Stephen Vance, Staff
Sunny skies greeted the 511 participants in the annual Meaford Harbour 5 Km Run/Walk/Stroll held on Saturday, July 8.
The number of participants this year was not far off the record 531 that participated in the 20th anniversary of the event in 2016, which raised $65,000 for the Meaford Hospital Foundation. Though final numbers are still being tallied, organizers say that they are confident they will surpass their goal of raising $50,000 this year.
Participants enjoyed the slightly revised route this year due to the normal traffic detour route being unavailable because of a rehabilitation project on the Bake Shop bridge.
The Foundation said that the top individual pledge earner this year was Donna Pickard, and the top team pledges were collected by the Harding Family team. Detailed information about pledges will be released in the coming week.
The Early Bird draw prize winner of a $200 gift certificate to Runner’s Den, sponsored by Black Angus Meats, was Julia McDonald of Thornbury.
Among the participants this year were a cross section of the community with children running alongside seniors, as well as a pair of Meaford firefighters who completed the five kilometre route in their firefighting gear.
Long-time supporter of the Meaford Hospital Foundation Brian 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 21 years of fundraising, the Meaford Harbour 5K Run/Walk has donated more than $400,000 to the Meaford Hospital Foundation.
While the annual event is a fundraiser for the hospital foundation, there’s also a competitive aspect. Here are the top finishers in the five kilometre race:
Top Female Runner – Hannah Woodhouse
Top Male Runner – Jason Weppler
Top Female Walker – Diane Haines
Top Male Walker – Allan Wilcox
Organizers were thankful for the continued support of the event.
“The support continues to be tremendous with many dedicated volunteers, police, St. John’s Ambulance, EMS, and Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders (Meaford Chapter) helping out every year,” said organizers. “And, of course, we couldn’t do it without our generous business sponsors, pledge earners, and participants who continually strive to increase their support of the hospital through this fundraising event.”
