The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is calling this year’s Walk, Run & Roll 100 km Challenge a “smashing success.” The event, which ran from July 18 to July 31, raised money to support the charitable mission of the YMCA in building healthier communities with participants choosing to walk, run, wheelchair, bike, or swim to complete one of five challenges over two weeks.
“The community has shown such a tremendous response to our challenge. We are pleased that we could offer an event that demonstrated our values as an organization that resonated with so many,” said Rob Adams, CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “For a first time event, and particularly during such a challenging time, so many have shown their support for the mission of the Y.”
The 100 km distance, symbolic of the distance between Brockville and Kingston YMCA facilities, was the event’s main event with four distances set at 25, 50 and 100 km along with a 200 km Super Challenge representing a “round-way trip” between both YMCA facilities. The Challenge was made especially accessible to all ages and abilities by allowing groups to participate in “relays” – adding distances travelled by all group members toward their goal.
According to Adams, the initial goal for the Challenge was to raise $20,000, but once that number was passed, they increased the goal to $30,000 and subsequently raised a total of $31,611.93.
In addition to medals being awarded to the top two fundraisers in three categories, a number of prizes were awarded to the top fundraisers in each category.
As reported by the organization, Top Individual Youth Prize of a a helicopter tour for two with 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours in Gananoque was awarded to Keira for raising $230. Top Individual Adult Prize of a round of golf for two with cart donated by Brockville Country Club and dinner at Moose McGuire’s Pub and Grill in Brockville was awarded to Abi Tripp, who raised $2,020. Top Team Prize of a backyard BBQ for up to 10 from Otter Creek was awarded to Team Emily and Anick for raising $1,000.
The YMCA of Eastern Ontario event was sponsored by St. Lawrence Pools, Subaru of Kingston and McDonald’s Restaurants.
