Take Me Outside : Running Across the Canadian Landscape That Shapes Us

You’d think starting a non-profit organization aimed at getting young people to spend less time in front of screens and more time outside would be difficult enough. But with a decrepit support vehicle housing two dogs that despised each other, a good friend who quit after five months, a lot of peanut butter, and a hope to inspire thousands of students, Colin Harris decided to kick off this venture by running 7600 kilometres, the equivalent of 181 marathons, across Canada. And to ensure this was a truly Canadian venture, he started in the bleak and snowy month of January.

Take Me Outside is Colin’s story of spending nine months running from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Victoria, British Columbia, visiting over 80 schools along the way to chat with students about the importance and beauty of the Canadian landscape. With one of the biggest and best backyards in the world, people across Canada are spending the vast majority of their time inside, mostly in front of screens. Yet, our identity as Canadians has always been rooted in our relationship with the outdoors and the time we spend outside. Increasingly, however, this profound relationship is in jeopardy. Part story, part call to action, this wildly entertaining book not only recounts what it’s like to run across the world’s second-largest country but also implores readers of all ages to reignite their connection with the outdoors.