NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE RUNNING ROOM
*************************
A proven program called, “Walk or Run to Quit” is coming to Barrie for its first year. The program, available across Canada, helps participants replace smoking with a healthier activity: learning to walk or run 5K. Research has found that becoming physically active increases a person’s chances of quitting since exercise helps curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The Barrie clinic opens on August 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barrie Running Room.
Running Room Area Manager, Barry Smith says the 10-week program helps smokers to break their addiction. ”The program is designed to allow participants to go at their own pace. Not only do they have the support of the program, they also receive support from other smokers in the group who are going through similar challenges.” Smith continues, “Seeing how the program works first hand allowed me to witness participant’s accomplishments and how the support and resources provided help them to achieve the goals they set for themselves.”
Walk or Run to Quit combines the know how of the Canadian Cancer Society and the walking/ running expertise of the Running Room with partial funding support of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Notable facts:
- It takes the average smoker multiple attempts before finally quitting
- In 2017 over half of participants interviewed reported being non-smokers six months after completing the training program
- Participants also continue to run, on average, three times a week
Smith says the program offers participants a step-by-step approach, “Every week we take the distance a little further and folks are amazed at how, little by little, they smoke less and become more and more active.”
“We were happy to see that participants really embraced exercise,” says Karen Kuzmich, Senior Coordinator Walk or Run to Quit, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario. “As well as a learning to walk or run plan, participants get quit smoking support including a Canadian Cancer Society guidebook and offer of support from their provincial quit smoking helpline.” To reach as many smokers as possible, the weekly coach-led program has expanded in 2018 to 100 Running Room locations across Canada in addition to the virtual training option, which allows participants to do the program at their own schedule no matter where they live.
Locally the 10-week training programs will be held at Running Room locations:
- Monday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. – Barrie
- Virtual Training: opens on August 13 across the country
Registration for Walk or Run to Quit is now open and available in all provinces across Canada. To register or learn more, visit: runtoquit.com.
Walk or Run to Quit is funded in part by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
About the Running Room
The Running Room is proudly a family-owned company. It originated in 1984 out of founder John Stanton's wish to purchase quality running shoes from someone knowledgeable about the sport. New to the sport of running, John had a thirst for knowledge as well as a desire to buy the right product. This entrepreneurial retailer decided to fill a niche in the marketplace by opening a small one-room store in the renovated living room of an old house in Edmonton, hence the name, "Running Room." The concept was highly successful, and the stores have since expanded to over 110 locations across Canada and the United States.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. For more information, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934). Make your gift today at cancer.ca.
*************************
