A young Vancouver Island athlete is challenging Canada鈥檚 prime minister to a race.
Mackenzie Loyer, 16, has issued a challenge to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to run in the annual Port Alberni Paper Chase, scheduled for March 8 at Cherry Creek Community Hall.
Loyer first came up with the idea after seeing Tofino listed as one of the 20 best places in the world to visit by CNN.
鈥淚 know [Justin Trudeau] always goes to Tofino with his family,鈥� said Loyer. 鈥淚n order for him to get there, he has to go to Port Alberni. It would be cool to see him stopping along the way, helping out our community and bringing more awareness to Port Alberni.鈥�
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The Paper Chase is a 15-kilometre race, the fifth race in the Vancouver Island Race Series and 鈥渘ot too bad鈥� in terms of difficulty, says Loyer.
This will be Loyer鈥檚 third year competing in the race series. Last year, at age 15, she won first overall in the 16-19 year age category. Loyer, who is currently in Grade 11 at Alberni District Secondary School, also runs with the ADSS track and field club.
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Loyer started running in 2016. Her very first race was the No. 7 Challenge, where participants run against Port Alberni鈥檚 steam train and end up at McLean Mill National Historic Site. At 12 years old, she won the 23 and under division.
鈥淸Running] can be very challenging,鈥� said Loyer. 鈥淏ut being able to push through the pain, and knowing I can do anything鈥攖hat translates to all aspects of my life. I can push through the tough times and get to the better times.鈥�
But her competitive nature is not the only thing driving Loyer to issue a challenge to Canada鈥檚 prime minister. She also cares deeply about Port Alberni, and feels that the town is often ignored.
鈥淚 really think we need to start promoting Port Alberni,鈥� said Loyer. 鈥淧ort Alberni鈥檚 in the shadows. It鈥檚 a great town. The trails are beautiful, the lakes are beautiful. It鈥檚 just beautiful scenery here. We really need growth to get better as a community.鈥�
One person who has encouraged Loyer in her racing career is Courtenay-Alberni NDP MP Gord Johns. Loyer first met Johns when she was volunteering with the Triconic Challenge back in 2017.
鈥淚t was my first time meeting a real politician,鈥� Loyer explained. 鈥淚鈥檝e come to respect him not only as a politician, but as a friend who encourages me at the races I attend and cheers me on. He just really wants to bring change to Port Alberni.鈥�
Alana Brown, Loyer鈥檚 mother, said that Johns reached out to the family with a phone call after hearing about the challenge.
鈥淗e said he wouldn鈥檛 be able to attend, but he called her to wish her the best,鈥� said Brown. 鈥淗e鈥檚 such a big support for her.鈥�
Loyer has not yet heard back from Trudeau or his office, but she鈥檚 hoping the prime minister will take up the challenge.
Port Alberni made national news last summer when a pair of young men from the small Vancouver Island city were involved in a Canada-wide manhunt. Loyer is hoping to change Port Alberni鈥檚 reputation.
READ MORE: Port Alberni fights bad reputation in international media amid manhunt for wanted teens
鈥淧ort Alberni received some bad press last summer,鈥� said Loyer. 鈥淚 would like the people of Canada to know that we are a community that cares about each other.鈥�
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
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