Local Olympic hopeful Julia Corrente isn't one to back down from a challenge -- even if that challenge is single-handedly pushing an 8,000 lb fire truck.
In an effort to raise money to finance her preparations for the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 26-year-old bobsledder from Chatham decided to push the fire truck during this year's Chatham-Kent Ribfest.
"I wanted to be challenged and wanted something that was going to be really heavy," she says. "I just thought, those things are big trucks and that is something I can challenge myself with. So we went for it."
On Saturday, Corrente was cheered on by fans as she pushed the truck 182.5 ft in front of Tecumseh Park on William St. S.
She says she exceeded her expectations.
"I expected to only push the truck 100 ft," she says. "So I'm really happy to make that feat."
Corrente has managed to raise two thirds of her fundraising budget for the season, and says she's had support from many members of the local community as well as local businesses.
Corrente competed in the North American Cup Circuit during the 2014-15 season where she placed third overall. She also placed second at the Canadian Woman's two-man competition and made history as part of the first all women's four person team to race in an international competition.
Corrente will be heading to Calgary this week to begin training with her national team.