IronStride RSS Feedhttp://www.ironstride.com/index.htmlIronStride Newsenjohn@ironstride.comCopyright 2009 Iron Stride Enterprises Inc.2012-01-30T16:42:32-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:42:32 -0500Off to Climb Kilimanjaro!john@ironstride.comNews2012-01-30T16:42:32-05:00http://www.ironstride.com/index.html#unique-entry-id-123http://www.ironstride.com/index.html#unique-entry-id-123Two IronStride athletes - Maria Cronk and Chris Lattimore - are about to embark on a very big adventure that is sure to test their strength and determination. On February 1st, they leave Kingston for Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of eight other Canadians. At almost 20,000 feet, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa.

But it isn't just about adventure and determination. The excursion's primary goal is to raise awareness about parathletes and the importance of participation in competitive sport for people with disabilities. The climb is being sponsored by the ParAthletes of Canada Foundation. Two of the women climbing have a single leg, one having lost a leg to an accident, and the other to cancer. A recent article in the Kingston Whig-Standard tells the story.

Here is Maria's explanation of how she ended up getting involved:

"I have an incredible passion for adventure and challenges.  I'm very motivated by the strength and energy that I see in other athletes and love to be surrounded by them.  I believe that life is full of opportunities and with the right attitude things will start to happen.  I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by the most amazing people who have influenced me greatly.  This climb for me will be very spiritual and from what I understand you have to really dig deep to find your inner strength and you absolutely need each other to keep on going. 
 
I have known Kim (Fawsett - one of the leaders of the group) for five years since she started doing triathlons with her husband.  We became friends right away since I loved her determination and her desire to succeed as a parathlete.  We spoke often about our mutual determination and she was there for me when I did Ironman in 2008.  She asked me a year ago if I would like to be a part of this climb as it would be a launch for the "ParAthletes of Canada" which she started and has an incredible passion for.  She is a tremendous inspiration and her story is very touching. She asked if I would like to bring a friend, so of course I had to ask my buddy Chris to come along!"

And here are some of Chris' thoughts:

"I am really excited! A little nervous to say the least but trusting that the experience will have so much to teach me. I am sure it will be so inspiring to follow two women who are attempting this climb with only one leg and a prosthesis. They remind me I am not alone and have the strength and courage I need for the journey. I hope I learn all that it is meant to teach me and come home ready to give back and share from that journey."

The best way to follow the progress of the group is to visit the Kilimanjaro Facebook page and ask to join - this page will be updated on a regular basis during the voyage. Also, a member of the group, Kimothy Walker, who works for CTV News in Ottawa, will be sending tweets at @KimotheyCTV.

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Chris and Maria

]]>Richelle Moore - Bronze at CCAAs!john@ironstride.comNews2011-11-15T08:09:38-05:00http://www.ironstride.com/index.html#unique-entry-id-122http://www.ironstride.com/index.html#unique-entry-id-122St. Lawrence College Vikings Cross Country athlete Richelle Moore captured the bronze medal at the 2011 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) XC Championship in Kamloops BC on November 12th. This follows another bronze medal performance at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) XC Championship held at Fort Henry Heights in Kingston ON on October 29th. Richelle also won a gold medal at CCAAs as Team Ontario placed first in the Conference competition. The third-fastest college woman in Canada capped off an incredible season in Kamloops, which also saw her place 2nd at the very competitive Fanshawe College Invitational held in London ON on September 24th. Last season Richelle finished 2nd at OCAAs (London) and 7th at CCAAs (Fredericton NB). Richelle is coached by IronStride coaches Randy Zabukovec and John Reid. This is only Richelle's 3rd year as a competitive runner, and with one more season of XC ahead of her at St. Lawrence, stay tuned!

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Richelle with her CCAA awards

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Richelle with her bronze medal (oh, and Randy & John)

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