The Fund Run was an instant hit when it began 10 years ago as a hospital fundraiser, and that first run garnered approximately $4,000.
The 10th annual Fund Run was held on Sunday at Fairview elementary with 336 runners taking part, and it raised more than $33,000.
“It was awesome. We had a record number of runners, we did over $33,000, and we really had a party,” said Laura Butler, the development officer for the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation.
There were 101 runners in the 10-km event.
First place in the men’s competition was won by Patrick Jones, while the fastest woman was Saraiya Abdulla.
Another 235 ran the 5-km, and in first place was Ron Antalek, the chairman of the hospital foundation, while the fastest female was Deborah States.
The Van Pelt family, which has four generations of Fund Run participants, took home two picnic baskets loaded with fresh pasta and sauces for raising more than $5,000 in pledges.
There were more than 20 teams from the hospital and the community, and 30 hospital departments were represented as either participants or volunteers.
The kids run saw about 35 participants under the age of 10 scoot a loop around Fairview elementary and cross the finish line to great cheering and applause. They each received a participant ribbon, goodie bags, and coloured and decorated their running bibs.
Over its 10 years, the Fund Run has raised more than $225,000 for equipment for the hospital.
With music, a sunny day, and food and music donated by local businesses, it was a festive atmosphere for the anniversary celebration.
“It was really great to acknowledge everyone who has done such a good job supporting the hospital foundation for 10 years,” said Butler.
This year the foundation has committed to fund more than $550,000 to purchase essential equipment for Ridge Meadows Hospital, to fund programs in the community that encourage healthy living, and provide research and education opportunities for medical staff.
• See complete results at www.sportstats.ca.