Join us on Sunday November 21^st 2010 for the 9^th Annual Hannukah Hustle

The Hannukah Hustle is a fun run / walk for people of all ages and abilities in support of the Club Fitness Centre at Shalom Village. Serious runners compete in the 10k and 5k events alongside walkers taking a more relaxed approach to the 1k or 5k route that starts at Shalom Village and winds along Hamilton’s scenic Waterfront Trail before returning to the finish line back at Shalom Village. November 21^st 2010 will mark the 9^th annual running of the Hannukah Hustle.

When Edna Smith first walked in the 5k event at the Hannukah Hustle Jean Chretien was Prime Minister of Canada, Ernie Eves was Premier of Ontario and Bob Wade was Mayor of Hamilton. Twelve European nations had recently adopted the Euro as their common currency and international athletes had recently returned home from Salt Lake City after competing in the Winter Olympics.

The year was 2002 and Shalom Village had only 51 apartments and 60 long term care beds. Shalom Village Too was still a year and a half away and The Club Fitness Centre was located where the Classic Theatre is today.

It was decided to launch a fundraising event for The Club that would reinforce Shalom Village's commitment to active living. When it was first decided to celebrate Hannukah with a running race and walk more than a few eyebrows were raised. After all, what business did old people have being out on a race course? Who could have foreseen that 8 short years later we would be home to a fitness centre serving over 100 people over the age of 70 from the community as well as more than 200 Shalom Village residents and Goldie's Place participants, or that 92% of Shalom Village residents would be participating in some form of physical activity at least twice weekly?

Edna walked the 5k route at the first Hustle in 2002, and now, at the age of 93, she has completed the 5k event for the 8^th time! She has been there from the start and now has the distinction of being the only Shalom Village resident, and possibly the only person to have completed the race every year since its inception.

It hasn't always been easy. Edna has undergone two hip replacements since that first race, the most recent in February.

"Edna came to see me after her most recent surgery," reports Club Head Coach Greg Almas. "She wanted to know what she could do to get in shape for the next Hustle".

Greg set up a program to help Edna increase her strength and improve her balance. She was determined to complete the race once again. Shalom Village Activity Coordinator Anne Pritchard accompanied Edna on the past several races and she helped Edna with the preparations for this year’s walk.

"I told her that we could turn around at any time if it got to be too much. She had her walker to sit on if she needed a rest and carried snacks, water and her cell phone just in case".

Anne, who had arranged for the MilliMobile to pick them up if needed, found that the precautions were unnecessary. While it took close to two hours to complete the course, Edna only stopped once to rest briefly at the bottom of the long hill approaching the finish line.

"That hill is a killer," notes Greg. "Many runners a quarter of Edna's age have cursed it as they struggle to the finish."

While participants run the spectrum of ages and abilities, Edna Smith stands head and shoulders above the rest for sheer determination and grit that is nothing short of inspirational.

It was a beautiful day at the 7^th annual Hannukah Hustle!

Over 400 runners and walkers, along with many family members and spectators, joined Mark Hebscher and the Shalom Village family in a celebration of active living at the 7^th annual Hannukah Hustle on November 23^rd at Shalom Village. Participants enjoyed a crisp fall day as they ran or walked in 1k, 5k and 10k events. After the races everyone gathered for a Hannukah party featuring hot dogs, hot apple cider and home made potato latkes.

Funds raised at The Hannukah Hustle go to support The Club Fitness Centre at Shalom Village. The Club is open to all people over the age of 70, including people from the community as well as residents of Shalom Village. Head Coach Greg Almas and his team lead participants through a detailed assessment process to develop a fitness plan suitable to individual needs and abilities. Whether people are fully able, confined to a wheelchair or restricted by other health issues, a plan is formulated to help them stay active and increase their mobility and independence.

RESULTS

Click here for results from the 5k race and here for results from the 10k race.