1,000 people run to Lac-Mégantic to raise money for victims

About 1,000 people ran the 12 kilometres from the Eastern Townships community of Nantes Que. to Lac-Mégantic on Sunday afternoon.

It was a show of support for the town that was rocked by a catastrophic train explosion earlier this month. Many of the runners wore green, the colour of hope.

Red Cross volunteers were at the finish line to collect donations for the people of Lac-Mégantic.

Former NHL hockey player and current federal Green Party candidate Georges Laraque took part in the run.

"It’s so easy to give money, but it’s the time, energy and action that is more important," he said in French to a Radio-Canada reporter. "It’s a perfect day to do this."

The Montreal, Maine & Atlantic train that derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic on July 6 was stationed at Nantes before it got loose. The run traced the route between the two towns.

The runners gathered at the finish line for a moment of silence for those who died in the explosion.