Sisterhood laces up at UBC to raise spirits, funds for women’s health – Vancouver Sun
Sisterhood laces up at UBC to raise spirits, funds for women’s health Vancouver Sun
“Best of all, $180000 was raised for mental health programs at B.C. Women’s Hospital. It’s great that a healthy activity like running can help do so much good for …
“Best of all, $180,000 was raised for mental health programs at B.C. Women’s Hospital. It’s great that a healthy activity like running can help do so much good for the community.”
Thousands of women, some in costumes and most in running gear, took part in Saturday’s Shoppers Run For Women at UBC Pacific Spirit Park and Wesbrook Village. More than $180,000 was raised for mental health programs at B.C. Women’s Hospital. Gord Kurenoff / Postmedia News
Four giggling women, all dressed as unicorns with flowery tails, snapped selfies early Saturday while asking passersby who they thought was the “loveliest of them all.”
Women with feather boas, superhero capes or tights, colourful wigs, tutus and facial heart tattoos filled the festive UBC Westbrook Village grounds a good hour before the start of the morning’s Shoppers Run For Women 10K and 5K trail races through Pacific Spirit Park.
Others posed behind Run Happy frames, holding extra large Friendship, Love, Community and Courage signs, spreading cheer and Sisterhood in the UBC neighbourhood. There were also a lot of mothers, with daughters, hugging it out in front of Love You backdrops and women’s clothing products.
There were a lot of men, too, including Mel D’sa of Burnaby, who wore a larger-than-life perm-style wig while running the 5K trail race in the 50-plus men’s division. “Not sure if it works for me long-term, but it works today,” he joked.
Women of all ages, in costumes and running gear, took part in Saturday’s Shoppers Run For Women at UBC Pacific Spirit Park. Photo by Gord Kurenoff/Postmedia News
Marissa Stalman of Maple Ridge, taking part in her inaugural 5K race, soaked up the energy and vibe. As a community nurse and ambassador for Ridge Meadows Hospice Society, she’s no stranger to depression, women’s mental illness and programs for recovery.
“This is a great cause, so glad I’m here to support it,” said Stalman, who has been competing in a Total Makeover Challenge in the Fraser Valley this year and noted that part of her “lifestyle change” included buying new runners.
Sandra Sayer of Langley, fighting a cold but still able to run the 10K event, said the splendid scenery of Pacific Spirit Park and the fundraising aspect of Run For Women makes it a can’t-miss event on her busy run calendar.
“It’s always nice to run those trails with hundreds and hundreds of women. It’s a worthwhile event for women to help women and it’s nice to see the kids and men here to support it, too,” said Sayer.
There were no shortages of pre-race selfies or smiles at Saturday’s Shoppers Run For Women at UBC. Photo by Gord Kurenoff/Postmedia News
Margaret Buttner, the vice-president of the venerable Lions Gate Road Runners Club and part of the “Cirque de so Fabulous Divas” crew on Saturday, said the warm weather, the people and the energy made for an exciting morning.
“Best of all, $180,000 was raised for mental health programs at B.C. Women’s Hospital. It’s great that a healthy activity like running can help do so much good for the community,” said Buttner.
“Every dollar raised supports mothers, daughters and friends through the funding of programs that allow women to take that next step to recovery.”
Marissa Stalman of Maple Ridge, left, took part in her inaugural 5K race Saturday and soaked up the energy and Shoppers Run For Women vibe. Gord Kurenoff photo, Postmedia News
Steve Mattina, an area manager for Running Room Canada, was part of the Vancouver race directing crew. He said all equipment used at UBC would be packed up and taken to Kelowna overnight for Sunday’s Run For Women in that Okanagan community. There are 17 Canadian cities that host the Run For Women, which this year included the Little Steps 1K for children.
“Lots of behind-the-scenes stuff that makes this all work,” said Mattina, who assists with a number of larger Lower Mainland road races every year.
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