Friday, October 10, 2008
Good Things Are Happening
8TH ANNUAL ALEX DECOTEAU RUN
Over 1,500 students will hit the trails for the 8th annual Alex Decoteau Run on Friday, October 10th at Rundle Park.
There will be an opening ceremony to kick off the event and medal presentations will conclude the morning of races for all the students.
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 9 will run in honour of Alex Decoteau, a Cree athlete who has become a role model for students at the City Centre Education Project (CCEP) schools (Delton, Eastwood, John A. McDougall, McCauley, Norwood, Parkdale, and Spruce Avenue) The run includes a 3 km recreational run, 3 and 5 km races and a Kindergarten to Grade 2 fitness circuit.
Alex Decoteau became Canada's first Aboriginal police officer in 1909. In 1912 he was given a leave to race in the 5,000 metres event at the Stockholm Olympics. He returned to a hero's welcome parade down Jasper Avenue was promoted to Police Sergeant. He maintained his post until 1916 when he joined the Canadian army to serve as a runner in the trenches. On October 30, 1917 he was killed by a sniper's bullet at the Battle of Passchendaele.
Alex Decoteau has never been forgotten by his family and friends and many events, runs and ceremonies have been held to remember him. He has been named one of Edmonton's top 100 citizens of the Century and is inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
The Run is supported by Petro-Canada, The Edmonton Police Foundation, EPS Historical Unit, Running Room Canada, Heritage Community Foundation, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military, The Frontiersmen and Edmonton Public Schools.
For further information, contact: |
Adam Murray |
Kent Pharis |
Edmonton Public Schools is helping to shape the future in every one of our classrooms. We’re focused on ensuring each student learns to their full potential and develops the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams and contribute to their community.
Edmonton Public Schools
Centre for Education
1 Kingsway NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4G9