Sunday marked a record-breaking year for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5K race.
Not only was participation up with close to 7,000 runners hitting the pavement, but an unprecedented 71 charities are benefitting from the funds raised – with 100 per cent of those profits going straight to the organizations.
About $725,000 has been raised so far with it going towards groups like Camp Kerry, which helps families who have lost loved ones, or United Gospel Mission programs for women and children and recovering addicts.
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“When you lose somebody, whether it’s the breadwinner or not, you’re going to be suffering some major financial losses, you might not be able to work and you’ve got to take care of the kids and it’s a very difficult for people,” said Camp Kerry spokeswoman, Nickole Macauley, who added that the program very much relies on funds from the race.
Recovering addict, Brendan McLellan has run in the race many times for the UGM 131.
“When I was out there doing the drinking and drugging not many people wanted me around, that’s for sure,” he said. “I ran at the beginning because I needed to and now I run because I really enjoy it and to be able to pass it on to new runners it’s pretty exciting.”
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5K took off at the University of British Columbia Thunderbird Stadium with runners racing to the finish line in Stanley Park. Donations are being accepted until July 8.
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