NAME: Grant Spelsberg

Hometown: Fort St. John, British Columbia

Carrying Torch: Fort Nelson
Torchbearer number: OTR095-004           

Torch Relay Segment: February 1^st, 2010

Age: 56

Torchbearer Story:

Grant Spelsberg has lived an active lifestyle since his childhood. He participated in every sport that was available through elementary and high school.  Fun, exercise and the challenge of each activity were his motivation. Spelberg was always phoning his friends to go bike riding or playing tag, baseball and football. In his backyard, he used to host mini Olympics, which involved kids from the whole neighbourhood. 

As a parent, Spelsberg encourages his children to “live active”. When he went to university to become a physical education teacher, he immediately understood the importance of endurance, flexibility and strength and incorporated them into his own active lifestyle. During his 34 years of teaching, these three components have been the cornerstones of Spelsberg’s physical education lessons. He has organized a variety of fun fitness activities involving students from Grades 1 to 7 during recess and lunch.

Outside of school, Spelsberg is the contact person for the local running club and head coach for the community track and field club. He is also the point of contact for people interested in becoming runners or improving their running. He has organized annual races for the community as well as a number of “Learn to Run” clinics for runners of all ages. As he has grown older, Spelsberg continues to participate and compete in running, cross-country skiing, cycling and golf.

NAME: Jane Treweeke

Hometown: Terrace, British Columbia

Carrying Torch: Kitimat

Torchbearer number: OTR095-011           

Torch Relay Segment: February 1^st, 2010

Age: 57

Torchbearer Story:

This is the story of Jane Treweeke and her three friends. They challenged themselves physically and mentally. They also realized they can be totally independant and do anything they want. It started with occasional short walks, but soon Treweeke and her three friends were walking 3-5 kilometres daily. Conversations ensued and lead to a series of goals and challenges. The women started yoga for flexibility, strength and relaxation. Treweeke and her friends also started day hiking and learned to snowshoe. 

For the past five years, Treweeke and her three friends have gone on week long hikes, carrying all their gear. Two of the ladies even took their daughters cycling half way across Canada. Eventually, friends and acquaintances began noticing the groups’ energy, healthy appearances and how good and confident they felt about themselves.

People wanted to join in. Now there are nice of them on their week long hikes and another ten on their overnight hikes. Twelve people even joined them for a mountain snowshoe to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks.