A huge crowd of runners and walkers hit the streets of Amherstburg on Canada Day.
The Canada Day Walk/Run attracted almost 1,000 runners and walkers, when the kids dash and the 5K run/walk were combined. Organizer Molly Allaire, who worked with her husband Dan and Walkers and Runners Around Essex County (WRACE) to present the event, said there were 967 participants overall. A total of 200 were in the kids dash with the rest being in the main run and walk.
“Holy cow!” said Allaire, near the end of Monday morning’s event. “So many smiles and everyone has been so kind and patient. What an amazing day!
Allaire said all bills have been paid and proceeds have been counted. The proceeds total approximately $22,000 and they will be split between three local charities. Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission and the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club will be the recipients.
The main sponsor was Movati with “moose” sponsors including Joe Meloche Ford, Nor-Built Construction, Rob & Tina’s No Frills and Rivertown Dental. Sponsors at the “beaver” level were Walker Aggregates, and Hamilton Insurance, and “goose” sponsors were Flow Café and Bikes, Parrothead Poppers, Wolfhead Distillery, and the Fort Family Fun Centre. “None of this would have worked or happened if I didn’t have the community support, volunteers stepping up, and businesses helping make it happen,” said Allaire. “It’s a lot of work but seeing so many people in our streets and the smiles everywhere makes us feel so whole. I just want to say thank you because it really is everyone coming together that makes this race perfect.”
Runners and walkers came in from not only around Amherstburg, Windsor-Essex County and southwestern Ontario, but from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, British Columbia and Saskatchewan as well. The furthest participants Allaire met were from Bristol, England, who were in Canada for the first time.
“It’s cool,” she said.
Calling the run/walk the “kickoff to a party all day in our town,” Allaire added people enjoy getting out and doing something and having fun.
Runners, walkers celebrate Canada Day in Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu