Eight-year-old Layla Allin and seven-year-old Livia Seaborn are third generation walkers in Quesnel’s 20th Annual Women Fall Challenge.
Their mothers, sisters Lisa and Charity and their grandmother Holly Nelson make up this family of striders.
Holly has the family record, having participated in the WFC for at least 18 years.
“I’ve missed a few because of my work schedule,” she said.
“And this year Lisa will miss the WFC due to work, but we do it every year we’re able.”
Holly said her middle daughter, who lives in Sweden, also walks with the family when she’s here at the right time.
“It’s a real family affair,” Holly said.
And that doesn’t stop with the Nelson women. Holly’s husband Doug, as well as the daughters’ spouses, volunteer at various water stations along the route. Layla and Livia helped out at their grandfather’s side before they were old enough to sign up and Layla’s younger brother and sister will be there with grandpa this year handing out hugs and high 5s.
Holly said it all began for her as something fun to do with lots of people from her work – she’s an infection control nurse at the hospital.
In a conversation with her mother, Charity heard what a nice day it was for the WFC walk.
“Then we were hooked and made it a family affair,” she added.
They all agreed the cause is also an important factor in their decision to walk each year.
“Breast cancer has touched us all,” Charity said.
“When you work in the community (she’s works at the Rec Centre) you see lots of friends, family or acquaintances going through it.”
Holly also said she’s nursed many breast cancer patients and right now a relative is waging her own battle with breast cancer.
For the two youngest members of the Nelson team, this will be their second year walking and Layla said she felt included and involved from the beginning of the warm up on race day all the way through the event.
“We play games along the route like eye spy and have sprint races with my consign Livia,” she said.
“But my favourite part is playing with my cousin; I don’t see her enough, she lives in Williams Lake.”
Charity and her sister Lisa weren’t sure how the young girls would do.
“But they did great. A bit whiney and certainly happy to see the finish line,” she said.
The Nelson women also enjoy the lunch, even though Layla said she didn’t win a door prize.
Holly said the family hopes to stay involved for as long as this event goes on.
“I hope it carries on because its such a good purpose. Quesnel is lucky to have the mammography unit and that is certainly in part thanks to the Women’s Fall Challenge,” she said.
“The event brings awareness to the importance of mammograms and breast health.”
The Women’s Fall Challenge is set for Oct. 6, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Dragon Lake boat launch. Sign up can be done at the Arts and Rec Centre or online at qwfc.wordpress.com. Early registration is $25 until Sept. 22, regular registration between, Sept. 23 – Oct. 4 is $30 and late registration (not available online) is on Oct. 5 at race package pickup after 2 p.m. at the Rec Centre of Oct. 6 before 8:15 a.m. at Dragon Lake school.
Participants can chose one of the following events: 5km walk; 5km run; 10km walk; 10km run or half marathon, each in one of eight age categories. Those wishing to attend the lunch (that’s where the door prizes are awarded) must include that on their registration form (limited number.) And finally, there are several choices for WFC merchandise, an excellent memento of the event.
Net proceeds from the Women’s Fall Challenge are all donated to Quesnel’s G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital Mammography Unit. In the past 20 years of this event, almost $160,000 has been raised for various needs in the mammography unit. Currently, the WFC is holding funds in trust to purchase a digital mammography reading machine.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Fall Challenge, organizers are encouraging anyone who’s ever participated to get the old gang together, rally your friends and family to make this all-women event a resounding success. Join the 600 plus women who commit each year to this event.