Another Successful Year for Muscles in Motion

SUBMITTED BY MUSCLES IN MOTION

June 4th marked the 6th year for the annual Muscles in Motion event, an annual event raising awareness and funds for those affected with Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders.

The event consists of a 4km and 8km trail run through the beautiful paths of Jarvis Bay Provincial Park in addition to a Team Fire Fighter Fitness Challenge. The event was created for all ages, as there is also a Kids 1km run and obstacle course.

Kim Reinhart, the owner of Optimal Fitness and creator of the event was very excited with this year’s turnout.

“With the turn of the economy and funds being tight all around, our committee was really concerned with the number of registrants this year,” Reinhart said.

With the help of community support, sponsors and past participants - the event brought in 75 runners and eight teams for the challenge, which averages out with past years. The downturn in the economy wasn’t the only thing weighing on Reinhart’s mind as the event was being planned. On December 19 of 2015, her nephew Garrett passed away suddenly of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 17.

The event was created for personal reasons and this year became a tribute to Garrett.

“There is no cure for Muscular Dystrophy and having a family member affected with the disorder makes you feel very helpless. Helping raise awareness was one of the ways, I felt I was helping contribute to the cause. Our family knew that Garrett’s life expectancy was going to be short, but getting that phone call with the news that he was gone, was devastating,”Reinhart explained. “The heartache of losing someone so young and to watch my sister and her family relive the moment day after day is heartbreaking. For a moment, I didn’t want to continue running the event, feeling angry and defeated. But on the other hand, I wouldn’t want other families to have to go through a similar loss. I will continue to raise awareness and funds through Muscles in Motion in the hope that a cure is found and help keep the spirits strong in those that continue to battle the disorder.”

Every year the Muscles in Motion committee is looking at new ways to promote the event. This year they added Hip Hop for Muscular Dystrophy. With the help of Rico Martinez of Pound ItHip Hop Studio and local street dancer Bboy Sabotage, Sebastian Reinhart and Bboy Golden Boy (Coleman Komula), the event was a huge success. The instructors taught hip hop moves and break dance combos to the students of the following schools: Our Lady of the Rosary, Ecole Mother Teresa School and CP Blakely School.

The campaign covered age groups from Pre K to grade 5, challenging the students to make their muscles move. Bboy Sabotage, age 11, is a competitive street dancer. His goal is to continue to create awareness in memory of his cousin Garrett and show support to other families who have loved ones affected with MD. The committee of Muscles in Motion would like to extend a thank you to all the schools who participated and everyone who pledged and sponsored the students. The total raised between the 3 schools was over $3400. Muscles inMotion successfully raised over $12,000 this year. Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers and participants. A special thank you to the committee members Marie-Astrid Detharet and Nikki Labelle for their countless hours in helping make the event such a success.