Charity run raises over $2 million
Proceeds support programs for kids with cancer and families
A sea of neon-green shirts took over Yonge St. just south of Lawrence Ave. Sunday morning as more than 20,000 people lined up to run the Sporting Life 10K for charity.
On the back, the runners’ shirts read, “Toronto runs for Ooch.”
The slogan refers to Camp Oochigeas, the charity that will receive net proceeds from the 10-kilometre run. Camp Ooch provides all-year programming for children with cancer and their families as a way to relieve them from the difficulties of dealing with the illness. Camp Ooch includes a summer camp for children with cancer in Muskoka, day camps downtown, a bereavement camp for children who have lost siblings to cancer, and in-hospital programming.
“It’s for a great cause,” said Ray Li, who has run the annual race three times. “And the course is easy too, it’s just a great day that I always look forward to.”
Runners and walkers started in waves on the mostly downhill course on Yonge St. before turning west on Richmond St. W., eventually finishing at Fort York.
At the finish line, participants drank coconut water and ate bananas. Many were met by friends and family who cheered them on.
“Nobody in my family has cancer, but I know how hard it must be and I just want to show my support,” said Kathy McDonald, who ran for the first time with her two sons.
“It feels good to know we’re helping kids enjoy their childhood,” she said.
Liberal leader and Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne also participated in the run Sunday morning amid the ongoing Ontario election campaign.
“I run for many reasons, but my favourite kind of run is when it is for a good cause,” she said in a tweet.
Mayor John Tory congratulated runners at the finish line.
“We provide Torontonians an opportunity to take part, to celebrate your loved ones and friends and family on Mother’s Day, and to make a difference in the life of a child with cancer,” Alex Robertson, CEO of Camp Ooch, told the Star this week. Camp Ooch works with about 1,500 kids every year. The 35year-old charity started with just the summer camp, but now people from the organization meet children at the hospital from the beginning of their treatment and give them a chance to interact with other kids and enjoy themselves.
“What started off being a community run has now become a day in the calendar for a lot of people to raise a lot of money to give children with cancer the opportunity to go to camp,” said Jean Paul Corbeil, the director of marketing and advertising at Sporting Life.
Corbeil says the race brings in more than $2 million for charity each year, with around 20,000 runners and walkers participating.