Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Icebreaker ambassador, Mark Campbell visited our Montreal TouchLab last week  and talked about his own running adventures at our Montreal-NYC run event. Below he shares with us his thoughts about the run and the crew.

I am back at home in Nova Scotia after a trip to the kick-off for an Icebreaker-sponsored running adventure from Montréal to New York.  The two teams, organized by Montreal trainer group Esprit de Corps are a diverse bunch and include former NHL tough guy Georges Laraque, who has taken on a new role as an enforcer for positive change and goodwill.  The run raises funds for Esprit de Corp’s charity helping disadvantaged families experience outdoor adventure. I was inspired by the runners’ positive energy and it was great to see first-hand a partnership between a company like Icebreaker and cause. It was also great to meet the Icebreaker crew who are without exception, dynamic and amazingly friendly.

Many in the Montreal-NYC group have made life changes and trained very hard to be able to accomplish this challenge. I was invited to present a bit of my own story of going from out of shape, unemployed and without purpose, to becoming physically active and involved in many projects and charities – in particular the Brigadoon Kids Camp for chronically ill kids.  Years ago, I had an epiphany about how my own activities were really me “playing”, and how many people and kids never get that opportunity. I decided to try and help others find opportunities to discover that same joy.  You don’t have to be a superhero to have a great impact: I feel we are all blessed with our own superpowers and using them for good, enriches our lives. The Montreal-NYC runners are definitely some of that breed.  I was honoured to meet them and spend a little time with them.  Good luck, enjoy the experience, and thank you. You definitely don’t stink!

- Mark Campbell – Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Running a relay race from Montreal to New York City is no picnic, but a group of Icebreaker-sponsored athletes recently met this awesome challenge.

Our Montreal Touch_Lab_ sponsored 10 athletes and two coaches from ‘Esprit de Corps’ to compete in the 617k race. The relay involved running 10k six times, which was especially tough for those athletes who hadn’t done any endurance running before.

Sonia Laboursodiere, a member of group, feared her injuries would prevent her from running her part of the relay.  Despite thinking that the race was “a bit insane”, Sonia decided to go ahead to prove to her four sons “that when you really want something in life, you can achieve it”.

It was a hard slog, but Sonia and her fellow runners successfully completed the race in about 65 hours. All the athletes were running to raise funds for a summer camp for underprivileged children.

“Life sometimes bringing us at a point where we need to make a decision about what we want to accomplish.  This challenge has made me realize that I am able to do more than I thought,” says Sonia.

“I feel much strong and more confident than I did before the race.”

The team all wore Icebreaker_GT tops and caps. Later, they said the fit and style of their Velocity Crewe tops were amazing, very comfortable, and didn’t stink.

Rejean Roussy – Montreal Touch_Lab Manager