It appears participants are running to register for the next fundraising event organized by the Foundation of the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTCC-K).
Run for the Kids.
The second annual edition of Run for the Kids takes place June 23 in Rondeau Provincial Park, and as of the middle of last week, more than 80 per cent of spots for the 5K event were already filled.
“We’re really trying to get it out that if you want to register, get it done now,” Mike Genge, president of the Foundation of CTCC-K, told The Chatham Voice.
Residents of Chatham-Kent historically support important community initiatives and events, but they do tend to have a habit to leave things to the last minute.
In this instance, they may not get one of the 300 spots.
Genge said the 5K will again feature three layers of participants, the dedicated runner, the average jogger, and families who are out to support the centre and just look to put one foot in front of the other until they complete the circuit.
“There’s a group of people who are 5K runners who come to run based on time,” Genge said of the dedicated runners. “We set them out front. They go first. Then we have the average people who can run a 5K. And then we have the families who are pushing strollers or wheelchairs. They’re doing it for their kids who have disabilities. It’s really a three-part deal.”
The foundation embraces all levels, and Genge offers advice to all of them.
“If you’ve registered, please go out and get pledges. This is how we raise money to go out and do our programs for our kids,” he implored.
There will very likely be more than 300 people out on the course for race day. Genge said at the family level, one parent typically registers, but the entire family will take part.
“It’s not meant to be a serious 5K run. If a family registers, say for their child or for one of the parents, the whole family can come out and participate. It’s a family event.”
With that in mind, there is also a 200-metre kids fun walk/run.
Genge said there will also be arts and crafts activities for the kids all morning.
On top of that, the folks at Enbridge Gas, the main sponsor of the event, will be bringing a portable barbecue unit to handle cooking for the day.
“They’re fantastic,” Genge said of Enbridge. “They also bring lots of volunteers.”
This year’s goal is to match the $80,000 raised last year, Genge said.
Race time June 23 is 10 a.m.
To learn more or to register, visit the CTCC-K Foundation website.
