Staff
The pledges have all been counted, and Meaford Harbour 5K Run/Walk/Stroll Race Director, Brian Renken has announced a record total for the annual fundraising event in support of the Meaford Hospital Foundation.
The event held on Saturday, July 9, had 531 participants registered and raised $65,000 for the Meaford Hospital Foundation and The Hospital Campaign.
This year’s event marked the 20th anniversary of the annual run/walk/stroll.
Renken staged the first Meaford Harbour 5K in 1997 after the Big Apple Road Race decided to end their 25 year run, and has been race director every year since. He and his wife Barb put the first event together in about three weeks time, and it has become a major fundraiser for the Meaford Hospital Foundation, as well as a respected race in the local running community.
Many participants rave about how well organized the event is for runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators. In 20 years of fundraising, the Meaford Harbour 5K Run/Walk has donated over $385,000 to the Meaford Hospital Foundation.
Of note, the Harding Family Team registered 108 family and friends who walked or ran in memory of Bob and Wilda Harding with the goal to raise over $10,000. The Harding Family Team collected $9,075 in pledges and the Sassy Scarecrows added their pledge total of $1,941 in support of the Harding Family to surpass the goal with a total of $11,016. The DZG’s, a zoomba group of friends from Lora Bay, registered 16 participants and raised $2,570.
“The race committee extends their sincere thanks to all the sponsors, participants and volunteers who made the 20th Annual Meaford Harbour 5K such a resounding success,” said organizers.
Photo: Brian Renken, Race Director, uses the municipal bucket truck to get an overhead shot of the more than 100 family and friends on the Harding Family Team.
