Race season is upon us! That beautiful time of year when the snow begins to melt and more and more runners and walkers can be seen along the canal. The air is still crisp, but the sun is warm on your face, the days are getting longer and you know that the winter blues are behind you!
The 2015 Alive to Strive race is only 57 days away. And, this year is special. We are celebrating our 5th anniversary, and we want to celebrate with you!
So, stop procrastinating and take advantage of these longer, warmer days to spend some time outside training for the upcoming race. With the early-bird rates behind us, sign up as soon as you can because rates will increase on April 1.
Events
This year, join hundreds of other runners and walkers from the National Capital Region in the following events:
- 10K walk/run
- 5K walk/run
- 5K youth walk/run (7-12 years old)
- 5K Team Challenge walk/run (minimum of 4 participants, maximum of 10)
- 5K wheelchair
- 1K, 5K, 10K walk/run for dialysis patients
- 1K, 5K, 10K walk/run for kids 6 and under
- 1K fun walk/run
Fun for the whole family
The beauty of the Alive to Strive race is that it has something for everyone. Whether you are a walker, a competitive or recreational runner, or participating in your very first race, we have an event for you! All events are family friendly, and children 6 and under participate for FREE!
We also offer all participants a free, kidney-friendly healthy lunch, and a Health Check booth for kidney disease prevention and early detection. It’s never too early to start thinking about your kidneys!
3-Kg Challenge
Again this year, the Alive to Strive race will feature runners who will be taking part in a very special challenge—running with a 3-kg vest. This extra weight represents the average amount of weight a dialysis patient gains in a single day from fluid retention due to malfunctioning kidneys. Stay tuned to find out who will be participating in this year’s 3-Kg Challenge!
Thoughts from past race participants
Here are a few testimonials from people who have participated in the Alive to Strive race:
“The Alive to Strive race is very well organized, with one of the highest volunteer turnouts I’ve ever seen. Great food, great prizes, great people and a great cause. I highly recommend it!”
– Joe Rogers, Coach, Ottawa Triathlon Club
“I take part in the Alive to Strive race because it supports a good cause. I know someone who has donated a kidney and someone who has received one. I participate each year because it is a fun course and I enjoy challenging myself. At the end of the race, I can evaluate and compare my times to gauge my fitness. The race has a wonderful atmosphere with both recreational and competitive runners.”
– Joshua Karanja, Paralympian guide runner, four-time winner of the Alive to Strive 10K race
“I had a fabulous time at the 2014 Alive to Strive race. It was extremely well organized, the volunteers were very friendly and quick to lend a hand, and there was great fan support along the route. I felt a real sense of community! I really enjoyed participating in an event that raises money for and brings awareness to such an important cause. I can’t wait to run again this year!
– Anne Houston, Boston Marathon qualifier and participant
So what do we do with the funds we raise from the race?
100% of the money raised from the Alive to Strive race goes to helping those with kidney disease to live healthier, more active lives. This money is used to fund our Active Living Grant Program. Through this Program we have given out a total of 68 grants: 31 individual grants and 37 group training grants! These grants provide individuals with chronic kidney disease with gym memberships, our “Let’s Get Moving” classes, other group classes, etc. Individuals who would otherwise not have the means to access these services, are given the opportunity to live happier, healthier, more active lives.
Alive to Strive participants’ generous donations also help to raise funds for four very important organizations: the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Kidney Research Center, and the Alive to Strive Kidney Fitness Project.
So don’t delay and REGISTER TODAY! We will see you on Sunday, April 26!
For more information on race day, visit our website or contact us at alivetostrive@gmail.com.
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