This morning, racers took off from Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata as the Pedal for Kids race kicked off. The race is a gruelling 5-day, 500km test of endurance from Ottawa to Quebec City. All proceeds raised will go directly to Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program.
The Jumpstart charity is dedicated to enrolling children in sports and physical activities that financial barriers would otherwise prevent them from enjoying. Due to financial circumstances, one in three Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their kids in organized sports. Jumpstart’s mission is to get all Canadian kids “off the sidelines and into the game,” and the Pedal for Kids is just one way the program raises money and awareness to meet this valuable goal.
The Pedal for Kids ride schedule and finish line locations are as follows:
Day 1: Ottawa, ON to Montebello, QC
Day 2: Saint-Jerome, QC
Day 3: Joliette, QC
Day 4: Trois-Rivières, QC
Day 5: Quebec City, QC
In addition to gorgeous scenery in Ontario and Quebec, the racers will pass iconic Canadian landmarks like the Parliament Buildings, Chateau Montebello, and the National Assembly in Quebec – plus a slew of Canadian Tire locations.
This is the first year that the epic Canadian charity race has started in Ottawa. To date, Jumpstart has met 83% of its fundraising goal…and counting. You can donate by visiting the Jumpstart website, and search the hashtag #JSPedal2014 to follow updates from the Pedal for Kids riders as they pedal toward Quebec City.
