Friday 3 June 2016

Race Recap: True North Academy Fun Run

Saturday May 28th, 2016 marked the 2nd annual True North Academy Fun Run. The run has a kids 1km and a 5km run/walk that starts at Beach Area 5 at the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and runs the trails and beach as an out and back course. The race benefits a private Christian school in Wasaga Beach that keeps tuition costs low to be affordable and accessible for local families.

I should also mention that this race is near and dear to my heart as my colleague Lisa and I are the race directors. This run was a dream of ours as we are both so passionate about teaching and running and wanted to bring the two together. Our inaugural event was so much more successful than we could have ever imagined and we were so excited for the second year, going in with more experience and understanding of what we were doing.
My partner in crime 

Friday was packet pick up from 4-6 at the school. We had bib pick up, swag bags and shirt pick up. We had great tech t-shirts that were lime green and on the back the school logo with the script "10 years still running strong" as this year the school celebrated its' 10th anniversary.
packet pick up
Race day!
7:45-8:45am was same-day registration and packet pick up. It was set to be a hot day nearing 30 degrees with humidity. We started promptly at 9am with opening announcements, O Canada, a prayer and a warm up by local Chiropractor, Dr. Sarah. Sarah also puts on a running clinic each spring and fall that both Lisa and I have been a part of.
Councillor Sylvia Bray and Dr. Sarah

The excitement was growing

warm up

Warm up


From there, local councillor and owner of everyone's favourite ice cream shop Grandma's Beach Treats, Sylvia Bray did the countdown to send off the kids 1km racers. There was great music from the DJ keeping the energy and excitement up.



After all the kids were finished and received their custom made finishers medal the 5km runners and walkers lined up and waited for Sylvia to announce the official start.
The start of the 5km

The course ran from gravel trail, to packed beach front, to paved trail back to beach front to the turn around (which had water, thank goodness!) and back again. There were lots of course marshals with arrows and km markers along the course.


Mark and I running on the beach

The course turning up onto the trail

Friendly course marshals

The paved trail on the way back


I got to run the race with Mark, our second race together, and loved every moment of it. Many of my students ran the race so it was fun on the out and back course to see so many friends and family and to cheer them all on with such beautiful surroundings. The weather and the course provided a challenge as it was so hot and the ground uneven at parts on the sand but was still manageable.
Sharing in my passion 
It was so nice to have photographer Jessica Lindsay (and close friend of mine) there to capture all the special moments.
friend and photographer extraordinare

sweaty hugs with this sweet friend

My dad and mom, top male and female walkers

Giving out medals to my dad





A special moment for Mark and his mom!


After the race participants were able to sign up for a free 15 minute massage from a local MRT.

Participants had water, coffee, tea, gatorade, timbits, watermelon, apples, chips and more to choose from for post-race nourishment.

Once everyone had finished we announced all our thank-you's and gave out age category prizes (custom coasters) to the top 3 in each age category for the run (male and female in under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+) and top 3 males and females in the walk category. We had a podium made last year and were able to have each winner stand on the podium for photos.

After that we drew names from our bib raffle (all participants received an entry!). The first choice from the prize table went to our top fundraisers. There were some fantastic prizes including 2 new bikes, blue jays hats and shirts, gift baskets, gift cards and gift certificates and so much more.


Overall it was a great day and taking on the role of race director gives me new respect and appreciation for all race directors as it is no easy feat to put on such an event;
but it is so rewarding to watch the kids run and learn healthy lifestyles and a love for the outdoors. Also, to know that all this effort translates to a Christian education in small classrooms to benefit these kids make it all more than worth it.


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