Canada: Run for Vaughan a success

This is the 7th year the Ahmadiyya community has run the race and it is clearly popular with serious runners, not so serious runners and community members who want to make a difference.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: York Region | Blog
By C Grech | May 30, 2011

As I pulled up to the Baita ul Islam Mosque on Sunday morning I was excited.

For the first time in the past few years I was able to participate in the Run for Vaughan 10k race, this past weekend.

I feel strongly about participating in local events because at the end of the day the money raised from our registration and pledges helps our own community.

I've raced in the U.S., and all over Ontario but never before in the community where I live.


That was already a bonus, not having to get up at the crack of dawn to drive somewhere far.

When I arrived at the run I couldn't tell if it was a political rally or a fundraising run. Most of Vaughan's politicians were on hand including MP Julian Fantino, MPP Greg Sorbara and almost every member of Vaughan council.

Some councillors such as Regional Councillor Deb Schulte, East Woodbridge Councilor Rosanna DeFrancesca, Maple/Kleinburg Councillor Marilyn Iafrate and Thornhill Councillor Alan Shefman donned running shoes and participated in the event.

Volunteers who manned the parking lot and the route with water were outstanding and more importantly members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community were present everywhere on the course, running volunteering and being a part of the day.

This is the 7th year the Ahmadiyya community has run the race and it is clearly popular with serious runners, not so serious runners and community members who want to make a difference.

The route was for the most part flat with one exception along Kirby Road which had its fair share of hills, a redesign of the route I hear came from Regional Councillor Michael Di Biase who is  chairperson of the event.

I already opined to him what I thought of that little section of the run.

Organizers have yet to get the official numbers but are guessing the money raised is somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000.

All in all it was a feel good day and a run I hope to participate in every year.

It was also a test run for our summer goal of having only fun runs for the summer. I think next time I will abandon my watch completely.

Until next time happy running.


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