Christopher Walker Memorial Race
Thanks to my wonderful neices Karen Brookman and Jennifer Brookman the T-Shirt at this years Giants Head Grind will be one that you won’t want to miss out on. Karen had a very unique concept which Jennifer assisted with tweaking and the result is magic…..
Want to see and own this years t-shirt…Join us May 21st for the 3rd Annual Giants Head Grind – Christopher Walker Memorial Race go to giantsheadgrind.com to register.
“Miracles Happen when we Conquer the Giant”
On Thursday, February 25, Carla McLeod of the Summerland Review, sat down with Ellen Walker-Matthews to discuss the history of the Giants Head Grind – Christopher Walker Memorial Race. We are honoured and thrilled with the end result and want to thank Carla and the Summerland Review for taking the time to tell this story in such a poignant and thoughtful manner.
“He would not be at all pleased for me to waste my life when he so desperately wanted to continue living his.”
We encourage you to read the full story here: Summerland Review, February 25, 2016, page 8.
But this is only our story. As we’ve learned over the past 3-years, every participant has their own story, and we want to hear it.
Comment below or email us and share with us why you’re planning to “Conquer the Giant” this year.
Register by February 29th for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
It’s Time Again to RISE and GRIND
Join us this year for the 3rd annual
Giants Head Grind – Christopher Walker Memorial Race
Saturday May 21st, 2016 – Summerland BC.
Register now at www.giantsheadgrind.ca
Early Bird Draw
Register before February 29th, 2016
For a chance to win
2 nights accommodation for 2 on the Gold Floor at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler –
With dinner for 2 in the dining room
**some restrictions apply
Miracles Happen When We Conquer the Giant
“It never seems that difficult…once you’ve reached your destination”.
Watching the ribbon of color circling up Giants Head Mountain we pause to catch our breath and our thoughts are awed by this incredible site and the beauty of what lay before us.
This is the Giants Head Grind a day of thoughtful celebration and achievement. An event where more than 500 people have come together climbing this former volcano, creating a kaleidoscope of memorable moments.
The event started to honor our son, Christopher Walker who challenged Colon Cancer in 2013 and has evolved into a day where many bring their stories, memories, tears and hopes to the mountain taking strength and encouragement from the collective spirit and energy of others.
The climb brings out the best of all that it touches; challenging, pushing, inspiring and humbling but ultimately offering a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Walking or running from the beach to the peak, the Grind offers up 5.6 km and a grueling 500 feet of elevation change. Like life, the climb is not an easy one and there are moments of exasperation and exhaustion where stopping seems like the best and only answer. Encouraged on by enthusiastic volunteers and of course the promise of ice cream sandwiches and other treats at the top, we push ourselves to move forward.
At last when there is little more to give… the reward; those final few steps to the very top where surrounded by breathtaking vistas, we catch our breath and enjoy the moments of laughter and comradery as we all realize that we have reached the finish line…and perhaps… it wasn’t that difficult.
Later at the Finishers BBQ there is a fullness and warmth surrounded by new friends and old, the retelling of the events of the day, the tingle of tired limbs and the simple beauty of the surroundings.
None of this changes the loss for us or others but it may make a small contribution to the success of a diagnosis and outcome for someone else in the the near future. In the meantime it keeps our loved ones close and brings meaning and hopefulness to their struggle.
This years Giants Head Grind takes place on May 21st, 2016 in Summerland, BC. Funds raised at the event are used to promote early diagnostics and testing as well as bring awareness to this serious Canadian killer. For more information or to register for this year’s event go to …www.giantsheadgrind.com
“The National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) acknowledges colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of death from a cancer among men and women in Canada, second only to lung cancer. If, however, the cancer is detected early through screening, it may be highly treatable and need not be deadly. In a majority of cases, colorectal cancer is preventable and yet each year in Canada, thousands of people are diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer.”
The Colorectal Cancer Association of Cancer has put together an in-depth page listing the different types of screening for colorectal cancer including:
Each one is described in detail on their “Screening & Diagnostics: A guide to screening tests” page. Check it out!
Photo of Colorectal Cancer Association Transit Advertising from 2011.
