Organizers for the fourth annual Run for the Kids fundraiser are about halfway around their pre-event course; halfway to their goal of about 300 race registrants.
Mike Genge, president and CEO of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation (CTCF) of Chatham-Kent, said registration recently reached the 150 mark, between adults and children signing up to take part. He’s confident they’ll get to their goal by June 14, race day.
The event, which takes place in Rondeau Provincial Park, is a fundraiser for the CTCF, and one that has pulled in about $320,000 in just three years. The funds raised go directly to support programs and services at the Children’s Treatment Centre that are not funded through government sources, including social work, therapeutic recreation, and music therapy.
Run for the Kids features a 200-metre kids run, as well as a 5K walk/run/move event for anyone interested. Both take place on pavement, so strollers, wheelchairs and wagons are allowed.
Genge said some runners use the event to gain qualifying times for other, larger races, but many are simply there to support the centre’s operations.
“The majority (of the runners) are families and work groups who come out and support us,” he said. “
The kids’ run may be a shorter event, but Genge said it is his favourite part of the day.
“It is absolutely heart wrenching, tearful – it is magic. It has everything you can possibly imagine,” he said of the emotions people go through watching children of various levels of ability all tackling the 200 metres with great enthusiasm.
“The last little guy who came across the finish line had braces on his legs and he was in a special chair. Everyone was lined up to greet him,” Genge said of the 2025 rendition of the kids run.
Genge looks for more magic come June 14. Visit ctcf-ck.com/runforthekids/ to take part or learn more.
Along with the two events, there will be family-friendly activities, including crafts, face painting and barbecued hot dogs, as well as various interactive stations from local partners, according to CTCF officials.
Registrants gain free entrance into the park on race day, a race bib and finisher medal, and access to the post-run party.
Enbridge returns as the events primary sponsor this year.
