1,200 runners take part in Montreal’s YMCA Challenge

Montrealers laced up their sneakers and hit the trails Saturday to raise funds in support of vulnerable youth in the province.

The “Walk-and-Run Challenge” – by the YMCAs of Québec Foundation – helps children and families in vulnerable situations while promoting physical and mental health, and community spirit.

“When you see all these kids and families come together and run together, walk together, actually socialize like this, this is what we’re all about,” said Stéphane Vaillancourt, president and CEO of YMCAs of Québec.

The event consisted of multiple races of various distances – up to 15km long – at Maisonneuve Park.

“We will be reaching $140,000 today through this race and more will be coming in after the event,” Vaillancourt said. “You know, we had 1,200 people registering for this event today.”

Vaillancourt says 800 young people and families benefited from the Walk-and-Run Challenge last year.

“Whether it be in these events or inside our walls or in program locations where we do our work, when people come in the door and they meet with other people, they learn new skills, they learn to socialize, they learn to gain self-esteem,” he said.

The money raised helps initiatives like the YMCA integrated recreation companion program.

“For those that have varying needs, they might need that extra support,” said program coordinator Raquel Roth.

“It’s free of charge for anyone in the camps, in the community programming, and it allows having that support to make sure that Ys are welcoming and accessible places.”

David Latour, president of the challenge’s organizing committee, says it’s all about keeping kids active an engaged.

“The YMCA is very well known for the fitness centres that they have mostly in the west part of the island, but also all those programs that they have for kids to make sure that they integrate sports at a young age as part of their lifestyle,” Latour said.

“As a father of two young boys, soon three, I’m very excited to be here to make sure that other kids that maybe don’t have the same chance that they do to help them so they can participate.”

Roth describes the YMCA community as a “loop,” where participants often come back years later as volunteers or staff members.

“One of our youth with an intellectual disability, he came, joined the Y and with his buddy, companion, he was able to participate once a week in group sports,” she said. “Then after school, he was coming every day to the Y as much as he could. And finally, now he’s a younger adult, he’s actually one of our volunteers for group sports.”