When Heather Beauchesne visits a new city, she likes to hit the ground running. Literally.
The creator and director of Running Tourist wanted to be able to visit new cities from a runner's perspective, but found her options limited.
"In my previous occupation I travelled quite a bit, which basically meant my running had to take place indoors due to foreign streets and running routes, if there were any," Beauchesne recalled. "I day dreamed of a local asking me to join him/her for a run."
In 2009, the Montreal resident stumbled upon a magazine article about running tourism and began contacting running tour companies about branching into Montreal. Those companies considered Quebec's language laws a barrier and didn't want to jump through the necessary hoops. Beauchesne took matters into her own hands, starting the Running Tourist with eight enthusiastic, bilingual runners.
"With business aspects put aside, there is something to be said about running with someone. Stranger or close companion, you feel great," she said. "When your running partner is a local of the city you are foreign to, they are an asset not only to an accomplished run but also an insight into local events, culture and history. As runners, we're gonna run, rain or shine, sand or snow; throw a local into the mix on our vacation and we're a happy running tourist."
The Running Tourist now has runners operating in nine Canadian cities stretching from Victoria, BC to Charlottetown, the only Atlantic Canadian city currently offering a Running Tourist guide.
Beauchesne's dream is for every Canadian city to be represented on the Running Tourist website. She's now encouraging interested HRM runners to map out a route and contact her to begin sharing the region's beauty, history and culture with local running tourists.
Tourists who run or jog through an area gain insights that aren't possible on a bus tour, Beauchesne said. They can file away names and smells of restaurants and scope out areas that appeal to them if they're interested in a more extended walking tour later.
"With Running Tourist you can make sure you get the kilometres you wanted without hitting a dead end or unexpected freeway," she said. "After running through several tourist areas and knowing the landmarks, features, culture and history surrounding them, you can rest easy with your wine and conversation knowing that you are not missing out and made the right decision to come back to that quaint bistro in the north end."
When she first got Running Tourist off the ground, Beauchesne did all the "leg work." She uncovered Montreal's best scenic running routes, created documents outlining the city's history and culture, and emailed updates and current events. Individual running guides would then study the information and include it in their running tour dialogues.
Now, Canadian runners who want to offer guided tours in their home communities do all the leg work. Beauchesne approves their routes/tours, and includes them and their contact information on the Running Tourist website. Individual guides set their own fees and keep the money they make. She maintains the database and spreads the word about Running Tourist, an effort she said gives her a sense of positive accomplishment.
"And even better yet, these people aren't company employees, they are completely independent individuals who have researched their city's best running routes, culture and history, and studied it to a tee," she said. "RT running guides are a tourist's key to the city. I don't think it gets much better than that. So I don't mind footing the bill for the site, sending a few emails, and seeing what happens."
Interested HRM runners are encouraged to contact Beauchesne at info@runningtourist.ca. More information about cities offering Running Tourist jogs/runs is available at www.runningtourist.ca.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
