Interview With The Running Tourist
May 25th, 2009VICKY:
Last month we posted an entry on the blog about running tourism and some of the companies around the world who offer tours.
GRANT:
I was lucky enough to get in contact with Heather Beauchesne who created the Montreal running tours group called The Running Tourist. First of all, I invite you to visit her website which is wicked cool. You’ll see they offer tours around the Old Port and also The Plateau. They have a Rainbow Run which is open to Gays and Lesbians, locals and visitors. Running tourism is a great way to get out an explore a city and meet people.
Heather, What inspired you to create this business?
HEATHER:
Well…. As an import to Montreal, I am originally from Saskatchewan, the last few years’ morning run have been accompanied by a camera, so that I could share the sites with my family and friends back home; I see Montreal as the mystery, as an outside would. In addition, my runs were solo and usually took place in the Old Port (I live only a few blocks away), I craved to find a regular running partner, although the faces I passed were continually new, tourists.
This past summer I took a trip to Barcelona and unlike myself (horrible tourist) actually joined a tour, a biking tour. It was sweet, after 2 hrs I was able to pull off 95% of the “must see” tabs in my visitors guide book. The bike ride took place in the first few hours of my stay, for the balance of the visit I had my sneakers, but because I am notorious for getting lost in new surroundings I left them in my suitcase. Subsequently, I felt rather… soft by the time I arrived home.
Into the following winter, as I am not a winter runner nor treadmiller, I was craving an outdoor run. Scrolling through the international marathon trips offered online I stumbled across a running tourism article in Canadian Running magazine. The article featured New York City Tours and Quebec Jogging Tours, mentioning how running was an up and coming form of tourism in Europe and the United States.
After contacting New York City Tours and Quebec Jogging Tours and concluding that I would not be working for their Montreal division, I decided to start something myself.
So there it hatched, the Running Tourist. It’s a win win, visitors have the opportunity to see the sites of Montreal, with a bit of history and culture dialogue, while getting their run in, and I get running partners! Yeah!
I also need to mention here that I wanted to be part of something where everyone involved benefits, no one is at a loss.
GRANT:
Did you model this after another similar business operating in another city?
HEATHER:
Hmm, yes and no. Initially I did some research on international running tour companies, and the service/concept is pretty consistent and straight forward, you have three ingredients: city pavement, running tourists, and someone who knows what’s going on. Of course, like myself, you don’t want to run down a straight, single path with someone who’s monologue sounds something like the adults in a Charlie Brown episode, so there is quite a bit of thought and time that is put into the Running Tourist dialogues and routes.
GRANT:
Who designed your website? It is really effective.
HEATHER:
I designed the website, I have a background in art, fashion and design so… it was the best thing to do, otherwise the graphist would have strangled me as I stood over his/her shoulder. Although, there are problems when you move from studio design to web design… apparently my setup is not so installer friendly and this has put a slight halt in the launch of the Frenchified version – as many have been asking….
GRANT:
How do you choose your guides?
HEATHER:
Personality. Okay yes, they need to be avid runners, but personality is key. If they make me laugh and feel comfortable in their presence after a few minutes of hanging out, they’re in.
GRANT:
What is your own background in running?
HEATHER:
I remember in grade 6 I decided to go for my first run, and my brother joined me with his dirty bike. I grew up on a farm, there were grid roads, and I don’t remember the run lasting very long, just up to the end of the driveway. The next time I ran was about 8 years later, same thing. Don’t get me wrong, I played sport, a lot of sport, every sport that came my way, but never individual endurance running. Then in my early to mid twenties I started running to compensate for the smoking and partying. 1 year ago I kicked that and then just started running as my main high. And so far so great. Okay, I was a bit grumpy at first, but now I’m a continually running ball of joy ![]()
I’m not a crazy, amazing, blow your hair back, runner; I appreciate what running has done for me, my clarity and focus, and want to share that and my city with others.
GRANT:
What is the best city to do running tourism in (besides Montreal)?
