Alliston ‘Runs for the Cure’ last Sunday

October 9, 2015 · 0 Comments

The Alliston leg of CIBC’s ‘Run for the Cure’, in support of breast cancer research, took place from Eat Side Mario’s last Sunday morning.
The event took participants on a 1km or 5km adventure through the streets of Alliston, dressed in everything – from pink team shirts, to brightly coloured tutus.
“We are thrilled to report that we had more than 200 participants and over 30 volunteers, at the Alliston location on Run day,” said Michelle Hutt, Run Director – Fundraising, CIBC Run for the Cure Alliston. “We raised an estimated $27,000 – but the funds will continue to come in until the end of October. Already though, we have exceeded our anticipated event goal.”
Although Alliston has been recognized as a satellite location for the Run for the past four years, this was the first year the event was recognized as an official run site.
“This designation brings us under the wings of the CBCF which allows us to receive support for funding and other initiatives provided by the national sponsors such as awards, banners, event refreshments, team names being printed on shirts – if they meet the qualifications – and more,” said Kara Percy, Run Director, Logistics, CIBC Run for the Cure Alliston.
Michelle and Kara were selected as Run Directors through an application process that took place in the spring of 2015.
“Michelle an I both applied. There were two different jobs, logistics and fundraising. Michelle took on the Run Directors for Fundraising and I took on the Run Director for Logistics. It was a perfect match right from the start. Knowing that Erin Christiano (owner of East side Mario’s, Alliston) was the face of the event for the first four years Michelle and I still really wanted to have her on the team. She offers so much insight and expertise in the way the event happens in Alliston. We can’t imagine ever organizing this event without her,” said Kara.
East Side Mario’s was a national sponsor up until 2014. This year the Alliston location still wanted to take part in the event.
“They host many event during breast cancer awareness month (October) such as the, ‘Donate $5 to CBCF and we take $5 off your bill’, promo,” explained Kara. “The employees and owners, Erin and Tony, support us so much. Erin was on the committee and acted as the very important emcee this year. We hope that she will continue in this role for years to come! Tony Christiano was great too, donating his spare time to help us set up and tear down the site. It’s support like this that allows us to have much success.”
This year the ‘unofficial’ Local Hero was Manon Beaudoin.
“Just celebrating her 5th anniversary of being cancer free, she gives of herself at Mathews House Hospice in many ways. Most notably, she works with the Circle of Friends to support newly diagnosed patients sharing in the lessons learned from her personal journey. She takes care to make sure their transition in fighting is as comfortable possible and to ensure that they maintain the human approach to every aspect of their path,” said Michelle.
There was even a bride and her bridal party that took part in this year’s Run.
“The Bride, Corneliade Peuter, winner of the Determination Challenge for the most individual funds raised ($2000), has a wedding planned for this Thursdsay, October 8th,” explained Michelle. “During the middle of this year, Corneliade was diagnosed with breast cancer and decided to undergo her surgery – so recently that she almost didn’t make the Run Day – and continue with her wedding plans. Cathie Latanville started a team in her honour; Boutonnière’s and Bouquets. This team, including her husband to be, raised nearly $4000 and ran for her this year.”
In addition of pledges and registration fees, funds were raised in many ways at this year’s event, making it such a tremendous success.
“Two notable events were the grand opening of The Modern Marketplace, where they collected pledges to keep a spin bike going for the entire day, and the concert held by team ‘Breast Friends’. Other funds were gathered locally as the result of Paint Canada Pink Week in which the committee went out to five local businesses and had an information booth at a different place every day during a 7-day period. The objective of this initiative was to create awareness and gather registrations for the Run however, the community began to make donations. An unanticipated $1000 was generously donated by those who visited the booth over the 7-day period,” said Michelle.
Prize winners for the day were:
Top fundraisers
• 1st place: Cornelia dePeuter
• 2nd place: Jessica McKenzie
• 3rd place: Charlene McNamara
Top Team Categories
• Corporate Spirit: CIBC
• Friends and Family: Boutonniere’s and Bouquets
• School Team Award: Tottenham YMCA
• Women’s Team Challenge Award: Tottenham YMCA
The next CIBC Run for the Cure event date has been set for October 2, 2016.

By Wendy Gabrek

Photos by Wendy Gabrek
A shot of the crowd from above the start/finish line at Sunday’s ‘Run for the Cure’ event in Alliston.

Emily Hutt, age 11, and cousin Iler Irvine, age 7, sign the ‘Wall of Hope’.

Katherine Ross (front) was the first to cross the finish line in the non–competitive Run for the Cure, after walking “just a short distance”, in the event that raised funds for breast cancer research. She is followed by Ann Robbins. Both ladies were greeted with cheers and applause and each received a pink carnation. The first to finish the 1km and 5km were not announced by organizers, as timing was not a factor in the event.

Run Director for Logistics, Kara Percy (left), and Run Director for Fundraising, Michelle Hutt, with some of the many pumpkins – painted pink, the colour of hope – in the East Side Mario’s parking lot in Alliston Sunday.