An active, healthy community is the goal for Northern Medical Program students at UNBC who practice what they preach.
The 32 students, who began studies in 2009 to become physicians, are holding the sixth annual Run for Rural Medicine at 9 a.m. April 10 at the Hart Community Centre on Austin Road West.
The graduate class of 2013 have joined with the Prince George Road Runners to feature five, 10 and 21-kilometre runs as well as a mini one-kilometer walk this year so children and parents can participate in the activity.
Student organizer Natalja Tchajkova recalls,"It wasn't too long ago that citizens of Prince George and northern B.C. rallied to demand something be done to improve the state of healthcare and -- lo and behold the Northern Medical Program was born. And lo and behold, we are the students who are truly saying 'yes, we do care about the community.'"
"Basically, we want to promote the active living and community engagement that we know will help build a stronger community and as future physicians, we want to start now to show a strong sense of engagement with the community and region that asked for us to come in the first place."
Any proceeds raised during the event will go to the New Hope Society, a drop-in support centre for street workers and exploited women, said Natalja.
Along the run routes, mini-route and at route stations, participants will meet medical students doing their part to make the event a success.
"We all have the same goal in mind - happy, healthy communities where everyone feels included and can be active," Natalja said.
Race fees are $10 until April 10 and $15 on the day of the run. Road Runners members subtract $3 from regular fees. The fee for children 12 years and younger are $3 for the mini-run.
For more information or to register for the run, visit the website at www.strideandglide.ca.
