Page 10 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 140

10 Issue 140 September 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

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Bob Hardy Completes the Great Raisin River

Foot Race in 40:29 minutes.

By Christine Ouellet Looking ahead, Bob is already Walkathon 5.6 km on September
preparing for his next challenge— 15th, in Alexandria Island Park, at 10
the Labour Day Chase on September a.m. On September 21st, there will
he unstoppable Bob Hardy has
3rd, hosted by the Cornwall Multi- be a special event, Community Run,
Tfully recovered from the bad fall Sport Club. He is excited to continue in Alexandria.
he took in the last race. It took a lot his journey with the Veloped and to Bijouterie Pommier Jewellers is
of courage and determination for this
apply the lessons learned from this contributing and has meticulously
74-year-old runner to overcome the race to future performances. designed and manufactured a custom
injuries, but he didn’t give up and
Bob’s commitment to improving pendant to celebrate Bob Hardy’s
now, he has a new sport, Veloped. and adapting is a testament to decade-long journey in walker
On August 11, Bob Hardy, his dedication and the quality of racing. Presentation of the Walker
renowned as “The Walker Runner,”
the Veloped. With each race, he Runner pendant will be presented to
made his debut with the new sport continues to inspire others and push the most ambitious, go-for-it seniors,
racing Veloped at the Great Raisin
the boundaries of what is possible in over 65 years old. I.D. is required.
River Foot Race. Bob completed adaptive sports. Must walk at least 1 km.
the 5-km race with a time of 40: The next race is scheduled Photo Submitted
29 minutes and placed 104 out of starting at 9 a.m., And then there For more information and updates,
for Labour Day Chase 5-km on
125 participants. This marked a September 2nd, Gray’s Creek, is the Terry Fox Wobbly Walker please visit www.thewalkerrunner.com.
significant milestone as Bob tested
his new custom-designed racing Continued from page 9 football for sixteen years.” So, I thought, I don’t want girls to
walker. Local competition for the Pats be intimidated to play. I want girls to
Despite an enthusiastic start, he enjoy themselves as much as I did.
came from rival St Joseph’s Catholic
quickly realized that the Veloped was Secondary School. “They made a I also think that everyone deserves
set to the ‘city’ setting, which was to play and have a chance to try
team as well,” says Legros, “and we
not optimal for some of the gravel football.”
terrain of the course. This setting is played a scrimmage at La Citadelle at
designed for smoother surfaces, and the end of May. Many of the classes There are big things in the works
came out to watch the game, as well for the Patriotes girls’ program.
the gravel disrupted Bob’s pace. This
experience highlighted the need for as many of the girls’ parents.” “Next year, La Citadelle plans on
thorough course study to select the For Stacey St-Amand, playing travelling to Ottawa and Toronto to
appropriate Veloped setting. girls tackle football has been an play other high school girls teams,”
The event, organized by Beyond incredible experience. Playing in says Coach Legros. “Most of the
21, was a tremendous success, raising the nationals, she made good friends girls on Team Ontario play for the
over $15,000 to support adults with and Zachary Aubin helped coach the and overcame many challenges. In Ottawa and Toronto area high
developmental disabilities attending players at practices,” Legros adds. “I terms of local girls’ football, she school girls football teams. We hope
the organization’s programs. Bob was previously the U14 boys Team has some ideas. “It was important to recruit even more players, as the
extends his heartfelt thanks to Ontario head coach, as well as a to start a team at La Citadelle,” she home game encouraged many other
Beyond 21 for orchestrating such a Cornwall Wildcats coach for the last says, “because it was intimidating to girls to inquire about playing next
wonderful event. seven years. I have been coaching be playing with the opposite gender. year.”