Naisten Kymppi

If you noticed a massive wave of women running through the streets of Helsinki a few weeks ago you might be interested to know that a merry band of three, from our very own Finnish Canadian Society, were part of the crowd!

Naisten Kymppi, Helsinki's premiere women's run, was held on Sunday, May 26 and included over 13,000 running, jogging, walking (with or without those sticks!) energetic and empowered women. The Finnish-Canadian Society team consisted of Carmen Boudreau Kiviaho, Sally Sheeks and Denise Bruley identified as such by a Canadian symbol or two, and our brand spanking new Finn Can T-shirts.

We started our day at Olympic stadium - a site filled with various stands providing giveaways and to the delight of certain people (i.e. Denise) even some shopping. Soon it was time for race preparation and we revved up our engines with a few salsa inspired warm ups. In the sea of 13,000, it was little difficult to make those cha cha moves, but we made a valiant attempt nonetheless.

Then...we were off...swallowed up by the crowd as we began the run. From Olympic Stadium the 10km route took us through several Helsinki neighbourhoods including Töölö, Meilahti, Pikku Huopalahti, into the beautifully wooded park of Länsi-Pasila and back to Olympic Stadium. Along the route there were some unique refreshment stands - the typical ones provided by race organizers - but also others by companies who had employees participating in the run, stocked with the more fortified energy drinks such as champagne and served by young men in suits. These were very popular sites for the athletes to catch their breath and regroup.

By Denise Bruley

June 02

• Chairman's update
• 30 years of
ups and downs
• Les Boys tackle the competition in Finland

• To Nairobi with love
• Destination Lakehead
• Destination Lapland
• Commonwealth Day
in Finland