The ninth edition of Katie’s Run will be unlike any in the past.
The annual event to raise awareness of epilepsy, as well as money towards research, has had to go virtual this year as a result of COVID-19, spokesperson Trudy Pogue said.
“But we are working hard to make it a very real experience, and to raise real funds for a very real need,” she said.
Pogue said this year’s theme is about sharing stories of children and youth living with epilepsy. They can be found at katiesrun.ca.
She added the great thing about this year’s event is participants get to choose where they run or walk, and don’t have to travel to Haliburton.
“You can walk or run with your family right in your own neighbourhood. And, you can run your run or walk your walk anytime you like on Saturday, July 11,” she said. “It doesn’t get any easier.”
People are encouraged to register early because organizers are sending race kits by mail. Pogue said once people make the decision to join, they can start planning their route and getting creative. There will be prizes for the most outstanding outfit, the finest finish line, the most ridiculously random route, and the most moJJa purple peace socks in a pretty picture.
People can register for the 5K, 10K or 2.5K at raceroster.com/events/2020/29401/ katies-run-for-epilepsy-2020.
On the morning of July 11, participants can join Katie’s Run on Facebook and/or Instagram for a warmup, special guest appearances and a send-off. Walkers and runners are urged to take photos, post them, tag Katie’s Run and use the hashtags: #KR2020 #stillrunningforepilepsy #stillwalkingforepilepsy. If you like, you can also post your results.
Participants can check in all day long on social media for updates, photos, announcements and guest appearances by: ‘Man in Motion,’ Rick Hansen, Anthony Farnell and Storm the Weather Dog; Cassidy Megan, Purple Day Founder; Matt Duchene, NHL Nashville Predators and Alex Kopacz, Olympic bobsled medalist. There will also be an online auction. For more information, see katiesrun.ca, and on Facebook and Instagram. If you can’t make it, Pogue encourages donations to raceroster. com/events/2020/29401/katies-run-forepilepsy-2020/pledge/participant/9217056.
Katie’s Run was started by Haliburton girl, Katie Woudstra, who suffers from epilepsy, along with her mother Geri.
Terry Fox Run moves online
Meanwhile, Minden Hills Terry Fox Run organizer, Barb Millington, said their event will also be virtual this year.
The date is Sunday, Sept. 20.
On their Facebook page, they said The Terry Fox Foundation had announced that Canadians will continue to support cancer research through virtual runs from coast to coast to coast this September.
They added, “Terry once said, ‘anything is possible if you try.’ Today, now 40 years later, we will have to innovate as well – we can’t think of anything that Terry would appreciate more.
“Help us celebrate the 40th anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope by joining us as you have in the past, just a bit different this year. On Sept. 20, participate wherever you are, around the neighbourhood of Minden, in your own backyard, or just donate to what we all know is a great cause. We will unite in spirit, not in person.”
For more, follow Terry Fox Virtual Run 2020
Highland Yard goes virtual
The 2020 Highland Yard will be a virtual home run/walk where people can pick their race and run it where, when and how they want. There’ll be the usual 2, 5 and 10km runs as well a heritage 7.3k race. It’s in recognition of the original Heineken Yard race distance, run between Camp Onondaga to the Rockcliffe Tavern in Minden, in 1971. However, organizers said there is also a freestyle category this year.
“Want to do a backwards 100 metres, 500 metres worth of laps around the living room, a one-kilometre walk or a 25-kilometre bike ride while wearing a snorkel? This is the race for you.”
For more details, see highlandyard.ca
