Laurentian team at 2005 Ontario Provincials. Photo by Paul Graham

In stark defiance of national statistics that say Sudbury is an unhealthy, out of shape city, Sudbury's Laurentian Masters continue to lead the Million Metre Challenge.

As well, swimmers in all 10 Canadian provinces are now participating in the Challenge.

Laurentian remains ahead of Trillium Y (in Ontario), Moncton, and Nepean.

So far, there are 29 of 61 registered Laurentian swimmers on board.

"The main reason we're leading is that we've got a bunch of junkies swimming for us," laughs Laurentian's MMC Rep Andrea Ford.

Head coach Phil Parker calls the Million Metre challenge swimmers distance junkies, she says.

"We are also a big group of athletes and health conscious individuals who like to keep track of our progress.  Not to mention the sense of club spirit that it promotes knowing that you are part of THE #1 club in the country!! I like being called a "distance junkie." It takes the bad connotations out of the word junkie."

Laurentian Masters used its annual Christmas party and time trial on December 1 to encourage club members to sign up.

As well, the club has 10 sessions per week in its Olympic size pool on the campus of Laurentian University. Each session is 90-minutes long except for Saturday morning, which is a 2 hour workout.

More importantly for Ford, all levels of swimmers at Laurentian have joined the Million Metre Challenge, including Laurentian's youngest and oldest swimmers.

Considerable participation from Atlantic Canada has encouraged MSC president Chris Smith.

"MSC in particular and aquatics in general have never figured out how we could adequately serve this part of the country. The MMC is one answer," says Smith.

 The MMC has grown by 70% a month in both clubs and swimmers since summer. "Perhaps if we advertise that it is a good way to work off the excessive calorie intake over the festive season, we can achieve a 70% increase this month also," Smith adds.