While the weather is still warm and sunny almost every day, it’s a great time to take advantage of the outdoors and get some physical activity in. Earlier this summer, Ève Gauthier started HUNT&Go, a new community running club based in Huntingdon. She says that her goal is simple, to bring people together “through physical activity, specifically running and walking.”
The club is open to runners of all experience levels, whether outright beginner or seasoned pro. The club offers a five-kilometre running route, and a three-kilometre walking route, with no expectation of pace tied to either of them. The group meets every Saturday at different times to accommodate different schedules. Gauthier says, “We hope to create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where connection and community come before performance,” and emphasizes that they want to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.
Over the past few years Gauthier has seen running grow in popularity and has read studies about the impact it has on mental and physical health. Walking has similar benefits and means that more people can participate. But she also noticed that there were very few opportunities in the region to run together. “We wanted to give people a chance to be active together through informal, pressure-free outings,” she says. These activities help to combat social isolation and help people find a place in their community.
Another reason why accessibility is so important to Gauthier is that almost half of Huntingdon’s population is over 50 years old, “making it especially important to offer an activity that is truly accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels,” she says.
Gauthier hopes that with this club, people will grow their personal communities and make new connections. The club is open to everyone, and she says, “We want newcomers to feel at home and long-time residents to rediscover their town by moving through it together.”
There is no registration required to become a member. All you have to do is show up. On any given day the run will happen regardless of how many people appear. Gauthier says, “If our outings encourage healthier lifestyles, new friendships and a stronger sense of community, then we will have achieved exactly what we set out to do.”
She encourages anyone interested to follow HUNT&Go on social media.