Bob Blair, 81, is not a quitter.
He’s sold cars to Windsor and Essex County drivers for close to 54 years and there’s no talk of retirement. And on Sunday, Nov. 13, he’ll be at the start line helping organize the 22nd annual Jingle Bell run, a race he started.
Blair started running when he was 60 years old and immediately turned his energy toward marathons and within no time had nine under his belt. He also joined Walkers Runners Around County of Essex 20 years ago and used its help to pull off his annual run. Although WRACE is now defunct, members still help time the race for Blair.
“I don’t run anymore but only because I’ve had a triple bypass and doctors don’t think it’s a good idea,” he said. “But I love the running community. They’ve all got a story and they all want to get another story.”
Community Living Essex County is the charity attached to the annual Christmas run, which has grown to almost 1,000 participants over 20 years. The five- and 10-kilometre walk/run has always started and ended in the Ken Knapp parking lot.
Community Living Essex County supports more than 650 people with intellectual disabilitiesas they develop their capacity to live, learn, work and participate in the community.
The 22nd annual Jingle Bell Run, Walk and Wheel takes place Sunday, Nov. 13 at 9:45 a.m at Ken Knapp Ford in Essex. Check out communitylivingessex.org/jingle-bell-run for more information.
