Hundreds of runners, joggers, and walkers raised more than $40,000 for the hospital in Maple Ridge at the 20th annual Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation Fund Run.
There were 362 people registered for the event that took place on Sunday, June 4, at Fairview Elementary in Maple Ridge: 291 people for the five kilometre route; 51 for the 10 kilometre route; and 20 for the children’s run.
So far the group has raised $40,107 for much needed equipment and programs at the hospital, bringing the total amount from two decades of the Fund Run to $604,743 raised.
The first ever Fund Run was held in 2004 and was organized by two Ridge Meadows Hospital staffers, Anne and Carol, who were avid runners and who started an informal running group at work, explained Deanna Lackey, with the hospital foundation.
Anne approached Marv Jones Honda for sponsorship and then the city to get approval for the route. Medals and prizes were and are to this day provided by Ramaks Trophies.
“We sadly lost Anne Litlewood last year, but a team called Annie’s Army was created last year in her memory and they were back running for her again this year,” noted Lackey.
READ ALSO: Hundreds expected for Fund Run in support of Maple Ridge hospital
This year there were hospital department teams from: Maternity & Pediatrics, Baillie House, Urgent & Primary Care as well as the Dieticians.
The Dieticians all ran with helium filled balloons representing healthy fruits and vegetables, said Lackey.
“There were many new faces to the event this year which was exciting but also some supporters who have been there for most of them. Our board member Art Van Pelt has participated in 19 Fund Run events including supporting the two years where we had to do virtual events because of COVID,” Lackey added.
Lackey also thanked the volunteers, some new and some returning, because, she said, the event relies heavily upon them and wouldn’t be put on if it wasn’t for them.
Overall the fastest 5km participant was Markus Toolsie-Worsnup who completed the course in 17:18. The fastest 10km participant was Jason Faulkner who completed the course in 39:08.
Race category Winners:
Age 1-15 Male 10km: Malachi Searle
Age 16-19 Male 10km: Tyler Blad
Age 20-29 Male 10km: Tomy Reyes
Age 20-29 Female 10km: Emily Duchak
Age 30-39 Male 10km: Karl Neufeld-Peters
Age 30-39 Female 10km: Katelyn Chilibeck
Age 40-49 Male 10km: Jason Faulkner
Age 40-49 Female 10km: Stacy MacDonald
Age 50-59 Male 10km: Fidel Castro
Age 50-59 Female 10km: Lynn Quesnel
Age 60-69 Male 10km: Dave Schachter
Age 60-69 Female 10km: Susan Akenhead
Age 70+ Male 10km: Keith Akenhead
Age 70+ Female 10km: Carol O’Brien
Age 1-15 Male 5km: Cameron Currie
Age 1-15 Female 5km: Paige Rutherford
Age 16-19 Male 5km: Markus Toolsie-Warsnup
Age 16-19 Female 5km: Soleil Migneault
Age 20-29 Male 5km: Jeff Thiessen
Age 20-29 Female 5km: Amelia Helmus
Age 30-39 Male 5km: Wyatt Ariss
Age 30-39 Female 5km: Kelly Brunt
Age 40-49 Male 5km: Steve Kocurek
Age 40-49 Female 5km: April Richardson
Age 50-59 Male 5km: David Lagerwerf
Age 50-59 Female 5km: Stacy Stephenson
Age 60-69 Male 5km: Ron Antalek
Age 60-69 Female 5km: Loretta Griffin-Jarvis
Age 70+ Male 5km: Andre Kok
Age 70+ Female 5km: Femmie Gibson
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