest only, and is not a comprehensive listing of community events.

MHS
Clarington
Mayor David Miller, City of Toronto
First Canadian Place, Toronto
Garden City Wanderers
Saskatchewan in motion
Enbridge Gas Distribution, Toronto
Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club
George P. Mackie Junior Public School
Fort Erie YMCA
South West Area Recreation Guild (SWARG)
Dundonald Elementary School
Active Edmonton, Alberta
York Region, Ontario
Kingston Gets Active
Lindsay Collegiate & Vocational Institute
The Surrey Trekkers Volkssport Club, British Columbia
Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario
Resource Conservation Manitoba
Alexandra Marine & General Hospital
Espanola General Hospital
Markham, Ontario
City of Brantford
The County of Brant
GO₂
Waterfront Trail
Park-To-Park Trail
New Brunswick Trails Council
Hayley Wickenheiser
Earl Buxton School, Edmonton, Alberta
Blind River, Ontario
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario
South Temiskaming Travel Organization (STATO)
Ministry of Education, Nepean, Ontario
St. Peter Catholic Elementary School, St. Catharines, Ontario
Loyalist College, Belleville, Ontario
Guelph, Ontario
Town of Orangeville, Ontario
Town of Minto, Ontario
Centre Wellington, Ontario
University of Guelph
Wilfred Laurier University, Brantford Campus
Town of Ajax, Ontario
Walk21 Conference delegates
Green Communities Canada members
David Crombie


	"I use my pedometer and try to take at least 10,000 steps each day because walking is one of the best ways to lead a more active and healthy life. The World Record Walk will encourage people to walk more and the Ministry of Health Promotion is pleased to support this year’s walk," Jim Watson, Ontario’s first Minister of Health Promotion.


	MHS develops, publishes and distributes innovative assessments for children and adolescents in the areas of depression, ADHD, anxiety, and psychopathology. MHS believes wholeheartedly in work-life balance for its employees and are encouraging all staff to walk, for the joy of it and to contribute to the World Record total on Oct. 3rd. http://www.mhs.com


	Clarington is excited to be participating in the World Record Walk and hopes to motivate as many residents as possible to join the Walkolution! Mayor Jim Abernethy is extremely supportive of the event and the International Charter for Walking. He would like to invite everybody to come out to Clarington on October 3 to join us as we walk to raise awareness! Come on out so you can say "I walked the walk in Clarington!" Mayor Jim Abernethy signing the International Charter for Walking with Mandy Johnson, Green Communities Canada and Erica Mittag, Fitness Coordinator, Municipality of Clarington. http://www.clarington.net/htdocs/index.html


	“I encourage all Torontonians to take part in the World Record Walk on Wednesday October 3rd, 2007. This exciting event is a great way to celebrate our city and promote healthy, active living. October will also be proclaimed as a month of walking activities in Toronto and as co-hosts of the Walk21 Toronto 2007 conference, I am proud of our commitments to making a walkable city. Let’s show the world that Toronto walks!” – Mayor David Miller. http://www.toronto.ca/health/walkintohealth/index.htm

Located in downtown Toronto, First Canadian Place is an impressive 2.8 million sq. ft. office, banking, shopping complex and parking. With 72-storeys, the office tower has remained unchallenged as the tallest office building in Canada since it was constructed in 1975. Operated by Brookfield Properties, FCP tenants will be out for a refreshing 15 min. in the financial district under the leadership of personal trainers Barb Gormley and Tanya Vrga from MOVE! FCP Walking Club.

http://www.fcpfirst.com


	On behalf of the Volkssport walking clubs of Victoria, the Garden City Wanderers are organizing a World Record Walk to take place at 9:30 am local time and we are inviting everyone who can to join us for the one kilometre walk. Of course we Volkssporters love to walk and are looking forward to walking through the lovely streets and walkways of our city. For more information about Garden City wanderers, visit www.members.shaw.ca/gardencitywanderers/ or for information on the Canadian Volkssport Federation, check out www.walks.ca.


