A special fundraising effort to combat ALS, inspired by the health challenges facing Ottawa-Vanier MP Mauril Bélanger, will highlight the 2016 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend from May 26 to 30.
This year’s event has also brought together new sponsors and charities that hope to make a difference in Ottawa and the surrounding community by reaching a $1-million target – up 25 per cent from last year – in fundraising.
After raising $800,000 in the inaugural Scotiabank Charity Challenge in 2015, the 2016 target has been set at $1 million as organizers prepare to host as many as 50,000 participants across six events for runners of all abilities, including some of the world’s top marathoners.
This year, more than 50 local and national charities have partnered with race organizers.
“The Scotiabank charity program continues to grow and be a large part of what we’re trying to do and I anticipate that it’s now starting to get understood by our region of Ontario and Quebec and hopefully we’ll get to something similar to what the Toronto Marathon sees,” says John Halvorsen, Run Ottawa’s president and the director of the weekend event.
Some MPs and city councillors have organized a special fundraising effort to honour Bélanger.
Bélanger’s battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease – a debilitating neuro-muscular condition that has robbed the longtime local MP of his voice – gained national attention recently when he used a computerized voice while serving as honourary Speaker of the House of Commons for a day.
Gatineau MP Greg Fergus challenged his colleagues to participate in one of the six races in order to raise funds for the ALS Society of Canada as a tribute to Bélanger.
“It’s a great initiative,” says Halvorsen. “I think the support of MP Bélanger is fantastic. It’s obviously had a tragic impact on his life.”
Others can join the MPs’ campaign virtually, by signing up online and pledging to raise funds for ALS programs.
For the ALS Society of Canada, the exposure that Fergus’ campaign has brought goes a long way towards making a real difference.
“It means everything to have that kind of awareness and recognition of the need that’s there,” says Tammy Moore, the society’s CEO, adding that the funds will go towards education material, in-home support, access to resources and medical equipment and research.
Race Weekend also stimulates local businesses. Last year, it helped generate more than $34 million in economic activity, $11 million of which was directly spent around Centretown on accommodations, meals and other expenses, according to a Run Ottawa study.
There are changes coming to the weekend’s marathons, too. Sports drink company Nuun has been brought on as a sponsor and will provide runners with a new electrolyte mix on the course.
“It’s exciting and it’s a change most runners will be aware of,” Halvorsen says of the new sports drink sponsor. “For us it’s very important that all of the half marathoners and marathoners have it.”
The product comes in a zero carb version that athletes can add carbs and calories to, which is what organizers plan on doing for participants in the longer races.
Halvorsen is happy Nuun will allow long-distance runners to maintain high electrolyte levels while also reducing their sugar intake.
For Nuun CEO Kevin Rutherford, an Ottawa native, the weekend represents a rare chance to come home and help make the races safer and more competitive.
“We’ll help educate on hydration and nutrition to make sure people have the best day they can have,” says Rutherford, who will also run in the half marathon himself. “Nuun allows you to choose your carbs and calories while providing really high electrolytes, which prevents muscle cramps and muscle fatigue.”
All six of the weekend’s races start in Centretown and three of the events, including the Ottawa 2K and the Scotiabank Ottawa Kids Marathon, are run entirely in Centretown.
Ahead of the event, Halvorsen and Ottawa Run organizers are working to prepare fencing, signage, shirts and accommodations.