Posted on June 4: Clean air champion to speak at McMaster

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Brandon-Crichton.jpg” caption=”Brandon Crichton”]Brandon Crichton is down on smog.

The 19-year-old, who cycles with the Canadian National team and was awarded the Ontario Road Athlete of the Year, trains hard all year. Summer cycling can be especially challenging, however, as poor air quality affects his cardiovascular capacity.

Brandon will be speaking about the importance of clean air at McMaster's Walk n' Roll Parking Lot party on Friday, June 4. The party, being held in Zone 2 parking lot near the Student Centre, starts at 11:30 a.m. Brandon will speak at approximately 12:20 p.m.

Brandon is speaking courtesy of Clean Air Champions, a national non-profit organization that links respected athletes with events and programs that promote better air quality and healthy lifestyles.

The Walk n' Roll Parking Lot Party is part of McMaster's Commuter Challenge festivities, taking place all this week. The event will feature all things walking and rollingthink bikes, blades, and feetand a free bbq will be provided for participants in the Commuter Challenge.

The Commuter Challenge, a national initiative to encourage travel by bike, bus, foot, rideshare and other active/sustainable modes, fosters friendly competition between communities from coast to coast to determine which has the greatest per capita participation. This year Hamilton has publicly challenged Burlington. McMaster has its own internal challenge where the department with the greatest participation rate will receive lunch at the University Club for its Commuter Challenge participants.

“Competition and prizes aside, Brandon's message is sobering,” says Alternative Commuting & Transportation Office co-ordinator Jennifer Dawson. “Poor air quality affects us all: children, adults, seniors, and national-level athletes. Since our transportation choices account for more than 50 per cent of smog, we can all do our share for clean air.”