The Mayor for Ritchot has put out a challenge to his residents. There is a 5km race being planned for St. Adolphe this fall, and Chris Ewen says he intends to win it.
"I'm going to put it out there, I'm going to win this 5k," says Ewen. "I am very, very athletic when I need to be. So, watch out Ritchot because I'm coming."
At this week's Council meeting, Director of Recreation Services, Shane Ray, informed Council of the Couch to 5k event being planned for this year in the municipality. The details still need to be finalized, however, Ray says the Couch to 5k will be an event that happens in September. It will include a six-to-eight-week program that teaches people how to either walk or run five kilometres. This will culminate with a 5km running race in early fall in St. Adolphe.
Ray says they would like to make this an annual tradition, moving the race from community to community. He notes this year's event will be held in St. Adolphe and then they will choose a different community for next year.
Ray says competitors in the race can run, jog, walk, or stroll their way through the 5km course.
Ewen says he is excited to see the municipality's Recreation Department develop a program and event like this.
"I'm going to participate in it because I think it's great to get out there and appreciate and enjoy what Ritchot has to offer through scenery or recreation activities," notes the Mayor.
Ewen says Ritchot has a great team leading their Recreation Department. He notes their staff are always coming up with these outside-the-box ideas. Not only that, but Ewen says he also has a Council that is focused on recreation opportunities.
"I'm very blessed to work with a team that really believes in recreation activities," adds Ewen. "And we've got it great so I can't thank them enough."
Ewen says he would love to see their Couch to 5k event happen in late spring or summer in the years to come, noting that after a long winter, it would be a nice way for residents to get outside and be active.
He adds the goal of this event is to get residents enjoying activities in Ritchot, without feeling intimidated. He notes this event is for everyone, even the most inexperienced runners.
"We are bringing all walks of life to participate in this," he adds. "From somebody that's never exercised before and then turning them into a 5k runner."
"Looking forward to it," noted Deputy Mayor Shane Pelletier at Tuesday's Council meeting. "I did a 5k last year, it was the longest four hours of my life."
Meanwhile, residents of Ritchot probably already know the lengths their Mayor will take when it comes to a physical challenge. In the spring of 2023, Ewen entered the boxing ring as part of a charity fight for mental health. He trained months for the event, shaving off considerable weight and spending hours each week inside the gym.
"Whenever I take something and I run with it, I literally run with it," says Ewen. "I want to fully embody this idea of becoming a 5k runner."
Ray says details of Couch to 5k will probably be finalized next week.