A Look At The New Route For This Weekend's YMCA Half Marathon In Peterborough

Alana Callan (middle) at the start of last year's YMCA Half MarathonThis weekend, I decided to try out the new YMCA Half Marathon route. I have never run an unfamiliar race route before race day, and since the route has changed and runs through the city of Peterborough this year, I decided to give it a try.

The 21.1 km route begins at the YMCA located on Alymer street and takes runners through familiar aspects of the city. Many parts of the route are regular running routes for locals (around the Lake, out to Trent etc.). Runners leave the YMCA and run up Alymer Street to Perry Street and proceed down Crescent Street past the Little Lake Cemetery and then head to Lansdowne Street. From Lansdowne, you run up to Ashburnham Road past the canal and turn on Hunter to go through the Lift Lock tunnel and up and over "Museum Hill" and turn down Armour Road. Runners take a long trip down Armour Road to the turn-around.

It is an "out and back" route, and on the way out I had decided I hate "out and back" routes. But once I turned and headed back, I decided I quite liked running "out and back," as the run back was nicely familiar. Runners who have run the YMCA Half Marathon in the past few years will enjoy this new route for the change of scenery. I don't think I'll need to "draft" behind another runner this year as I have done in the past while running out by the airport and battling the wind.

There are four water and toilet stations this year, and I've been told that the local fire department will be taking care of the water station near the Peterborough Lift Lock.

The 33rd annual YMCA Half Marathon in Peterborough is in support of the YMCA's Annual Strong Kids Campaign, which encourages the healthy growth and development of Peterborough's youth. There is still time to register for this great event. It takes place this Sunday (February 27) starting at 12:30 p.m. and you can choose either the 5 km or 21.1 km race. There is also a kids 1 km fun run which is very fun to watch.

Click here for a PDF of the detailed route map.

[Contributed by Alana Callan]

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PtboPics: Family Day At Ontario Speed Skating Oval In Lakefield

There was a great crowd out today for Family Day at the Oval in Lakefield. Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal was out with his family (see his picture below), and the ice conditions were pretty good considering the warm weather we've had of late, so kudos to the ice crew. People were able to try speed skates which were made available, and there were hot dogs and hot chocolate being served. It was fun in the sun.

[Ontario Speed Skating Oval]

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10 Security Cameras Could Be Coming To Downtown Peterborough

[chextvDOTcom]

Thoughts? Good idea? Pros and cons?

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Peterborough Weight Watchers Has A Tempting Location

[Domino's, Weight Watchers]

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Family Fun Day At The YMCA Includes Washboard Hank, Bouncy Castle, Swimming & More!

Family Day (Monday, February 21st) is a day to help beat off those winter blahs and spend the day enjoying precious time with your family. If you have kids, what better way to spend it then at the YMCA's Family Fun Day, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, with proceeds going to the United Way. See the poster below for more deets!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Jamaican Self-Help + Peterborough = 30 Years In Partnership

Youth awareness trip participant at St. Peter Clavier School in JamaicaFor thirty years, local organization Jamaican Self-Help (JSH) has been working to empower people and build communities. Through partnerships with hard-working Jamaicans, vocational centres, schools, health care facilities and other institutions, JSH has successfully improved the lives of many Jamaican adults and children.

The community of Peterborough is an essential part of the success of this organization. Supported by the small but committed staff, the organization is based on Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough. Hundreds of Peterborough residents have participated in the activities of JSH as they lead, promote, educate and fundraise for the organization’s activities.

“The mandate of JSH is twofold," says Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Executive Director of JSH. "Our objective is to work with our Jamaican partners in order to successfully do as our slogan suggests—‘Empower People and Build Community’ in the Jamaican context. We also work to promote global education for Peterborough residents through a number of activities and events, thereby ‘Empowering People and Building Community’ in the Peterborough context and between these two countries, as well."

Local couple Rosemary and John Ganley founded the organization after traveling to Jamaica in the 1970s through their volunteer work with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). With the help of friends and community members, the Ganleys have remained advocates for the organization’s activities in Peterborough and its programs in several parts of Jamaica. Other Peterborough residents continue to support JSH through volunteer work in areas such as fundraising, global education, programming in Jamaica and event planning. The organization continues to lead students and adults on "awareness trips" to Jamaica that promote knowledge of international issues.

As JSH looks into the next thirty years of its work, Peterborough remains significant in all aspects of its activities. “The support that JSH receives from the residents of Peterborough is essential to its success," adds Kaczmarczyk. "We rely so heavily on the volunteer hours, the corporate support, the public and private donations that we receive from the people of Peterborough. We continue to grow as an organization because of new ideas and support from members of this community of all ages."

To learn more about JSH, go their website, follow them on Twitter @JamaicanSH, or contact the office at 705-743-1671.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Sarah McDougall]

[Photo courtesy JSH]

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Fundraiser Alert! Get Your Boogie On At Splice For Peterborough Green-Up

Mark this on your calendars: Green Eyewear Optical has organized a disco party fundraiser for Peterborough Green-Up called "Green-Up Fever" that takes place Saturday, February 26th, starting at 8 p.m. at Splice (379 George St.).

At the fundraiser, there will be a live band, a 50/50 draw, a live auction and so much more it's ridiculous—including lots of crazy dance moves.

Tickets are $25, and can be purchased at Green Eyewear Optical, which is located in the heart of downtown at 374 George St.

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Jackie DeKnock Creates Culinary Retreat "Gourmet Safari" Near Peterborough

Jackie gets help from Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan, who fluffs the rice. Photo: Julie MorrisJackie DeKnock and her husband Dan have set up a culinary retreat just outside of Peterborough in Mount Pleasant called Gourmet Safari. PtboCanada was there yesterday as part of a kind of culinary workshop organized by Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan. Jackie's growing business is coming together as a bed and breakfast and kitchen "studio" with hands-on cooking lessons.

The focus is on global cuisine, as Jackie has travelled the world during her last job at British Airways. Cooking and traveling are her two passions, so she took cooking classes and also learned about the importance of nutritional values. 

Jackie started her business by teaching cooking for two little girls, then moved on to men's cooking classes. She then added group classes, a Tapas birthday party and a couple's cooking class (they enjoyed it so much that they want to come back monthly).

There are a few spots left in Jackie's March Break Children's Cooking Camp, where kids explore culinary delights from the likes of Italy, Greece, Thailand, Mexico and Egypt.

Delicious kabobs served by Jackie and Dan. Photo: Evan Holt

For more info, check out Jackie's website. Jackie also appears on Kruz FM with Quick and Delicious Dish recipes every week.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Amazing: Peterborough's Scott Cannata Will Be Running Across Canada For Cancer Research

As part of his "Run to Live" campaign, Trent University student Scott Cannata will be running from coast to coast starting May 1st, 2011 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His goal: to run 42 kilometres per day for 209 days—a total of 8,778 kilometres. All to raise money for cancer research.

[Camerasacrosscanada.com, Facebook.com/theruntolive, Twitter.com/theruntolive, Youtube.com/theruntolive]

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