2003-2004

News Release

REF NO.: 296

SUBJECT: Motivated group of Memorial University employees put Team Memorial into the Tely 10 road race

DATE: July 23, 2004

About 80 employees from Memorial Universityare participating in this year’s historic Tely 10 road race as part of what the participants are calling Team Memorial. Earlier this year, the Work-Life Program office of the Human Resources Department at Memorial University sponsored an employee Walk for Wellness around Long Pond to promote active living. During the walk, someone suggested forming a team to run in the annual 10-mile road race. Peter Hynes, worklife programs co-ordinator, ran the idea by the director of the Department of Human Resources, Gerard McDonald, an avid runner who has done the Tely 10 several times. He gave the go-ahead and Team Memorial was off and running.

“We promoted the event amongst Memorial employees as being mostly non-competitive,” explained Mr. Hynes. “Participation was our goal, not performance. We really don’t care how well our employees do in the Tely 10. It’s enough that they do the Tely 10, period.”

He said they still wanted to attract competitive runners to the team, but also first time runners and walkers. Mr. Hynes said they originally hoped to convince about 50 people to take part. With almost 90 employees and family members, that goal has been far surpassed. The group includes about 10 family members and about 12 runners from the Marine Institute. Almost half of Team Memorial is running the Tely 10 for the first time.

“I think that the response has been very impressive considering this is not an easy event,” explained Mr. Hynes. “To do 10 miles in the heat of summer is a pretty challenging distance, whether walking jogging or running, especially for beginners. We were very pleased with the response to say the least.” The runners will be wearing Team Memorial shirts with the Memorial Sea-Hawks crest on the front of the shirt.

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