Winnipeg is shaped by the water that flows through the Red River and the Assiniboine River. Where the rivers influence the city landscape, similarly the climate in Winnipeg influences the outdoor activities for Winnipeggers.
Street Run held their last outdoor event on Oct. 3 in downtown Winnipeg. The event included five-and-10-kilometre races, a five kilometre party-pace, a three kilometre walk and post-run events. This event was also a collaboration with the Social Exchange and Popeye’s Supplements Winnipeg.
Each ticket for the event costs $15, with a portion of the proceeds said to be going to Cancer Care Manitoba.
One of the participants at this event was Valour Eyamba. Eyamba, a U of M student in the faculty of engineering, shared that despite having a recent injury in his ankle, ran because he was reassured as he could see his friends and others running alongside him, emphasizing that the environment encouraged him to push further.
Eyamba shared that he believes students who only focus on studying all day will get good results, but by not partaking in community or extracurricular activities will eventually make them feel “very trapped.”
Kuda Makurumidze, founder of the Street Run club, said that he started the club out of his longing for community. With interests in physical fitness and mental health advocacy, he wanted to create a community where people can walk, run, exercise and converse with each other through physical activities.
Makurumidze emphasized the importance of warming up by equating it to “waking up your body.”
“Before the race […] just warm up a little bit, get your heart pumping,” he added.
Makurumidze expressed the importance of a post-race “cool down” to avoid waking up the following day with cramps.
With summer gone and winter near the horizon, Makurumidze shared that because of the growth of the community he will be hosting a HYROX simulation at Movement Fitness and Performance gym.
On the topic of the tickets for the event, he clarified “We don’t charge for any events. This is our first paid event ever. I do not believe people should pay to come out and run.”
Saintuary Cafe was the hub where everyone gathered before and after the event. Scott Ramos, the owner of the café, said, “It’s for a good cause and you’re bringing people together, it’s just a win-win.”
The event concluded with awards, mingling and music played by DJ Prince Malimbiza.
