News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                          May 17, 2007

Stepping Out on the Bruce Trail virtual hikers celebrate with real hike on the Bruce Trail 

The results are in for Stepping Out on the Bruce Trail. More than 2,300 participants registered for the challenge. The teams that sent back completed forms virtually hiked a total of 330,000 kilometers between January and April 2007.

“Congratulations to all teams for virtually walking the 840 km of the Bruce Trail. Our goal was to develop a program to motivate and increase physical activity in our area during the long winter months,” said Betty Perkins, Public Health Nurse. “There were 576 teams of four that registered, and 428 teams sent back sheets for the prize draw. Of those, 393 completed the entire trail.”

The teams used pedometers to track the distance they walked each day and used software to mark their progress on the Bruce Trail. The software program and pedometers are available at public libraries and workplaces across Grey Bruce.   

To celebrate their achievement, participants are invited to a real hike on the Bruce Trail on Saturday, May 26 at Walter’s Falls. The prize draw is at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot of the Walter’s Falls Inn. The hike begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be led by Beth Kummling, Executive Director of the Bruce Trail Association and members of the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club.

The hike at Walter’s Falls is 9,000 pedometer steps and takes about two hours to complete. A shorter version is also planned. Volunteers of the Sydenham Club built this loop hike in 2006. The trail is uneven in places, so a good pair of hiking shoes is needed. Bring water, insect repellent, a hat and sunscreen. Water and light refreshments will be provided at the award presentation.

Prizes include: four eco-adventure tours at the Scenic Caves in Collingwood, a weekend on the Bruce Peninsula at Taylor-Made Bed & Breakfast, a reference guide on the Bruce Trail, gift certificates from Thorncrest and Suntrail Outfitters, Looping through Sydenham book and walking stick, and a guided hike with a Sydenham Bruce Trail club member.

If you know in advance that you will be hiking, please call 519-881-1920 so trail guides can be prepared. Hikers can opt to go to the Falls Inn for lunch. Information on the Walter’s Falls hike is available at www.brucetrail.org under 40 Great Years, 40 Great Hikes #31. 

Pedometers and the software for Stepping Out on the Bruce Trail are still available at all local libraries. You, your family and friends are challenged to take the virtual hike. The Stepping Out program is a partnership between the libraries, the Grey Bruce Health Unit, Grey Bruce Partners in Health and the Ontario Stroke System.

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For more information:

Betty Perkins, Public Health Nurse            or     Karen Croker, Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit, Walkerton                   Grey Bruce Health Unit, Owen Sound

519-881-1920 ext. 239         519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 413