MCA District Chief Featured in Running Magazine

MCA District Chief Troy Thompson was recently featured in February issue of Running magazine, Canada edition. Under the article titled "Mohawk district chief running Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon to combat child obesity" Thompson talks about his efforts and hopes to raise $10,000 for Akwesasne's Iakwa'shatste Youth Fitness program. The 2018 Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon/Tamarack Ottawa Race weekend is May 26th to the 27th, featuring something for everyone: from a kid's marathon to a quick 2K run to the 41.2km full marathon on Sunday. Thompson was also selected as the February Runner of the Month by 'Run Ottawa'.

Thompson has a long history of running, often capturing first place in the Tom Longboat Run in elementary school and continuing on in high school. Last year, at the Quebec City Marathon, Chief Thompson raised nearly $4,000 for Akwesasne's Iakwa'shatste Youth Fitness program. After seeing how childhood obesity affects kids in Akwesasne he decided to use his run to raise money and awareness around the issue of fitness, healthy eating and practicing healthy habits.

This year, he's raising the bar to $10,000. Donation can be made on the GoFundMe site, simply type in 'Troy Thompson' and complete the form. All profits made go directly to the youth program.

Akwesasronon are taking an active part in the Ottawa Marathon – thirty-two students from five local schools will run the final 1.2km of the Ottawa marathon with Thompson. At home, students will complete a half-hour of physical activity and earn one kilometer for the 41.2km race (26.2 miles - essentially running from Hogansburg to Bare Hill Correctional Facility). Two local AMBE teachers are also taking part in the last section of the Ottawa Marathon.

Local runner Andrew Chubb is currently training with Thompson and hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon in May.

According to Health Canada using data from the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey in the 2002-03, obesity rates among First Nations on-reserve population range from 48 per cent in children aged three to five, 41.2 per cent for those aged six to eight, 26.4 per cent for ages nine to 14. "Obesity in Canada remains higher in Aboriginal populations compared with non-Aboriginal populations," Health Canada says.