The heart of the matter : sponsorships. The launch of an activity like this requires a significant initial investment, in particular to purchase one or more Kartus running chair for users. It may seem daunting, but there are several options available. The most interesting part for a sponsor, beyond a tangible and direct involvement in the community, is to have visibility within the weekly events and special events such as organized races. Even better if this visibility continues online!

Kartus offers the possibility of creating personalized wheel covers to cover the rear wheels of each outdoor wheelchair. With a diameter of 21 inches, these allow any sponsor to concretely demonstrate their involvement in this unique activity which has a considerable social impact. It is also thanks to sponsors that the shared runs of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, piloted by the Quebec Foundation for Alzheimer's disease and related diseases (FQMAMA), started their project with not one, not two, but ten Kartus chairs! 

Another interesting method of raising the money needed to launch shared runs is to use crowdfunding to mobilize the community. The Shared Runs of Quebec City succeeded in obtaining the important sum of $10,000 thanks to the support of several hundred people in Quebec. You can always consult their La Ruche campaign by clicking on this link.

Several sites are available to organize fundraisers such as:

• La Ruche
• GoFundMe
• Ulule

3. Local organizations: essential partners

The success of the shared races would not be possible without the involvement of various local organizations. These organizations are an important driving force, providing advice and visibility to the various potential participants and the various communities. We are thinking in particular of Handi Apte in Sherbrooke, of CAPVISH in Quebec, of the Amicale des persons handicapped physique de l'Outaouais in Gatineau and many others. This is without forgetting the support of the Quebec Association for the Leisure of the Handicapped (AQLPH) and the various regional associations of recreation for the disabled (ARLPH ) who can guide and assist potential organizers in starting the races.

At the same time, we must not ignore the involvement of the Courailleurs de St-Jean-sur-Richelieu running club. Its members mobilized to assist the Shared Races of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu by “lending” their legs free of charge to the elderly and people with Alzheimer's disease in the region. 

4. An enchanting course... and an accessible one!

Each chapter of the shared runs has a unique element: its course. Naturally, one of the first objectives of this initiative is to create a community and promote social inclusion, but there is also the fact that it is an outdoor activity. It is an important element of runs, because the benefits associated with outdoor activities are multiple.

The choice of route is important and must take into account the sharing of space with other users (when on a cycle path, for example), access to adapted restrooms nearby and the possibility of getting there by adapted transport. It is also necessary to plan a place to perform a transfer. The presence of a place sheltered from the sun is a plus for participants who could wait for a Kartus outdoor wheelchair to become available.

Finally, it is important to plan the storage of strollers between activities. Some opt for a closed trailer that can be moved, others opt for a room near the assembly point. Ideally, this is a place that is easy to access and allows access to the wheelchairs at all times, in the event of a loan or a rental that is not related to the weekly runs.

5. Non-profit or not?

The last step and not the least: should you create a non-profit organization (NPO)? Ideally, yes. This new organization will gain credibility and will be able to establish a governance that will ensure the sustainability of this community actor. Moreover, the status of an organization allows you to apply for grants that can greatly help it!

This little overview of the important things to consider when starting shared runs was done with the past knowledge of the different organizations. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to write to us, it will be our pleasure to accompany you or point you in the right direction.

P.S. Things are happening at Kartus:

• We recently published a magazine with inspiring testimonials
• We shared a first capsule of three on the experience in a Kartus outdoor wheelchair
• We were fortunate to be the winners of the Prix d'Excellence - Affaires from the Association québécoise des loisir municipaux (AQLM).