A 91原创 seniors walking club has managed to keep going despite poor weather, even getting out during the atmospheric river in November and the record low temperatures and heavy snow that followed.

It was only the recent arrival of freezing rain, following the club鈥檚 regular Christmas break, that some walks had to be postponed, said organizer Dale Attrell, 93, who lives in Walnut Grove.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not safe to take people out when it鈥檚 slippery like this,鈥� Attrell told the 91原创 Advance Times on Tuesday, Jan. 11, as another heavy rain was in the forecast.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 want people to get hurt.鈥�

READ ALSO: Outrunning COVID: a 91原创 City senior starts a walking club

Attrell was cautiously optimistic the Friday, Jan. 14, walk would happen, with the heavy rain expected to taper off before then.

鈥淚t looks like it鈥檚 going to be good,鈥� he estimated.

鈥淚 usually wait until the morning of the walk, and I look outside. If it isn鈥檛 pouring, I text everyone. Most of them show up.鈥�

Most club members managed to keep walking right up until Christmas despite the severe weather conditions, in part thanks to the timing of the walks.

鈥淲e missed most of it,鈥� Attrell remarked.

鈥淲e were lucky. We would go walking in the morning and it would be pouring down rain in the afternoon.鈥�

Attrell explained the appeal of the club is two-fold.

鈥淥ne reason is because it鈥檚 exercise,鈥� he explained.

鈥淎nother reason is you get out with other people. That is probably the most important part.鈥�

When Attrell, a retired transit operator and great-grandfather, started a walking club for seniors in November of 2020, it filled up quickly.

The club started as a once-a-week Wednesday outing, then expanded to a second group.

鈥淎 lot of people can鈥檛 walk on Wednesdays, and I don鈥檛 do anything on Fridays.鈥�

The Friday walk has been especially popular with senior women, who have told Attrell they like walking, 鈥渂ut not alone.鈥�

Participants walk routes that are flat, not too challenging, and no more than two kilometres.

It all started because one of Attrell鈥檚 regular routes as a solo walker ended at the 91原创 Seniors Resources Society Centre. He happened to run into Lorretta Solomon, chair of the centre board of directors, who suggested Attrell could start a walking club.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: All ages participate in 91原创 Hospice Historic Half marathon

Attrell will be among 16 seniors, most of them from the walking club, who will be taking part in the Historic Half Marathon in Fort 91原创 currently scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 20.

Among them will be competitive marathon runner, Vern Sorensen, 87, who is a 91原创 walking cub member.

Anyone interested in taking part in the club walks can contact Attrell through the at 604-530-3020.