	Saskatchewan *in motion* encourages the province’s *in motion* schools, workplaces and communities to be part of the Walkolution. October is *in motion* month in Saskatchewan and the World Record Walk is being promoted as part of *in motion’s* OctoberFit activities. Across the province, walking plays an important part in the *in motion* movement’s efforts to make the people of Saskatchewan the healthiest, most physically active in Canada.


	At Enbridge Gas Distribution, we tailor our health and wellness programs so that they are relevant to all of our employees and their families, as well as in response to changing demographics and emerging issues. Enbridge offers employees free membership at a 3800 square foot on-site fitness facility. The company also sponsors selected programs such as the Employee Vanpool to enhance the work-life balance of our employees and in doing so Enbridge is pleased to participate in this event.


	For those looking to experience the beauty of the Bruce Trail on WRW day, a hike on the trails in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, will be led by the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club. Non-members are welcome. Meet 9.30 a.m. in the parking lot of Mono Centre Community Centre. From Airport Road between Hwy. 89 and Hwy. 9 take Dufferin County Road #8 WEST for 6.3 km. through village of Mono Centre. Turn left at T-intersection (SR15) to Mono Centre Community Centre parking lot. Bring lunch, snacks, water. Distance to be hiked approximately 10 kms with a 1 km section to be completed at exactly 12:30 pm. See Map 19 Bruce Trail guide ed. 24.0. Contact: Diana 905-729-3107


	“At George P. Mackie, the students love to stay physically fit and active. We are all looking forward to showing our love for fitness by joining the World Record Walk!” http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/georgemackie/index.htm

Fort Erie YMCA: Building strong kids, families and communities. The Fort Erie YMCA and the community are excited to participate in the World Record Walk. The walk will be held at the “POND” between the YMCA and Town Hall. Please be there for 12:15 to register. “Count us in Ontario, we have our walking shoes on”

For more Info, please contact Shannon Lamoureux, Fitness & Wellness Director/ Volunteer Coordinator, Email: shannon_lamoureux@ymca.ca


	The South West Area Recreation Guild (SWARG) is pleased to announce our commitment to participating in the World Record Walk on October 3. Representing Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton, SWARG leads Southwestern Ontario in motion! The tri-region is encouraging children, youth and adults to put their best foot forward and get in motion. We have planned world record walks in: Windsor, Leamington, Lakeshore, Chatham, Wallaceburg, Blenheim, Lambton County, Aylmer and the Township of Mahahide. We are ready to break this record!


	Dundonald Elementary School is excited about being part of the World Record Walk. Our school has been an “In Motion School” in Saskatoon for 5 years. Our students go for regular walks as well as taking part in all the activities that our In Motion committee organizes for us. One of our initiatives this year will be organizing activities (for the students and staff) in regards to the summer Olympics in China. We all look forward to our various activities in 2007-08!

Active Edmonton, Alberta: the enthusiasm and support from the Edmonton region has been amazing and as a result a number of walk sites will be set up throughout Edmonton. To date, the participating partners and WRW sites include Active Edmonton with walk sites at Shaw Conference Centre/Louise McKinney Park and the legislative grounds; YMCA with sites at Jaimie Platz, Castledowns, and William Lutskey; on campus at the University of Alberta; Intuit Canada; Stantec and City of Edmonton.

The WRW event falls in conjunction with the SHAPE (Safe Healthy Active People Everywhere) ‘Walk to School Week’ campaign so Edmonton will have a strong showing from its youth in support of WRW. For more information on this event and walk sites in Edmonton visit www.activedmonton.ca.


