Nordic Walkers To Make Big Impact – Vancouver Sun Run 2010

Press Release - VANCOUVER SUN RUN

A UNIQUE FITNESS TREND GAINING MOMENTUM LIKE A STEAM ENGINE.

Nordic walkers aim to make a big impact at 2010 Sun Run

YOUR COMMUNITY STORY

Move over Sun Run runners and walkers. You’ll need to make room for a throng of Nordic walkers this year!

SportMedBC in partnership with Urban Poling Inc. has seen a rapid expansion in this year’s Sun Run Nordic Walking InTraining clinics as popularity for this unique fitness trend grows rapidly across British Columbia. Growth from 3 clinics in 2007 to 25 Sun Run InTraining clinics offering Nordic Walking in 2010, reflect how this low intensity, high aerobic workout is appealing to spirited walkers and elite runners.

Nordic Walking is now truly on the move within the Sun Run InTraining Leadership Community, … I’ve known it was only a matter of time before it would be like an incredible steam engine that would gain momentum and never stop… for walkers and runners alike! – says Lynn Kanuka, Olympic bronze medalist runner and SportMedBC’s RunWalk Coach.

“We have seen an overwhelming response to Nordic Walking in our Sun Run InTraining program this year … The Sun Run was the first 10 kilometre event in Canada to accept participants with poles and now our InTraining programs offering Nordic Walking are expanding beyond our expectations”.

- says Lynda Cannell, President & CEO of SportMedBC

“The initial success of Nordic Walking stems from it’s accessibility; with guidance and proper training, everyone can get inspired and achieve great results.”

- says Mandy Shintani, occupational therapist & Director of Urban Poling Inc.

How Nordic Walking became a growing trend for the 2010 Sun Run InTraining Clinics

By opening your mind to different training modes like Nordic walking, you can keep your training fresh and enjoyable. – This is cross training at its best!

“As a personal trainer and marathoner, I’ve personally seen how the use of poles achieves excellent strength building and toning results without the heavy joint wear and tear,” says Leah Stasiuk, local Vancouver fitness trainer

“Nordic walking involves more muscles than regular walking, it burns substantially more calories.” And that’s good news for people who are interested in full body workout that results in weight loss” says Mandy Shintani, an occupational therapist and one of the leading Canadian experts on the health benefits of Urban Poling/Nordic Walking.

“The spark is alive and well at the Guildford Community centre in Surrey. – says Barrie Mills, Sun Run InTraining Clinic Coordinator.

Local Company Joins Forces with SportMedBC and its Sun Run InTraining Program

Started in Vancouver……

Urban Poling Inc. co-founders, Mandy Shintani and Graham Watts are thrilled to be the training centre for SportMedBC’s Sun Run InTraining program leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Sun Run. Mandy Shintani, is an occupational therapist in British Columbia who asserts that her company is dedicated to developing a state of the art Nordic walking training programs that she hopes will serve as an example to the rest of the country on how to use NW as a method for training and completing 10 kilometre and half marathon events.

RECENT MEDIA ON URBAN POLING INC.

“It’s fun and easy to learn and it’s a growing fitness trend that promises to improve posture, while giving you a workout“ – Dr. Rhonda Low, CTV NEWS Vancouver, Sept. 14, 2009.

“Nordic walking is a happy medium between walking and knee-grinding running” – Says Sheila Brady- Ottawa Citizen, May 22, 2008.

“Unlike that old universal gym languishing in the basement, nordic walking poles are an inexpensive and effective way to get the body moving and continuously improving” - Says Karen Gram – Vancouver Sun June 09, 2008

Rodger Knight says urban poling can become “almost addictive.” “Urban poling an intense workout improves cardio, muscle strength” – Says Kate Robertson – Toronto Star, Sept. 18, 2007.

ABOUT SPORTMEDBC

SportMedBC, a professional not-for-profit society comprised of sport medical and paramedical practitioners in British Columbia, promotes leadership, public awareness and education in the areas of sport medicine, sport science and sport training. For most active Canadians, SportMedBC comes to life through its Sport Training programs, including the SportMed RunWalk curriculum through the SunRun InTraining clinics offered throughout the Lower Mainland in and around Vancouver.

SportMedBC’s Sun Run InTraining clinics start the week of Feb 6, 2010 and run for 13 weeks. There will be a total of 65 Sun Run InTraining clinics offered throughout the province with 25 of these clinics offering Nordic Walking options. All Sun Run InTraining clinics, including those offering Nordic Walking are listed on www.sportmedbc.com.The SportMedBC Intraining clinics start on Feb 6, 2010 and run for 13 weeks. All 25 clinics are listed on www.sportmedbc.com or by calling Tel: (604) 903-3886

ABOUT URBAN POLING INC.

Urban Poling Inc. is a Canadian company based in Vancouver. The co-owners are Mandy Shintani and Graham Watts. Mandy Shintani, an occupational therapist is considered one of the leading experts on the health and fitness benefits of Nordic walking in Canada. Urban Poling Inc. is manufacturer of the Urban Poling poles and also operates one of Canada’s largest certification centres. Urban Poling runs the only Nordic walking training centre in Canada that is recognized by these six fitness education organizations including: