Rainforest Trail Run Training Clinic Leader, Lynn Kanuka participated in the first annual Tears of Hope Relay in Terrace, BC honouring the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls along highway 16.  She said “This was an incredibly powerful and emotional experience…truly there are no words for the strength and focus on the movement to move forward…celebrating life and hope for change…”

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls presented its final report in Gatineau in June. The report aided in restoring respect and dignity to the more than 1,000 murdered women across Canada.The Tears of Hope Relay was conceived to honour the memory of these women and girls.  Teams ran simultaneously for Prince Rupert and Smithers along Highway 16 to congregate in Terrace. Organizer, Lorna Brown said “We want people to believe our case and not see this as just another running event.”  

The relay includes family, friends and community members of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), carrying a deerskin scroll inscribed with a “Message of Hope”.

Lynn Kanuka, the 1984 bronze medal winner at the Los Angeles Olympic Games has designed the 8 week training plan for the Rainforest Run/Walk scheduled for September 29th at the urban rainforest in Central Park, Burnaby, BC.  Lynn has organized the training clinics for the Vancouver Sun Run for several years. This event was founded by the Achilles International Track and Field Society in 1985 and now attracts over 40,000 participants each April.

The program for the 5km walk/run focused on indigenous culture, is planned to start in August for 8 weeks prior to the event. The details of which are found below.

Lynn Kanuka has had great experience in organizing the Vancouver Sun Run Training Clincs but also through the SportsMed BC Aboriginal Run/Walk Program.

She also serves as a volunteer National Endurance Coach for Athletics Canada at World Athletics Championships such as the World Cross Country Championhips this winter in Aarhus, Denmark. Lynn is the personal coach of Natasha Wodak just named to the Canadian team for the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar this October.

More informationa about Lynn Kanuka available here.