When Doug Lavoie turned 50 in 2022, he set a goal: to run 50 half-marathons in 50 weeks. His husband, Paul Lavoie, joined in, and soon the two began to wonder if they could raise $50,000 for the Calgary Food Bank in the process.
They ended up raising more than $138,000.
In 2024, those efforts evolved into The Walk, a Thanksgiving tradition that brings Calgarians together to walk, dance and give back to the community. This year’s event takes place on Monday, October 12 at Eau Claire Plaza. Participants can sign up for free on Eventbrite.
The event is more than a walk — it’s a celebration. Following opening ceremonies at 10 a.m., hundreds of Calgarians will take a five-kilometre stroll along the Bow River. Afterwards, a Power Hour brings everyone together for a gathering of pure joy with a DJ spinning upbeat tracks, bubble machines, food trucks and a massive disco ball. At The Walk, community building is just as important as fundraising.
“It’s a non-threatening environment for people who want to get a little fitness in and meet new people, but are intimidated by, say, bigger athletic events,” explains Doug Lavoie. “Our whole mantra has been, ‘Come for the walk, stay for the dance.’”
There’s no entry fee for the walk, so the funds raised come from donors, sponsorship and the generosity of people who are able to give. Doug believes in the goodness of people, and Calgarians are proving him right as The Walk nears a total of $1 million raised over the years.
