The Man in Motion World Tour is celebrating 25 years with a re-creation of the Canadian portion of Rick Hansen’s journey, starting in Newfoundland on Aug. 24.
The tour will travel 12,000 kilometres, going through more than 600 communities and ending in Vancouver on May 22, 2012.
The singular Rick Hansen Medal will be passed from participant to participant, following the route that he took, linking the country and the cause. Medal bearers can run, walk, wheel or bike their route, local welcoming committee chair Ken Mills says, adding medal bearers are needed.
“Five people have applied online to become a medal bearer so far, for 100 Mile House.”
On March 27, 2012, the tour will be heading down from his hometown Williams Lake, through Lac la Hache, 108 Mile Ranch and stopping in 100 Mile House for the evening.
Mills says he is gearing up for a great event.
“We are thinking of running a contest in November or December to help us choose the bearers. It will be similar to the contest on the Rick Hansen website.”
Every medal bearer will receive his or her own medal to permanently remember the way in which they added to the momentum of the 25th Anniversary Relay.
“We also need some volunteers on the committee to help us with this event.”
“Donna Bellingham from the District [of 100 Mile House] is our liaison with the Rick Hansen Foundation and she has been wonderful.”
Mills says the local relay will start at the intersection of Exeter Road and Highway 97.
“It is still in the planning stages, but we are thinking of touring through the downtown area, and continue to the [South Cariboo Rec. Centre].”
While Hansen will not be wheeling across the entire country as he did 25 years ago, he will be present at a number of stops throughout the country during the nine-month relay. Since it is still early in the planning, Mills is not sure if Hansen will be present in the South Cariboo.
Leaving from the 100 Mile Elementary School the morning of March 28, the tour will continue south through 70 Mile House, Clinton and then spend the night in Cache Creek.
For more information, call Mills at 250-706-9874 or visit to the website at www.rickhansenrelay.com.