	York Region, Ontario: employees at the Regional Municipality of York are excited to take part in the World Record Walk 2007! The event is being hosted by York Region’s Employee Workplace Wellness Program - ‘Wellness Works!’ The walk will take place at eight Regional locations including offices in the Town of Newmarket, Markham, Richmond Hill and the City Vaughan. This is an excellent opportunity to encourage employees to get out and be active on their lunch break. York Region supports this health promoting initiative! www.yorkregion.ca


	Kingston Gets Active is working with several partners to organize a Walkolution Event on Wednesday, October 3rd to help break the Guinness World Record. Several different starting points will be set up at the one kilometer mark fanning out from Kingston’s new Market Square. Students from St. Lawrence College Fitness& Health Promotion Program will act as numbers trackers. Walkers will converge on Market Square to live music and cameras to record the occasion. The Town Crier will proclaim our initial job done but challenge us to choose to walk to our destination more often and begin a healthy new habit. The signing of the International Charter for Walking by Mayor Rosen will draw attention to how we can create a healthy, sustainable community where people choose to walk. One kilometer walks are also planned for schools and individual work sites, all starting at 12:30 pm.

Lindsay Collegiate & Vocational Institute and Central Senior School from Lindsay, Ontario are doing a joint walk. We’re excited about the opportunity to break the World Record!

The Surrey Trekkers Volkssport Club, British Columbia: The Surrey Trekkers Volkssport Club was formed in 1991 to promote Volkssporting, which are non-competitive events, for which most walkers receive credit for participating. Awards are given for accumulated distance and number of events completed regardless of speed or time taken to complete them. Everyone is welcome. Most walks in the Lower Mainland, usually a 10 km route, start at 10:00 am Saturday and Sunday. Our motto is “Fun, Fitness, Friendship” (with the 4th F - Food is added to the friendship, following the walks!) The Club website is http://members.shaw.ca/trekkers053/.

On October 3 we are hoping members of the Surrey community will join us for a 1 km walk, with a 5 km option for those who wish to receive credit. The walk will be at Bear Creek Park, 13750 – 88 Avenue, Surrey starting at 9:30 am. Contact Brenda Dudfield, 604-584-1900 dudfield@shaw.ca


	Downsview Park: Downsview Park is a unique urban recreational green space developed according to the principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability for Canadians to enjoy in all seasons. Consisting of 572 acres of land that was previously owned by the Department of National Defence, Downsview Park takes pride in natural systems and urban forms and engages the public through its many recreational, cultural, social and educational programs and seasonal and special events. The community is invited to experience and explore Downsview Park while participating in the World Record Walk. www.pdp.ca

Resource Conservation Manitoba: Manitobans have a great track record for supporting active transportation and healthy living with programs such as in motion, Moving Around Manitoba, Commuter Challenge, and Active and Safe Routes to School. And now, we want to join our fellow Canadians to break a world record and be part of a Walkolution! Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM), a non-profit centre for applied sustainability and member of Green Communities Canada, is coordinating the World Record Walk in Manitoba with support from Manitoba in motion.

Lise Smith, WRW coordinator for RCM, states that “although event planning is the early phases, we are confident that Manitobans will be a significant portion of the total world record count on October 3rd.” To date, there have been discussions with schools, workplaces, trail organizations, community groups and municipalities about hosting WRW events. If you would like to learn more about WRW events in Manitoba or share your ideas, Lise would love to hear from you. You can reach her at 204-925-3773 or worldwalk@resourceconservation.mb.ca.


	Alexandra Marine & General Hospital is a 66-bed hospital providing acute, long term, psychiatric, emergency and ambulatory services. Many community services are provided including cardiology investigation, diagnostic imaging, diabetes education, physiotherapy, speech and language pathology and many more. We are organizing as many of our hospital employees as possible to join in the World Record Walk and we will be encouraging community members to come and join us or organize their own events.

Espanola is a small, but vibrant community, located 60 km west of Sudbury, Ontario. The Espanola General Hospital & Wellness Committee is committed to the health and wellness of their employees and as part of our plan we are very excited to have our co-workers and their families participate in the World Record Walk. The committee promotes employee involvement, as our facility takes a shared approach to developing and sustaining both organizational and individual health. The Espanola General Hospital challenges all other healthcare facilities, to join in the fun and get out there and walk for a great cause… your health!

