Matt and Rhiannon will do this Saturday - you can too (photos)
Thursday, July 19, 2012 by: Rick McGee
Two of Sault Ste. Marie's most talented athletic exports will be actively supporting RotaryFest this Saturday.
And you’re invited to join them.
The St. Louis Blues’ Matt D’Agostini (left) and Rhiannon Johns, who attends the University of Alabama-Birmingham on a track scholarship, will participate in the third annual RBC Royal Bank RotaryFest Miracle Mile just before Saturday’s parade.
Setting off at 10:45 a.m., entrants of all ages and abilities will walk, run, jog and wheel down a mile-long course.
It starts at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, follows Pim Street to Queen Street and than proceeds due west to the finish line at the Essar Centre.
As a student-athlete, Rhiannon runs 5 km and 10 km distances while competing for Alabama-Birmingham at the NCAA’s Division l level.
She excels in the classroom, too, having just completed an undergraduate degree with a major in mathematics and a minor in economics.
Graduate studies in math begin this fall.
While Rhiannon doesn’t compete for her school during the summer, she still follows a very demanding training program.
“I run 120 miles a week, going out twice on five days and once on two others,” she told SooToday.com News. “I run on the Hub Trail a lot and at Hiawatha sometimes.”
While many Miracle Milers will walk or jog the course, Rhiannon says: “I’ll run pretty hard. I’m in my off-season but still run. It’ll be fun to see what my current level of fitness.”
When she’s home from school, serving customers at a popular local eatery also keeps the talented young woman on her feet.
“I'm happy to have a job at Dock’s (photo),” she says. “They’re awesome. It’s great that they hire me for the time I’m here each summer. It’s a great place to work.”
Matt also follows a rigorous off-season routine between NHL campaigns.
Extensive weight training and running are included in his workouts.
During the Miracle Mile, you’ll see Matt wearing a Blues sweater and cap.
He’ll be giving out autographed photos under a tent on the west side of the Essar Centre right after the Miracle Mile’s conclusion.
Matt played locally with the Root River Rangers and Soo North Stars before going on to the OHL’s Guelph Storm.
He broke into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens and is currently preparing for his third season with the Blues.
Proceeds from the Miracle Mile help support physically challenged youth in the city and area.
More information and online registration details are available here, by calling 705-945-1279 or by visiting the Rotary office at 364 Queen Street East.
Registration can also be done at Athlete’s Foot until 5 p.m. on July 20.
Late registrations will be processed on Friday, July 20 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Delta Waterfront Hotel lobby, and on Saturday, July 21 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the Bushplane Centre.