HEATHER:
Ooh, somewhere really flat.. Saskatoon! Kidding – actually, no I’m not, Saskatoon is gorgeous and we have sweet trails along the river and into sections of the city itself. I have to admit that I have not done a lot of running in the cities I’ve visited, besides being notorious for taking wrong turns I, until this winter, did not think to look for running tours – new beginnings, new beginnings
GRANT:
I know you are connected to Hope Runs. You are hosting a non profit event at the end of this month (May 31st) How can the iRun community help out?
HEATHER:
When I constructed the Running Tourist business plan, in addition to the concept that everyone involved benefits, I wanted to make the effort of having at least 1 event per month that was non-profit. I wanted these events to not only interest runners but non-runners as well and follow the concept of think global, act local.
I contacted a few groups: Hope Runs, 60 Million Girls and the Bruny Surin Foundation to see if they were interested in being a special guest in a RT run where they could present their cause and lead a Q&A afterwards.
The month of May is hosting Hope Runs. Hope Runs is an NGO initiated by Claire and Lara, two runners (now runners, at the time no), who headed out for a summer trip and ended up staying in Kenya working with AIDS orphans. The ladies use running as a means to boost the kids’ self esteem and focus, it’s amazing and so incredibly resourceful!
The iRun community can help in several ways. If iRun readers are in Montreal on Sunday, May 31/09 run the 10k fun-run with us and Natasha Peters (a Canadian member of Hope Runs 777 Challenge team), and if they are not interested in running they can catch up with us at the following Q&A at the Liquid Nutrition spot. The Q&A is to inform people of what the girls/Hope Runs have accomplished, their future plans, and where/how WE can help out. If iRun readers are not in Montreal for the fun-run weekend just the act of simply reading this article has informed them that Hope Runs exists and in turn they will perhaps be encourage to get involved themselves or pass the word on to a friend, family member or colleague.
We can all only do our best, we just have to make sure this is what we’re doing! That’s where running comes in handy;)
GRANT:
Thanks Heather.
VICKY:
I think this is such a great idea and using it as a way to give to worthy causes is excellent. Check out her website and next time you are in Montreal…. go for a run around town!
Tags: 60 Million Girls, Hope Runs, Natasha Peters, The Bruny Surin Foundation, The Negative Splits, The Running Tourist, Vicky and Grant










January 24th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Update guys!! If at all possible, please help me get the word out across Canada!
RT, running across Canada for your community
Non-profit . Across Canada
We need runners!
In 2009, RT was the first of its kind to offer visitors to Montreal, Qc., Canada, the opportunity to incorporate site seeing into their daily exercise. RT’s choice, geographical routes were accompanied by experienced local runners. With an easy-going demeanor and energetic smile, RT offered a carefree run with friendly conversation. The goal here was to have fun, take a run through the picturesque city of Montreal, smile, and sweat. It was, and still is, plain and simple.
This year, 2010, we’ve changed our footing, so to speak. The concept and services of RT are not only offered in Montreal, Qc., but across Canada.
In addition, all proceeds are no longer pocket change. That’s right, your smiles, sweat and sneakers will be running for a local charity, high school or cause.
Why the revision? RT is not, and will never be, about competition, speed (believe me, I’ve headed a few of the runs), or self-interest. It’s about sharing and contributing. We may not be able to “move” our guests spiritually (I actually advise you, future RT lead runners, to keep that info to yourself unless otherwise asked), but we can move them across Canada, a few Km at a time, building their knowledge and our communities.
Learn how you can run with RT by hitting the link below:
http://runningtourist.ca/RT% 20about.php5
Not a runner? Forward this email to someone you know who does, ungrudgingly, throw on his or her sneakers. Or, make note of the Running Tourist website (www.runningtourist.ca) and mention this opportunity to the lady that runs by your living room window every morning at 6am, or to the gentleman on the treadmill at the gym.
See you on the pavement!
Heather Beauchesne
Director
RUNNING TOURIST
info@runningtourist.ca
http://www.runningtourist.ca
Facebook group: Running Tourist . Canada
Running Tourist . Canada . Why walk when you can run.