Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Local Journalism Initiative / The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph / October 22, 2024 / Cassandra Kerwin, Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, health, Quebec City

Tens of thousands of Quebecers walk in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

Large crowds of energetic, cheerful people assembled at the Fontaine de Tourny early on Oct. 19. They were there for the 10th annual Grande Marche of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. Starting at 11 a.m., they walked five kilo- metres to and from Gilmour Hill. The sun was out to encourage the thousands of participants who leisurely walked or jogged on the Plains of Abraham and down Grande Allée.

By Friday midday, nearly 100,000 people across the province had registered for this walk. Event founder Pierre Lavoie expected over 120,000 registered participants with countless other unregistered walkers. He said he believed that over the past decade, more than one million people have joined him in the annual walks.

Supported by family doctors, Pierre Lavoie encourages Quebecers to participate in the annual Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie.

On Oct. 19, thousands of people walked five kilometres from the Fontaine de Tourny, across the Plains of Abraham to Gilmour Hill and back under a cloudless blue sky.

It was a beautiful day for a walk. Over the weekend, people across the province participated in the 10th Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie. In Quebec City, the walk is a loop from the Fontaine de Tourny through the Plains of Abraham to Gilmour Hill and back.

“Throughout our lives, no matter our physical health and our age, there are only two sports that we can always do: swimming and walking. All the other sports, we will be forced to stop at one point or another,” Lavoie said on a stage overlooking the crowded Fontaine de Tourny and Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale. “We each have a responsibility to maintain our physical and mental health. Walking can do wonders for both, and it is free and fun! People greatly appreciate what we are doing. They want to live longer, healthier lives.”

Thousands of family doctors joined the movement in their respective cities, showing by example the importance of integrating physical activity into their busy lives.

Respecting a longstanding tradition, the Grande Marche officially started on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Lavoie’s hometown of Saguenay, fol- lowed by a second walk in the provincial capital on Oct. 19 and a third one on Oct. 20 in Montreal. Numerous other cities, towns and villages across the province held their own Grande Marche at different times.

For more information about the Grand Défi, visit, onmarche.com.

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Rosemère Steps Towards Health with 5 km Walk for the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie

Maria Diamantis, LJI journalist

On the evening of October 18, the town of Rosemère will host its own edition of La Grande marche, a 5 km community walk that is part of the larger Grand défi Pierre Lavoie. This event, starting at 7:00 PM at Alpha School, brings people of all ages together in a celebration of health, fitness, and civic engagement.
The Grande marche is a vital component of the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie, a province-wide movement that promotes physical activity and healthy living. Organized in over 100 cities across Quebec, this initiative aims to encourage the population to adopt healthier habits, with an emphasis on physical activity as a foundation for long-term health.
Rosemère’s participation holds special significance, reflecting the town’s commitment to improving the well-being of its citizens. By offering free registration, Rosemère hopes to remove barriers to participation and foster an inclusive environment where residents can experience the health benefits of physical activity. The event is supported by the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec, underscoring the role of medical professionals in advocating for public health.
The walk kicks off with a group warm-up at 6:45 PM, providing a space for participants to engage socially while preparing physically. The atmosphere is expected to be festive, with families, friends, and neighbors coming together to share in this simple yet powerful activity: walking. Unlike competitive races, La Grande marche focuses on accessibility, ensuring that individuals of all fitness levels feel welcome.
This event goes beyond promoting physical health—it also highlights the importance of civic participation. Rosemère’s involvement in the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie reinforces the idea that community activities can have a lasting impact. By encouraging residents to come together for a common cause, the walk strengthens the bonds between individuals while simultaneously promoting a healthier society.
Pierre Lavoie, a Quebec-based endurance athlete and health advocate, founded the Grand défi with the vision of improving Quebecers’ health and creating a culture where wellness is the norm. The message of La Grande marche is clear: small actions, like a community walk, can lead to profound changes in personal and collective health.
As Rosemère gears up for this year’s walk, the town is demonstrating how local initiatives can contribute to a larger social movement. Health and community spirit go hand in hand, and events like La Grande marche illustrate the importance of collaboration in achieving long-term public health goals.