Canada Day Run/Walk goes “above expectations”

By Ron Giofu

The town’s Canada Run was held Saturday morning with it being a good year for the organizers.

There were approximately 825 runners and walkers between the kids’ 1K dash and main 5K run/walk. It was organized this year by Dan and Molly Allaire in conjunction with WRACE (Walkers and Runners Around Essex County).

The kids’ dash alone had approximately 220 participants.

Molly said the event went “above expectations.”

“We were just so amazed at the spirit of Amherstburg,” said Molly.

Runners and walkers came from “all over the world,” she added, adding they had participants from Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Chatham-Kent, Kingston, Florida, around southwestern Ontario and even a few runners from Singapore.

“Getting people from Singapore is pretty impressive,” said Dan.

Organizing this year’s race took place within a two-month timespan, Molly added.

“We started on May 1,” she stated. “I filed my event license. By May 3, everything was set up online.”

Molly gave credit to Chris Uszynski from Running Flat for his and his company’s efforts to run and manage the run/ walk the last several years.

“This race would not be anything without Chris Uszynski building it up to what it is now,” she said.

Emphasizing that this year’s Canada Day Run/Walk went better than they anticipated, Molly said they give a lot of credit and thanks to their volunteers and sponsors. She added town staff also helped out where necessary.

There was a charitable twist to this year’s Canada Day Run/Walk. It was also a fundraiser for three non-profit organizations splitting the roughly $18,438.59 that was raised. Benefitting from the event this year will be the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) and the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC).

“A big thank you to Movati for stepping up and being more than supportive from Day 1. Thanks to Parrothead Poppers and Waterfront Ice Cream for donating the ‘sweet treat’ to the kids. Thanks to Seasons ‘Senioristy team’ for stuffing all the race bags. No Frills and Sobeys donated all the water and food for the event. Hamilton Insurance was great for donating to the event and getting our event insurance in a fast timely manner. Flow Cafe and bike shop even volunteered to lead the runners as our ‘bike rabbit’,” said Molly, who is also a town councillor. “This race would be nowhere without WRACE organization who helped set up all the bibs and race pick up day. If you want to organize a race event this crew does an amazing job.”

Happy Retirement to local teacher!

Amico also assisted, she added, as they donated the barricades. They dropped them off and picked them up, she said.

Aim is to have Neighbourhood Watch cut down on local break-ins

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“There’s no guarantee that implementing this program will lead to less break-ins, theft and criminal activity but it’s something I think we should look at,” said Crain. “Members of the community seem eager to begin volunteering.”

Councillor Diane Pouget said she supported Crain’s motion “greatly,” also thanking Staff Sgt. Brian Caffarena for addressing reports of break-ins in Amherstburg.

“We are really getting a lot of break-ins throughout our town. Most of them are petty,” she said. “I think it would help, also, if police did a media release alerting the people about how many break-ins are occurring in our town.”