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Run for RMHCNA fast approaching

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Alberta (RMHCNA) is gearing up for the third annual community run. The 2017 Run for RMHCNA will take place on May 6 in Cold Lake.
The annual Run for RMHCNA has been a hit since starting up three years ago. Registration is already underway for this year.
The annual Run for RMHCNA has been a hit since starting up three years ago. Registration is already underway for this year.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Alberta (RMHCNA) is gearing up for the third annual community run.

The 2017 Run for RMHCNA will take place on May 6 in Cold Lake. It aims to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton, which gets used by many families from the Lakeland.

There will be three walks and runs for participants to choose from. The distances range from a half marathon, which is 13.1 kilometres, a 10 kilometre walk/run, and the shortest is five kilometres.

The early bird deadline is closing on Feb. 10 for those who want to get a head start.

“We really wanted to open up our registration for people who are in that New Year's resolution mode, and who want to live to a healthier life, to commit to something and have enough time to train. Especially if they are looking at those longer distances,” explained Oreen Skiba, stakeholder relations manager for the Lakeland region RMCHNA.

Skiba noted there is an added incentive to sign up early.

“Another benefit is that there is a little bit less of a price if people register before Feb. 10.”

The prices for early bird registration are $65 for the half-marathon, $30 for the 10 km walk and run, and $20 for the five kilometre walk and run. After the Feb. 10 deadline the prices rise to $75, $35, and $25 respectively.

They are also allowing children 12 and under to participate for free, but, “We do ask that any children that come are accompanied by a parent who is doing the same distance,” added Skiba.

The event will include a number of activities at the finish line, such as a bouncy castle, food, and games.

Fundraising for the Run for RMHCNA is not mandatory, but is always appreciated.

“Participants are asked to do some peer fundraising and it's quite easy if you sign up online to get that out through your social media,” said Skiba.

Some of the prizes available for the highest fundraisers include a $1,500 travel voucher, an autographed Edmonton Oilers Milan Lucic frame pack, and an autographed Edmonton Oilers Cam Talbot frame pack.

There are no prizes for the winners of the run, because the RMHCNA wants to keep the focus of the event on fun and fundraising.

“We don't have any prizes because we don't want this to be a competitive run. We want people to come out and feel comfortable going their own pace and being as safe as possible so there are no prizes. We just wanted to focus on raising as much as we could for the charity,” explained Skiba.

Participants who sign up before April 7 will receive an official race kit. In that kit you get a certificate, a T-shirt, and some special McDonald's themed items.

“If you've seen any pictures for the run we always have these really funky red and white striped socks,” said Skiba about the items that will be included in the kit.

Those who are interested in signing up for this year's Run for RMHCNA can contact Skiba at 780-545-1976 or by email at [email protected]. For more information about the event visit rmhcna.org.

“We're really trying to make this a community and a family event.”

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