Streets close for first ever downtown DU283 duathlon (18 photos)

No less than 154 people ran and bicycled through the streets of Sault Ste. Marie in Sunday’s inaugural DU283 duathlon, dedicated to raising awareness of mental health needs and funds for mental health programs within the community.  

“That far exceeded our goal. We were told numbers for a first year event would be much, much lower. It’s only going to grow from here,” said Sonny Spina, Algoma Family Services (AFS) Foundation chair, speaking to SooToday.

“This has been incredible to start a new event that no one’s ever done in Sault Ste. Marie before and have it attain this level of success.”

“This tells me we’re on the right track. This was about raising awareness and starting the conversation around children’s mental health, and at the same time we were able to raise significant funds,” Spina said.

Participants ran five kilometres, bicycled 28 kilometres, then ran another five kilometres, with shorter distances for beginners. Some ran individually, others on relay teams.

The event began with a run from The Machine Shop, participants heading through the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, then along the waterfront to the Roberta Bondar Pavilion and back to The Machine Shop.

From there, they bicycled seven times on a route along Bay Street, St. Marys River Drive, Foster Drive, up Brock Street, along Queen Street East to Gore Street, then south on Gore and back to The Machine Shop to resume the second running component of the duathlon (38 kilometres in total).

Earlier DU283 duathlons for mental health programs and services took place at local high schools, beginning May 16 at Korah.

The distances of those duathlons, combined with Sunday’s 38 kilometre distance, combine for a 283 kilometre total.

Spina has held badge number 283 as a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service officer for 16 years.   

The amount of funds raised through DU283 was not immediately known by organizers Sunday, but Spina said “the high schools have raised thousands of dollars.”

All funds raised through DU283 will stay local at AFS Foundation, with the hope of bringing more clinicians to Sault Ste. Marie to provide mental health care for infants, children, youth, adults and families who need it.

Spina was the prime organizer behind DU283, having received help in organizing and promoting the event from Sault North Rotary, RAM Fitness & Cycling Studio, Cavera Digital Marketing and numerous volunteers who helped with Sunday’s duathlon.  

Streets were closed to motorized traffic where DU283 participants ran and bicycled.