Run For Rural Medicine Changing 'Direction'

By 250 News

Pre-race mingling outside the Hart Community Centre on Heather Road

Prince George, B.C. -  A brisk wind and a few fine snowflakes did not dampen enthusiasm for this morning's 6th Annual Run for Rural Medicine which began at the Hart Community Centre...

More than 100 people braved the chilly morning to take part in a collaborative effort between the 2013 Grad Class of the Northern Medical Program and the Prince George Roadrunners.

Roadrunners spokesperson, Cory Watts, says today is also the 15th annual running of the club's Hart Half-marathon.  He says it made sense to link the two events, "Why re-create something that already exists, we said just join us and we'll put on the race and they can spend their time and energy on the fundraising and recruiting more people and it works really well together."

Natalja Tchajkova and Everett Versteeg are second year students with the Northern Medical Program and co-organized the Rural Medicine Run.  The run takes place in Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria.  "It started to help suport rural rotations for us medical school students, but, as a class, we decided that we would like to use the funds this year to sponsor a society in Prince George," says Tchajkova.  "So we're sponsoring the New Hope Society this year."  (click on photo at right for video clip of race start)

She says the event has really morphed into an opportunity for community engagement.  Versteeg adds that, in the past, the runs raised about $100-dollars for each student and it was decided the money might have a bigger impact if it were pooled and given to charity.  A classmate sits on the board of the Prince George New Hope Society, which, Tchajkova says, is on the verge of closing its doors, "So this funding is actually very significant to them and even just to promote awareness in the community."

NMP Grad Class of 2013 student, Heidi Mader (far right in photo), was out with her three children and extended family to take part in the 1K family race. 

"That's the new installment this year to bring out families and get fitness and families together," she says.  It was her children's first-ever race and they completed the circuit in about ten-minutes - all smiles at their accomplishment.  Mader, originally from Vancouver, says she's a local now and says she's really enjoying the medical program.

Also heading out for her first-ever race was Cory Watts' daughter, Morgen, who's almost four.  Morgen had mom, Harmony, and brother, Sebastian, to keep her company. (photo below)

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