Because life is short, running is hard, and chocolate tastes damn good! Fresh air, exercise and chocolate - really, what else do you need?
When I was into serious jogging, the thought of a frosty cool drink at the end of my 5-10 km runs was sufficient motivation to keep me going. But that's so retro I have discovered. Now, joggers can look forward to chocolate! Does it get any better? Well yes, they could add peanut butter, but that's a tad avante-garde. Maybe in another decade when running gets liberalized.
Next month at the annual Chocolate Race, one can combine the enjoyment of fresh Niagara air, a brisk walk or a healthy run and the aforementioned chocolate, set in quaint
Port Dalhousie, more noted for rowing but not for long, as the serious appeal of tasty carbs makes its siren call to those addicted to its succulent and sensuous charms.
The Chocolate Race is set for the weekend of August 27-28 and will combine 5 and 10 km walks and runs (and a 10 mile run) with everyone's favourite treat: chocolate! Decadent brownies and chocolate and martini pairings will start the day off on Saturday, and the race on Sunday features a fruit-and-marshmallow chocolate dipping station along with soft serve chocolate ice cream. At the end: chocolate croissants. Chocolate milk. Champagne truffles and salty, dark chocolate caramels. Do you need a better excuse to strap on your running gear? And really, if French aristocrat,
Mary Antoinette, could re-state it over again, surely it would be, "Let them eat chocolate!"
"The Chocolate Race is more than just a run," declares founder and organizer Diane Chesla, a lifelong runner. "It's a good workout, but we've also introduced all kinds of fun: it's become a street festival - with runners."
New this year is a partnership with
Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada to raise awareness of issues associated with anxiety. My chief anxiety is - will there be any
chocolate left after my run. (I'm much slower these days.) Runners are encouraged to raise funds, individually or as teams of up to 10 people. All fundraisers are eligible to win the grand prize of a chauffeured travelling chocolate aid station. Now that's what I call an attractive emergency support system!
What's the theory behind this calorific madness? Chesla says, "Exercise is hard - and running in particular is really, really boring." She answers my prayers with, "The last three runners or walkers to come in at each event receive prizes." (Chocolate, of course!)
Last year almost 1,000 chocoholics signed up for the race, a combination of fitness buffs who like to have fun, as well as curious types who have never participated in a competition before. What better way to start? And lots of ladies, of course, who often value chocolate more than men, and rightly so, I guess. In fact, the majority of participants are women, but it's clear that there are a few altruistic guys who enjoy chocolate too while checking out the ladies. Add peanut butter next year for the guys, and watch what happens!
Saturday the 27th is the warm-up date with a runners' "Sweat Couture" fashion show and body painting; Sunday is dedicated to the race. To find out more, visit
www.thechocolaterace.com or call 905-932-6356.
