Christine Blanchette loves to run, so much so that she transformed that passion into a career.
Run With It is a local television program on Novus TV’s Community Channel via Shaw Media. Blanchette is the host and explores Metro Vancouver’s vibrant running scene. She interviews athletes, provides nutrition and wellness advice, and showcases a number of trails in and around British Columbia. In her free time, Blanchette writes for a few other publications, including Women’s Post!
Run With It is regarded as BC’s only running, fitness, and health shows. Women’s Post sat down with Blanchette to find out how Run With It started and where she wants to be in another five years!
Q: How did Run With It start?
A: I always had a passion for running and thought it would be great to have a show on running, fitness and health. My producer friend Doug Lucas suggested I send him my show idea, and we then put together a proposal and a pilot to submit to Shaw. It was accepted and the show first aired in 2013.
Why local cable – it’s a form of broadcast that seems to be disappearing?
Shaw was accepting show proposals and it would be great to have air first on cable. I believe we still need both traditional [broadcast] and social media to engage our audience or viewers.
Your show has been around for five years – what has changed since you started? What have you learned?
The TV landscape has changed in that fewer people are watching TV. YouTube has become more popular or building your show online seems to be the best to attract viewers or subscribers.
Who has been your favourite person to interview?
That is a good question. There are so many, but I would have to say international recording artist Bif Naked. She is engaging and a delightful person.
What’s your background? What did you do prior to Run With It?
I have been in broadcasting prior to 2013. I used to be a live host [and do] half hours interviews for a show called WestSide profile on Rogers TV. I’ve done freelance hosting and was also a production assistant. I did that for about 10 years. I also studied at BCIT part-time in the evenings.
What advice do you have for women who may not be super fit, who are thinking of taking up running this summer?
I think the key is to see your doctor first before starting to run. Find a program that will allow you to [transition] your running, like an interval walking-running program.
What are your hopes for the next five years?
My hopes are to keep building my show and have my show on network television.
Watch Run With It on Blanchette’s Youtube channel.
