By Jill Potter-Hellmann
On Saturday, April 20th, Elk/Beaver Lake took on a festival like atmosphere, as 280 runners and walkers gathered to participate in either the 5 or 10 km, Run For Women.
The Run For Women event, established in 2013, was the first national fundraiser to focus exclusively on women’s mental health. Across Canada, communities have held the event, usually in spring and early summer. This year, 18 cities across Canada are hosting the event to bring communities together in support of local women’s mental health programs. Victoria held the event for the first time, last year. This year, monies raised by the Victoria event, will support two CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association, Victoria) programs: women’s mental wellness and postpartum mental health programs for new parents.
I have been fortunate to participate in this fundraiser since 2013 in Ontario, but the past two years have been the most memorable as I’ve been able to participate with my daughter.
Starting off the activities, was the 1 km Little Steps race with a great number of kids participating.
Taking me out of my comfort with road running, and onto a trail (I know, I know, it’s not a really hard trail) the 10 km is a loop around the lake on a trail that is quite flat with not too many rocks and roots, although alertness was quite necessary in parts!! Shady and cool for the first 5 km, we found lots of sunshine and heat coming back to the finish on the “highway” side of the lake.
The 5km was an out and back along the trail. The finish line did take some concentration as it was a little lumpy and bumpy.
A great event with two STARR members participating: Leslie Ann Bent participated in the 5 km
distance (46:37; 7th in her division), and Jill Potter-Hellmann completed the 10 km (1:04:39; 2 in her division).