Olympic effort

LISMORE - When the Olympic torch passed through Pictou County last November, it sparked a desire to celebrate the games among several Lismore residents.
While travelling to British Columbia might not be in the cards for many of them, they've walked far enough to get them there - and partway back again, says Don Butler.
"It's 6,400 kilometers from Lismore to Whistler, so we got the idea that as a community, we'd try to walk that far," explains Don Butler.
"Seventy days later and we've reached Whistler and we're on our way back again. We've far surpassed our total, we haven't got it all added up yet, but we're over 10,000 kilometres."
The idea came about as a way to celebrate the Olympic Games and keep active during the long days of winter, he explained.
Butler, personally, walked 420 kms, doing a six-km course every day.
"I didn't miss a day - I even went Christmas Day, and in these cold days," he said. "I didn't want to break the streak."
As word spread, more than 40 people became involved in the project, from rughooking groups to a knitting circle.
Participants were able to keep track of all types of physical activity, like playing basketball and hockey, to add to their totals.
"I think we all got through the long winter healthier than ever," he added, saying that he's hoping the community will come together to take on a similar project again in the future.