Twenty-five years ago, the world watched as B.C. native Rick Hansen brought his Man in Motion tour back to his home province.
Having visited 33 other countries, Hansen was on the last two-month leg of his 26-month tour to raise funds and awareness for spinal cord injury research.
On March 19, the memory of that tour will be alive in Prince George when the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay rolls into town and is marked by a big community celebration, featuring the man who started it all.
"Rick Hansen has been a champion, not only in promoting vital spinal cord research, but also in promoting the importance of accessible communities. In 25 years, we have come a long way, but there is still much work to be done," said Pat Marshall, chair of the Prince George celebration committee.
The anniversary relay began Aug. 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Nfld., and will wrap in Vancouver on May 22. The nine-month 12,000-kilometre trek traces the route Hansen took across Canada in 1987.
But this time, instead of one man wheeling his way across the nation, 7,000 volunteers have signed up to walk, run or wheel a 250-metre segment of the route while wearing a special commemorative medal. Medal bearers were selected from an online contest where entrants submitted their stories in how they have made a difference in their communities.
"This is an exciting time in our 25th anniversary celebration and for Canadians across the country, as we connect the nation and provide the opportunity for people who are making a difference in the lives of other to be recognized for their accomplishments and to share their stories," said Hansen, in a press release.
The first medal bearer will leave from the Honda North dealership shortly after 4 p.m. on March 19. The relay will loop down Fifth Avenue to Ospika Boulevard before making a short stop around 5:40 p.m. at the McDonald's on Victoria Street before continuing to the Civic Centre Plaza.
Paul Jalbert will complete the final leg of the Prince George relay, bringing the medal to the Civic Centre plaza by 6 p.m. where there will be music and celebration with presentations from Rick Hansen.
Jalbert is a multi-sport athlete who has represented Canada in two Paralympic Games and has won provincial and national championships in a variety of sports, including swimming, cycling and boccia.
Throughout the day, a variety of events will take place across the city. These include wheelchair sports at the Civic Centre from 1 to 5 p.m., creating cheering sticks at Two Rivers Gallery from 5 to 6 p.m., a toonie swim at the Four Seasons from 1 to 5 p.m., and a public skate at the Coliseum from noon to 2 p.m. (regular rates apply). The evening celebration at the Civic Centre Plaza is free and will feature entertainment, activities and memorabilia from the original Man in Motion tour.
For more information about the anniversary relay, visit www.rickhansenrelay.com.