Espanola General Hospital, Wellness Committee

“Participating in World Record Walk day is a natural for Markham. As a leader in Transportation Demand Management, we’re actively working to provide commuters with options and choices to the single-occupant vehicle like carpools, transit and active modes of transportation. Markham’s Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee works with our residents and community stakeholders to develop an integrated cycling and trail network and promote active transportation — we’ll be investing $6 million, including a portion of our share of the Gas Tax, over the next six years to add another 120 km to the network. Markham’s Recreation Department also participates in Active 2010--a comprehensive strategy to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout Ontario. Getting active is the right thing to do for our health, our environment, the economy and the community. Members of Markham Council and I look forward to joining communities all across Ontario for the 1 km walk on World Record Walk day.” Markham Mayor, Frank Scarpitti.

www.markham.ca

World Record Walk Coordinator Harry Sawchuk and Cindy Jessome of WalkON welcome Brantford's Mayor Mike Hancock to the Walkolution and the World Record Walk 2007.

Quote from the Mayor of Brantford:
"On behalf of my Council colleagues, it is my privilege to support the World Record Walk Day planned for October 3rd, 2007.

The World Record Walk Day will instill awareness in the benefits of physical activity amongst our community members and Ontario’s challenge to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people walking 1 kilometre at the same time.

When the community can honour acts of concern for the health and well-being of our citizens, it is our responsibility to do so.

The Mayor’s Office is delighted and proud to support this year’s World Record Walk. We wish you all the best in achieving your goal to break the Guinness World Record with thousands of feet taking to the pavement and learning about the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle."


	The County of Brant Parks and Recreation is pleased to be a part of the World Record Walk and will be promoting this event as a Workplace Wellness Initiative. There will be three starting locations in Paris, St. George and Burford in order to make this event accessible to all residents within the County of Brant. The County of Brant is an active participant in promoting active and healthy living through our recreation programs available to all ages. Come out and enjoy active walk through our beautiful county!


	GO₂ , Calgary's own physical activity initiative, will be walking to help Canada set the new Guinness World Record. The vision of GO₂ is that all Calgarians incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives in a healthy, vibrant city. This world record breaking event is another way to raise awareness about the benefits and joy of walking! www.go2calgary.com


	The Waterfront Trail has 900 km of signed routes that meander along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Stretching from Niagara to Quebec it is a celebration of nature and culture - where peaceful countryside, small towns, and big cities are linked in bringing residents and visitors together. Plan your World Record Walk event on the Southern Ontario shores of the Waterfront Trail by logging on to www.waterfronttrail.org The Waterfront Regeneration Trust will be starting our walk for the World Record Walk at the east end of Coronation Park in Toronto on the north side of HMCS York. It is located just off of Lakeshore Blvd. W. - between Fort York Blvd. and Bathurst St. There is a Waterfront Trail sign that we will meet at. People can park at Ontario place and walk over. We will walk towards Ontario Place and do a loop of Coronation Park. If people would like to join us or want more information they can contact Petrina at: W – 416-943-8080 C – 416-458-6859 pt@wrtrust.com


	The Park-To-Park Trail is a regional initiative to create an east-west link through Parry Sound/Muskoka Districts, and Haliburton County. Connecting Killbear Provincial Park to Algonquin Provincial Park, this 230 kilometre length of trail is a destination for all trail enthusiasts. Park-to-Park is happy to be participating in this great event for the second year in a row!!! Let's get walking!! www.parktoparktrail.com


	New Brunswick Trails Council: Our mission is to advocate the concerns of non-motorized trail users and promote enhanced health, wellness, and enjoyment for residents and visitors through responsible use of a safe non-motorized trail network. www.sentiernbtrail.com


	Two-time Olympic gold medalist and Team Canada MVP, Hayely Wickenheiser talks about the Walkolution. Watch the video.


