SportMedBC hosted our annual Leader Training Day at separate events in Surrey and Kelowna this past weekend. Over 200 volunteer run leaders and clinic coordinators were in attendance for the event in Surrey held at Ecole Gabrielle Roy to learn about proper running and walking technique, emergency response protocols, motivating participants, and to hear inspiring stories from other longtime run leaders.
Now in its 25th year, the InTraining Program’s Leader Training Day is led by RunWalk Coach and former Canadian Olympic bronze-medalist, Lynn Kanuka. “Coach Lynn” as she is affectionately known helped develop the SportMed RunWalk programs and has been the RunWalk Coach since the program’s creation.
After a practical session on dynamic warm ups and static stretching cool-downs, leaders had the option of attending breakout sessions delivered by sport medical practitioners Larry Birckhead (psychologist), Dr. Aaron Case (chiropractor), and Dr. Chris Napier (physiotherapist), emphasizing the clinics holistic approach to fitness & health.
Special guests included the 2020 program’s presenting sponsor New Balance Vancouver and Canadian Olympian Natasha Wodak, the 2019 10,000M Pan American Games champion and three-time Vancouver Sun Run winner. She is also the Canadian record holder in the 10,000M with a time of 31:41:59. Natasha (who is coached by Lynn) talked about the importance of training, motivation, and support in reaching your 10K goals.
We also heard an inspiring speech from 2019 Leader of the Year recipient Stan Narayan. Stan has been with the program since 2008 and is the current clinic coordinator for the Cloverdale Clinic on Tuesday evenings.
Thank you to everyone that came out to our Leader Training Day. We look forward to celebrating our 25th year of InTraining and beginning the 13-week journey towards the goal of completing the 2020 Vancouver Sun Run on April 19, 2020.
For more information on the 2020 InTraining Program Presented by New Balance and to register for a clinic near you CLICK HERE.
