While the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon helps local charities raise much-needed funds, it also helps spark a passion for fitness.

Through Lifetime NetworksB次元官网网址� ongoing participation B次元官网网址� some years fundraising teams have had 50-plus runners and walkers B次元官网网址� the non-profit has raised more than $100,000. But itB次元官网网址檚 offered the organization much more, says Lifetime executive director Carlene Thompson.

B次元官网网址淭he fundraising is great but itB次元官网网址檚 (also) really allowed for a very inclusive event,B次元官网网址� she says, noting that for many Lifetime NetworksB次元官网网址� team members, itB次元官网网址檚 the first such event theyB次元官网网址檝e participated in.

To have it open to people of diverse abilities makes it more special, she adds.

Supporting about 400 families, Lifetime creates connections and friendships for individuals with disabilities.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had staff who have run their first marathon and they started running with us,B次元官网网址� Thompson says, recalling a special moment during her own first half-marathon.

B次元官网网址淚 happened to pass a group of about 10 of our 8K walkers and they stopped and cheered me on.B次元官网网址�

The marathon, set for Sunday, Oct. 8, offers two levels of charity contributions, the official charities and the CHEK Charity Pledge Program.

When registering, event participants can choose to donate to official charities KidSport Greater Victoria, GoodLife Kids Foundation and the Pacific Autism Family Centre. Tax receipts are issued after the race.

The second tier of fundraising is the Charity Pledge Program, which has raised $1.7 million for local charities since its launch 13 years ago, says media liaison Louise Hodgson-Jones.

B次元官网网址淲e started it to spread the word about how important it is to promote the charities. Everyone who has come on board is very, very enthusiastic,B次元官网网址� she says.

Applications are taken in the fall for charities that want to participate in the next event and many often co-ordinate teams to run and raise funds. Marathon organizers help promote participating organizations and share tips to help them succeed, but the actual fundraising is up to them.

For participants, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 a means for them to help some of the charities without raising it all on their own and they feel as though theyB次元官网网址檙e a part of a team as well,B次元官网网址� Hodgson-Jones says.

Some of those teams will don colourful costumes to get in the spirit, especially for shorter events like the 8K and relay events. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always part of the fun component.B次元官网网址�

Plus, B次元官网网址渢hrough the charities weB次元官网网址檝e encouraged a lot of people to be more active, which is the main thing,B次元官网网址� Hodgson-Jones says.

Learn more about the charity program, donate or join a team at runvictoriamarathon.com/fundraising.

editor@vicnews.com