Quebec non-profit organization FitSpirit, which promotes physical activity among adolescent girls, is hosting a free fitness challenge for moms and daughters this summer.

Held August 13 and 14, the FitSpirit Mother/Daughter Challenge. invites participants to run, walk, or ride 20, 30, or 40 kilometres over two days. Geared to any mother (or mother figure) and daughter, the challenge aims to inspire girls to get moving while encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle.

“We know that teenage girls relish the opportunity to get together and discover or rediscover physical activity,” says Claudine Labelle, president and founder of FitSpirit. “In this highly specific context, we want to give girls and a maternal figure who is dear to them a chance to share special moments and make memories that will last a lifetime.”

While last year’s event took place virtually, this year  participants can take part remotely from anywhere in the country, or in person at RécréoParc on the South Shore or in Quebec City.

Eight weeks of training

FitSpirit offers a free, virtual training program and a series of weekly challenges to gradually build strength and endurance in the eight weeks leading up to the event. Everyone who signs up will have access to the program, which has video clips with experts, fun challenges, a private Facebook group, and input from a nutritionist and kinesiologist.

31 role models and a partnership

This year, 39 influential business women are joining forces as role models for the 5th edition of the event. They aim to help young girls discover the benefits of physical activity and the role it can play in positive leadership. The women also hope to aid in reversing the alarming trend of girls dropping out of sports when they reach adolescence.

FitSpirit has also confirmed the commitment of Sun Life as a corporate partner for the second year in a row.

Véronique Dorval, senior vice-president, client experience office at Sun Life (a corporate sponsor) says one out of two girls in Canada drops out of sports when they reach puberty.

“As a result, nine out of 10 girls are not meeting Canada’s physical activity guidelines by the end of high school,” she said. “We know that regular physical activity has a positive impact on teenagers’ self-esteem and mental health, which has been under tremendous strain since the pandemic began. With this commitment, Sun Life wants to encourage young women in Quebec to live healthier lives so they will feel great and reach their full potential.”

While registration for the challenge is free, participants are encouraged to take part in a fundraiser to raise money that will help the Quebec non-profit FitSpirit promote physical activity among adolescent girls.

For more details and to register visit fitspirit.ca/challenge.

For extra resources and support, participants can sign up for the private FitSpirit Mother/Daughter Challenge Facebook group.

Related reading: FitSpirit program helps girls stay active