2nd Annual Kinetico Running Festival

From Barrie Shepley,

Let me introduce myself. I am a long-time run coach, that became Canada's
first Olympic Triathlon coach for the Sydney Games. I have had the privilege
of watching many great runners over the years and want to help keep our
sport of running alive (and growing).

Investigating why kids are not running as much, cost became an issue. My
friends and I want to do something to give kids and running a kick-start.

On Sunday Sept 20th, we are donating 1000 free race entries (roughly $25-30
per kid) for the 2nd Annual Kinetico Running Festival. The Festival will
give each child a free race shirt, free race finishers medal, free race
number, post-race meal and much more. We have a climbing wall, live music
and great draw prizes for the kids. Some of our country's great endurance
athletes will be there to sign autographs and meet the kids. This includes

* Lisa Bentley 11x Ironman Champion
* Reid Coolsaet (back from his 2:16 marathon in Berlin)
* AP Smith (past national jr cross-run medalist, elite national team tri)
* Sean Bechtel (Pan Am Triathlete)
* Cameron Sylvester (Olympic rower)
* Jade Sagnomillo (15 year old who just swam Lake Ontario as youngest ever)
* And others to be named.

The day has a competitive 5km run, 10 miler (beautiful Caledon run in the
fall with the colours changing) or a 10 mile (2 person x 5 mile relay).

We have great technical shirts for the 5k/10 miler and some great prizes.
Every person in the 5k/10 miler WILL GET A BEAUTIFUL gold,silver or bronze
pin. The pin colour is based on your finishing time. We have specific times
based on age, sex for each race. Our sponsors have been very gracious.

I know you have many many options for your running experience. Our goal, at
C3 is to simply help increase the number of kids who are into running (and
perhaps they may join your organization in the future).

You can appreciate how much effort it takes to try to get a 1000 kids into a
one mile run (we are going to do 3-4 waves with older athletes first, down
to the 3-4 year olds in last last wave). Obviously our 3-4 year olds may
be power-walking NOW, but getting into the attitude of being a future
runner.

With the gracious kindness of our sponsors to pay for 1000 kids (the shirts,
medals and food are ordered), I don't want to have one spot not filled. As
soon as we hit 1000 free kids, we will stop the kids we can allow in for
free in 2009.
Please help us give away 1000 free spots, by filling up a few cars and
bringing some kids out to run. They do need to pre-register on-line so we
know for shirt-size and food. Secondly, having your adult friends come for
one of the races (5k, 10 mile, 10 mile two person relay).
The proceeds from the day are going to the Ontario Lung Association. We
are going to request that all kids (who race for free) bring some canned
food for the LOCAL FOOD BANK (learning to help others can never start too
early).
I am sure you are bombarded with a lot of emails. I hope you will take
a few minutes to see how YOU and YOUR ORGANIZATION can hook into this world
class day where charity and KIDS are the priority. Please help me get 1000
kids out, AND attract some adult friends for the 5k/10 miler. Thanks for
your consideration. Details at www.c3online.ca .

Sincerely
Barrie Shepley

Olympic Coach
CBC Analyst
Friend Of Running