J.D. Irving is proud of our two employees who completed a 100-mile off-road running race in August. Derek Lounder, Material Planner at the Irving Personal Care diaper plant in Moncton, New Brunswick and Duane Olsen, Facilities Manager at Universal Properties in Dieppe, New Brunswick completed the first race of this kind in Atlantic Canada.

Not for the faint of heart, the run covers the highest cliffs on mainland Nova Scotia and along the waters of the world’s highest tides. Runners came from across Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia to run and hike Cape d’Or, Cape Spencer and Cape Chignecto.

Not only do both Duane and Derek work for J.D. Irving companies, they are also father and son-in-law.

“Ninety-seven people signed up for the 100-mile race of which 57 finished,” said Duane Olsen, father-in-law.

“It’s been really interesting working with Duane,” said son-in-law Derek Lounder. “He’s really come a long way from doing a hike together two years ago to running a 100-mile race this year. It’s pretty unbelievable.”

Duane ran and power hiked without sleep to complete the race in 29 hours and 16 minutes. Derek, a more seasoned runner, completed the off-road race in 24 hours and 56 minutes. The two trained together for over a year.

Adopting healthy lifestyles and making positive choices that enhance an individual’s productivity and well-being is something that J.D. Irving supports.

“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, is something that J.D. Irving strongly supports in their employees,” said Denise Gauvin, RN OHN and Occupational Wellness Coordinator for J.D. Irving, Limited. “We offer many internal wellness programs for our employees but also encourage them to branch out into other avenues of interest that will keep them physically active.”

Derek Lounder, Irving Personal Care                         Duane Olsen, Universal Properties

Congratulations to Derek Lounder and Duane Olsen on this great achievement.