Newmarket ON – Perhaps at the most crucial time in its 19-year history, the annual Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake has finished in winning form. For the first time ever, the virtual race took place over a 4-week period, from April 12 through May 9. In a true do it your own way style, participants had the flexibility to maximize fun and customize personal health and wellness goals. And, that’s exactly what over 590 people and 56 teams did. They walked, ran, biked, and together raised $311,631 in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre’s most urgent needs.
“At a time when each of us is being challenged in ways we never would have expected, it is heartwarming to see our communities rally behind our participants, and ultimately Southlake,” says Jennifer Klotz-Ritter, President and CEO at Southlake Foundation. “As a key annual fundraiser for Southlake, this event raises vital funds for new and replacement equipment and technology that is critical to delivering patient care. These needs have grown even greater throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Everything about this year’s run was unique. Throughout the challenge, participants enjoyed fitness classes, cooking classes, meditation, mindfulness and motivational sessions, all geared to helping them reach their health and fitness goals. With everyone staying apart in order to stay safe, and access to public fitness facilities closed throughout, the timing of this unique event was perfect.
“We have heard so many inspiring stories from participants and teams on why they worked so hard to reach their fitness and fundraising goals. We were so grateful they were by our side, helping Southlake deliver leading edge care close to home,” adds Jennifer. “Perhaps the most awe-inspiring were the 132 Southlake staff members, making up 14 hospital department teams who actively participated and fundraised. Every single person at Southlake is working tirelessly under unprecedented circumstances. That they still rallied to support their hospital demonstrates their selfless, dedicated nature.”
While so much was different, the competitive camaraderie between teams was alive and well! Challenge winners that earned bragging rights were:
- Hospital Department Challenge WINNER: Trauma Chasers
- Community Friends & Family Challenge WINNER: Baby, I Was Born to Run…
- Corporate & Business Challenge WINNER: Team Magna
- School Challenge Cup WINNER: The Country Day School
- Mayor’s Challenge WINNER: Team Aurora
As always, but perhaps this year more than ever, our caring sponsors rose to the challenge. Thank you to Nature’s Emporium, Magna International, Pfaff Automotive Partners, Sports Medicine Centre of Excellence, and Newmarkettoday.ca. Each one of these community business leaders understands that while COVID-19 has changed the way we do just about everything in our daily lives, it has not changed our gratitude for Southlake’s leading edge healthcare close to home.
“This 4-week event, focusing on health and fitness goals, staying safe and supporting community needs was perfectly in sync with our values at Nature’s Emporium,” said Joe D’Addario, President and Co-Founder, Nature’s Emporium. “We have proudly participated as the Title Sponsor of the Run for Southlake for 9 years, and while this was a very different experience, the way our communities rallied to support Southlake either by joining the fun or sponsoring Run participants, was every bit as inspiring as if we had been able to have a huge public event. On behalf of the Nature’s Emporium family, thank you.”
Everyone on the Run Committee, including Brian North, volunteer Chair, Dr. John Randle, Southlake Ambassador and Jennifer Klotz-Ritter, President & CEO of the Foundation are hoping next year, a live run can once again hit the streets. Stay safe and consider joining the fight by getting a COVID-19 vaccination.
Keep an eye out at www.runforsouthlake.ca for details of the 2022 Run.
