In the final minutes leading up to the start of this yearB次元官网网址檚 Goddess Run, the hundreds of 5 and 10 km runners danced to the music of Justin Timberlake.
Such was the celebratory mood for the 6th annual event which was run under sunny skies and perfect temperatures on the West Shore this morning.
, Vancouver Island and across Canada, many sporting tutus, turned out in droves for the event thatB次元官网网址檚 become a staple of the West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 summer events calendar.
While the runners spanned multiple generations and skill levels, all participants had one thing in common: they were here to have a good time.
And dance.
Many of the 5 and 10K runners have completed their trips around . Story and video to come.
B次元官网网址� Joel Tansey (@joelgazette)
Sisters Leanna Tyler and Maureen Robertson have participated in all six runs and took part in the five kilometre race this year.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fun event. ItB次元官网网址檚 all empowering,B次元官网网址� said Tyler. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very positiveB次元官网网址verybodyB次元官网网址檚 encouraging.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 comraderie and giving back. I love the idea of the fundraising,B次元官网网址� added Robertson.
In past years, the pair have been joined by two more of their sisters to make this a true family affair, something that organizer Cathy Noel has enjoyed seeing since she launched the race in 2012.
B次元官网网址淚n the past IB次元官网网址檝e had three generations of a family participatingB次元官网网址hen you have something like that and create that opportunity for people to get involved, thatB次元官网网址檚 very exciting,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what gives me goosebumps and thatB次元官网网址檚 why we do it year after year.B次元官网网址�
This year funds were raised for the B.C. Cancer Foundation as it strives to raise $5 million for a PET/CT scanner for Victoria. Currently only two publicly funded scanners exist in B.C., both of them in Vancouver, and the equipment is considered vital for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
in for the ! Congratulations to all runners!
B次元官网网址� Muscle MLK Canada (@MuscleMLKCAN)
B次元官网网址淲e are at $3.3 million so far which is great. People on Vancouver Island have really stepped up and are helping us get to our goal really quickly,B次元官网网址� said Debbie Greenway, the foundationB次元官网网址檚 development officer for special events.
Langford Mayor Stew Young counted the racers down for the 8:30 a.m. start. The longtime mayor says there have been few complaints from the public regarding traffic disruptions and that the run has become one of the cityB次元官网网址檚 major annual events.
B次元官网网址淲e were pretty excited when they started this event here in Langford and itB次元官网网址檚 obviously for a great cause,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of enthusiasm with everybody coming here from all over and we like big crowds in Langford.B次元官网网址�
Prior to the race Noel hinted that there may be a push to get Young to don a tutu next year.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l do what I have to do for charity,B次元官网网址� he laughed. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l see. If you see me in a tutu here I hope theyB次元官网网址檝e raised a lot of money for me to do that.B次元官网网址�
The success of the Victoria run has spawned the creation of a second event in Port Coquitlam next week. Noel also hinted that Goddess runs are being planned for the B.C. interior and Alberta for 2018.
B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檝e got something that works itB次元官网网址檚 being able to say, B次元官网网址榦kay, how do we do it somewhere elseB次元官网网址�.B次元官网网址�
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
Twitter: @joelgazette
