Running and walking to raise funds for MSC, Parkinsons
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Sarah Vince walked, ran and pushed her way through the annual Tillsonburg MSC Trail Walk & Run Sunday morning.
Vince pushed a stroller with her two and four-year-old sons, Sam and Oliver, on board most of the way.
"He (Oliver) only got out for the really big hills," Vince smiled. "But he was good though, he's a good runner."
It was the Vince family's second Trail Walk & Run, which raises funds for the Tillsonburg Multi-Service Centre and Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario.
"It was by accident last year," Vince admitted. "We stopped by, it was a big event, and we joined it. He (Sam) was just a baby then, so it was easier."
Slightly out of breath at the end of the 5-km race, Vince said the only adjustment she had to make was going backwards down 'the' big hill.
"Otherwise I might have lost these two," she laughed. "But that was our technique and we did it, right Sam? And then the kids were cheering me on - they were saying 'Go mommy go! I'm like, 'Get out, I need you to walk with mommy!' They decided to cheer instead - it does help."
The real fun was about to begin for the Vince family after the race was completed.
"Now we're looking forward to the fire truck and the bouncy castle."
About 40 people pre-registered for Sunday's Walk & Run, and approximately 100 participated in the 2km and 5km walk and runs.
"Good luck to everyone in the walk and run or whatever you choose to do," said Val Forester, Multi-Service Centre board member, welcoming participants to Coronation Park in Tillsonburg earlier Sunday morning.
"Thank you so much for being here with us on this wonderful Sunday morning," said Kathryn Leatherland, interim MSC Executive Director/CEO. "We really appreciate you supporting the Multi-Service Centre and the Parkinson Society, and we hope that you have a fantastic time this morning running and walking with your families."
Steve Hickson, from the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario, told participants their vision is to be the voice of people living with Parkinsons, and they do it through support services, education, advocacy and research.
"We've been happy to be part of this for... oh, I've lost count," Hickson smiled. "How long? Seven years! I've been out to this event many many times myself and I really enjoy it.
"All the money, the portion that is raised that goes to the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario, will stay will stay in Southwestern Ontario to help people living with Parkinsons and their families."
The Trail Walk & Run course featured a 2-km route and 5-km route, with the 2-km participants simply turning around and heading back earlier.
"The rest of you doing the 5k, you'll head up the hill, as you go out you will see there is a loop at the top of the hill, and we run that loop clockwise," said Angela Newson, MSC special events planner. "Once you get there you'll see there is a hill, and then you think it's done, there's another hill, and then there's another hill, and at the top of that hill, there is a water station out there as well. So be confident there's water at the top."