(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

5th annual

Amazing Race to Inclusion gives participants a chance to experience everyday challenges often overlooked

May 30, 2025 | 4:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — The fifth annual Amazing Race to Inclusion took over downtown Kamloops on Friday (May 30), with 21 teams completing challenges throughout the morning. Approximately 8 million people in Canada live with one or more disabilities. The Amazing Race to Inclusion provides an opportunity for people to experience those challenges first hand, gaining a better understanding of what many take for granted.

Walking, running and rolling out from Sandman Centre Friday morning, 21 groups of four received a hands-on education on living in Kamloops with a disability, facing the first unofficial challenge mere metres for the start line.

“I think of the things I’ve had to overcome as an able-bodied person, and having all my faculties, open my eyes and away I go. But a lot of people do not have that luxury. It makes you take a step back and that’s a good thing,” said participant Kevin Rudy.

Each team had one member in a wheelchair needing to guide its way up and down hills, over sidewalk bumps and even onto a BC Transit bus.

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“When we were on the bus and stuff, we kind of had a fumble on where to go and everybody was super gracious trying to help, trying to figure it out. Like six people were trying to help me get into the proper position,” added Darby.

In addition to wheelchairs, participants experienced a lack of sight and even being non-verbal.

“The whole day it was all extremely challenging and I just wanted to remove those barriers. And I realize even though we have slopes and such, they aren’t adequate for people who have the challenges they face,” said Amanda Armstrong after completing the race.

While most were experiencing the challenges for the first time, one group was keenly aware what some residents deal with as they try to navigate everyday life.

“For people who are sighted and for people who are without any disability issues, it’s promoting education and promoting awareness,” said Vern Short, president of the Kamloops White Cane Club.

Five years down, the Amazing Race to Inclusion is showing no signs of stopping, with organizers already looking ahead to 2026.

“I think that is the really important part of the race is the conversation at the end where people talk about what they have learned and just ideas around simple changes you can make around your workplace, your home, within the community itself to make it more accessible for everybody,” said Justine Richmond.

It’s an eye-opening event for each and every participant, into a long list of things many take for granted.

“We get to leave the wheelchair behind here, take the blind goggles off and there are a lot of people out there who don’t get to. It’s important to have that consideration — for other people to understand how difficult it may really be to actually live with that,” said Emily.