	"It was great fun and everyone enjoyed walking and being part of the world record (in May 2005). It was easy to organize and we will be participating in 2007 as Canada tries to break the latest world record." Cathy Gladwin, Parent Organizer, Earl Buxton School, Edmonton. Students at Earl Buxton School, Edmonton, Alberta


	Blind River is a small community of 3,600 located on the North Channel of Lake Huron. But despite their small size their ambitious goal is to encourage 1,000 to participate in the World Record Walk! Sally Hagman, Active Living Coordinator says, "We are proud to be the first community to register for the World Record Walk and delighted with our StepsCount pedometer kit as a reward." Mayor Bob Gallagher (front), Councilor HP Roy and Councillor Alex Solomon, Chris Clark, Jack Gordon, George and Marilyn Kerr of the Blind River Entertainment Committee. Blind River, Ontario


	"Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph is a community that is *in motion! We are launching the in motion* initiative to coincide with the World Record Walk, and have over 10 municipalities participating. We believe that we can break the world record right here in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph!!" Karen Armstrong: In-Motion Coordinator.


	"Our Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is pleased to be the 2nd Municipality registered for this record breaking walk! Our community challenges all of our surrounding municipalities in joining the ‘Walkolution’!!! We can work together for this great cause!!" – Joe Lotto, Recreation & Events Programmer. Joe Lotto with Library pedometer tool kit from StepsCount as prize for being second municipality to register. Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario


	Back in April 2007, a couple of STATO directors participated in a Trails Conference in North Bay, where they heard about the World Record Walk. STATO Director, Linda St. Cyr, "...thought that this was exactly the type of activity we like to plan to promote physical activity as well as our walkway all together!” She adds, "To our big surprise, STATO received 50 StepsCount pedometers as an early bird prize... We are very grateful for this as we plan to use the pedometres for some of our fundraising events and walking activities. We are really looking forward to planning and hosting the event in our community, being part of the "Walkolution" ... and helping to set a new WORLD RECORD!"


	"A Class Act" is the name of a corporate team and congratulations go out to the Ontario Ministry of Education, Field Services Branch, located in Nepean, Ontario. As the first workplace event registered "A Class Act" won an early bird prize (a set of StepsCount pedometers). Organizer Jacques Torjman adds, "We thank you and the organization for the pedometers as well as the accompanying kit. Our team is comprised of 13 participants including our manager, education officers, public inquiries officer, policy analyst, financial officer, and our administrative assistant. We plan to walk the required distance on October 3 and to log the results so that we will be able to break the current record set by Western Australia. We are confident that we will succeed in breaking this record! We enjoy walking as an exercise and remain committed to promoting good health and wellness." Ministry of Education, Nepean, Ontario


	St. Peter School is located in South St. Catharines and as the second Ontario school to register for the WRW they received a school pedometer kit from StepsCount, consisting of a class set (36) of pedometers and a teacher’s toolkit. The school, an active participant in Green Communities IWALK Club, the students have walked all year during Day 1 lunch recess period. Inclement weather doesn’t stop them – they have walked laps in the gym, walked the halls, and climbed the stairs. Lisa Gammie, ERT states: “We encourage a fun time and have played some good tunes when needing to walk laps in the gymnasium. Our primary students really enjoy the activity especially during our winter indoor walks! We will be walking again next year and look forward to Oct. 3rd. Thank you so much for the school pedometer kit – what an awesome prize!” St. Peter Catholic Elementary School, St. Catharines, Ontario


	Loyalist College is enthusiastically awaiting the "Walk With The President" event on October 3rd, with College President Maureen Piercy. Loyalist's Recreation & Leisure and Fitness & Health Promotion Program students will be planning and coordinating the event at the College. For further information on Loyalist's plans the College contact person is Doug Lafreniere at lafrenie@loyalistc.on.ca. Loyalist College, Belleville, Ontario


