Vancouver ST-ers - Memorial Run on Saturday for Wendy Ladner-Beaudry

Triathlon Forum
1

An informal run/ride in Pacific Spirit Park is being organized to coincide with the memorial that is being held this Saturday for Wendy Ladner-Beaudry.

Following is the email from Alana, the organizer (PM me if you need more details):

I am sure everyone is aware of the violent attack which took place in our UBC trails this past Friday. A horrific incident which took the life of a beautiful, caring mother and wife. Wendy was out doing what she loved in a place many of us escape to for fitness, fresh air and enjoyment. Those who knew Wendy are in shock and carry a heavy weight of heartache. Those of us who did not know her, feel her loss through different emotions, including the numbness of something so tragic happening in a place many call a sanctuary.

This Saturdy while family and friends attend Wendy’s memorial service, I would like to gather an informal group of running and mtn biking friends to “take back the trails”. Those who would like to join in a casual run/ride Saturday morning in honor and in memory of Wendy Ladner-Beaudry are invited to meet at the trailhead at 33rd and Comosun at 9am.

Wendy’s husband, Michel Beaudry stated in an interview (I quote) "… wife was such an ardent runner and community activist that - if it had been someone else slain in the park - she would have organized “take-back-the-park” runs and bike rides through Pacific Spirit Park … She would have been the first to tell people not to be frightened or cowed, not to become prisoners of our own fear.”

So, lets pull together and lift the shadow which has been cast over Pacific Spirit Park. Let’s get back in to the trails and honor Wendy!

Hope to see you there!

2

I’m not allowed to run these days so I can’t participate, but I think this is an excellent idea! Those very trails are where I do the vast majority of my running (when healthy) and I’d hate to see the public scared off, or worse, have some sort of horrible government overreaction like paving and lighting the trails, with “Alarm” posts every 50m (or even closing them down, which would be much cheaper).

3

I just googled the incident. Kinda scary that something like that happened in such a busy area in the middle of the afternoon.

I hope there is a good turn out, both for her family and to send signals to others about the area.

4

This really hit close to home as quite a few of the women I train with are very similar to Wendy - they’re very active, involved in the sporting community, have kids, and spend a lot of time running in the trails.

Hopefully there’s a good turnout tomorrow.

5

Quite so. I’ll be looking at the Globe and Sun to see how it went but would be interested to hear your thoughts.