The 2013 Enerflex MS walk is shaping up to be a big success this year as 83 walkers and 12 teams have already confirmed their registration for the event.
This year’s walk will take place at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) on Sunday, May 5.
“We’re really encouraged by the youth that are coming on board, because they are essential for keeping it going, and the enthusiasm from the locals is just great.” said this year’s MS Walk coordinator, Shauna Brown.
Interesting new incentives have also been added to this year’s walk for all Alberta participants.
For every $1,000 in pledges raised by participants, they are entered to win free airfare for two anywhere in the world, courtesy of WestJet.
“I’m actually very proud of Drumheller, because we’re ahead of a lot of the bigger communities right now,” said Brown.
This year’s MS Walk coordinator, Shauna Brown, and regional director of the Central Alberta chapter of the MS Society of Canada, Lorraine Evans-Cross collaborate on ways to make this year’s walk a huge success. The walk is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Badlands Community Facility.
Brown is confident in surpassing this year’s goal, set by Red Deer, of raising $40,000 in funds.
“I think it’s really doable,” she said.
Breakfast and warm-ups will begin at 9 a.m., with registration at 9:30 a.m., and the walk taking place at 10 a.m.
No changes have been made to the walk route this year, which is slightly less than 10 kilometres, and will start and finish at the BCF.
If people decide to participate in the walk but don’t feel they can walk the entire distance, check points have been arranged for them to stop and get shuttled back to the BCF.
A “fun run” will also be held at this year’s event for anyone choosing to run the course instead of walking it.
The run will not be timed and anyone choosing to run the course will be entitled to a 10 minute head start to help eliminate the amount of traffic on route.
Red hair streaks and shoelaces will also be made available to the public to help raise some extra funds for the walk.
“A major portion of the money raised from the walk comes back directly to our community for our support, and the rest goes to research,” said Brown.