	“I encourage everyone in the community to participate in this World Record Walkon October 3. Walking and biking are excellent modes of transportation. Not only do they promote a healthy, active lifestyle; they also produce no greenhouse gas emissions. As an added bonus, walking or cycling home after a day’s work is a great way to unwind!” Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge. Mayor Karen Farbridge (Left) Guelph, Ontario


	“We can all walk 1 km on World Record Walk day and consider it a short hike on the path to changing public attitudes about the importance of regular physical activity. The Town of Orangeville supports the World Record Walk and residents will be out in full force at two different venues to make tracks on our trails. The Town of Orangeville is also taking advantage of this special event to launch the *in motion* campaign – a comprehensive physical activity promotion strategy. We hope this strategy leads to awareness and action around healthier lifestyles and gets us all *in motion* and in better health.” Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams. Mayor Rob Adams Town of Orangeville, Ontario


	"The Town of Minto is proud to be a part of the World Record Walk on October 3rd, with residents walking on all three of our community trails. The Town of Minto is an active promoter of physical activity and healthy lifestyles and is pleased to be involved with the *in motion* physical activity promotion strategy, which will further improve the lives of all our residents. David Anderson, Mayor, Town of Minto." Mayor David Anderson prepares for the Redneck Games Horseshoe Competition – yes, it is a physical activity! Town of Minto, Ontario


	Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross Zuj has endorsed In-Motion health strategy aimed at increasing physical activity. The annual local golf tournament kicked of the challenge – play in a park; walk or bike a trail; work in the garden or play a round of golf, there’s lots of opportunities to get active in Centre Wellington. Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross Zuj. Centre Wellington, Ontario


	“I believe passionately in the importance of physical activity in our lives. I know that I am more productive, happier, and healthier when I am exercising. I am particularly concerned about the inactivity of our youth. It is for this reason that I am pleased to support the *in motion* project. I support this both as a senior member of the University of Guelph administration but also as the president of the board of the Guelph YMCA-YWCA. This program will make a difference! Local residents and University of Guelph students will be *in motion* for the World Record Walk on October 3rd.” - Brenda Whiteside, VP Student Affairs, University of Guelph. Vice-President of the University of Guelph, Brenda Whiteside University of Guelph


	Wilfrid Laurier University – Brantford Campus is pleased to support the World Record Walk and is excited to be the first university to join in this incredible initiative. Laurier Brantford, a campus of 1700 students is planning to motivate 1000 of our students, staff and faculty to walk together on October 3, 2007 for this cause. We truly believe in this mission of increasing physical activity in the Brantford community and across Canada. It is our hope that the participation of Wilfrid Laurier University – Brantford Campus will encourage and inspire other universities to follow our lead. We challenge every post-secondary institution in Canada (big or small) to join your own community and the nation, in achieving a ‘new’ World Record!! Wilfrid Laurier University – Brantford


	"Ajax is proud to be one of the first communities to register for the Ontario World Record Walk! I personally challenge the mayors of other communities to join me in supporting this important event. Not only does a community that actively walks and bikes have healthier residents and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but has safer neighbourhoods because of a greater presence of responsible, caring people out and about in the community. Join Ajax in contributing to a national 'Walkolution'!" Steve Parish Mayor of Ajax Town of Ajax, Ontario Council Report


	All Toronto Walk21 2007 delegates will be invited to join in on smashing the world record. Two World Record Events will take place; one at the close of the Wednesday plenary and the other for our YWALK Global Youth Forum delegates. http://www.toronto.ca/walk21

W.R.T.

"The World Record Walk is a great idea and a fun challenge for us. I love walking - - it is my favourite way to enjoy the city and travel from place to place. Ontario has some of the finest walking opportunities thanks to the Waterfront Trail. I encourage everyone to get out on October 3rd to help us set a new world record and begin a new healthy habit."

David Crombie,
Founding Chair of
Waterfront Regeneration Trust