2014 Alive to Strive Race

A Beautiful Day for a Fun and Family-Friendly Race!

Sunshine and high spirits were plentiful at the fourth annual Alive to Strive Race, which took place Sunday morning at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. More than 880 participants laced up their running shoes for the 10km, 5km and 1km races. Race results are available on Quidchrono.

The 5km wheelchair race, making its debut this year, kicked off the day’s events. Next up on the start line were the 10km participants followed by the 5km participants. Participants took off down Hog’s Back Road to the sound of cheers and encouragement from spectators and volunteers! Then, 45 teams lined up for the 5km Team Challenge. One team taking part was made up of 12 courageous runners who accepted a challenge to wear 3KG (6.6lbs) vests to raise awareness of kidney disease. The 3KG vests represent the average amount of weight a kidney dialysis patient gains between dialysis treatments due to fluid retention. Thank you to Mike Herzog, Eric Collard, Kimothy Walker, Jason Dunkerley, Deb Zimmerman, Amit Langote, Mathieu Fleury, Tim Tierney, Jody Mitic, Ted Clark, Melanie Adams, David Witiluk and Susan Power. Your willingness to take on the 3KG challenge was fantastic!

Our 2014 Race Ambassador Hélène Lavoie also ran the 5km race with her team of family and friends, as well as her kidney donor, Marcel Duguay. Another team was made up of seven dialysis patients; a special thank you to Hélène Campbell, who ran the 5km! Some participants dressed up in fun costumes, including the X-Men team and the team with capes, who received many cheers along the way!

The energy along Hog’s Back Road was contagious with so many cheering families and supporters. Everyone was having a great time and enjoying the beautiful sunny day ordered especially for our race!

Later in the morning, walkers and runners in the 1km were treated to a special warm up by the Ottawa Red Blacks cheerleaders! Young people, children under six, dialysis patients and others, were pumped up and ready to go around the Terry Fox track!

At the end of their races, people were congratulating each other, high fiving in victory. And what better way to end your race than with a delicious lunch! A warm lunch was much appreciated, as were the free massages by Pro Physio, the fresh fruit by Eating Well Ottawa, and the delicious hot tea by David’s Tea.

A festive community feeling was felt throughout the entire event. With 130 volunteers, 888 participants, families, friends and other supporters, the camaraderie, energy and sportsmanship was truly amazing!

The race could not have been a success without its volunteers. Our dedicated volunteers cheered on participants, their energy and enthusiasm carrying runners and walkers through to the finish line on the Terry Fox track. They manned the registration tables, set up barricades, handed out water, directed runners on the course, served lunch, and helped with countless other duties. Race day went smoothly thanks to their invaluable contributions.

The race also could not have happened without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank our Gold sponsors: Fresenius Medical Care and Alexion; and our Silver sponsors: Top Shape Fitness, and the Ottawa Hospital Nephrologists. As well, thanks to our Bronze sponsors: AMGEN, BHC Medical, The Co-operators, Gambro, Sanofi, Janssen, Howard Fine Jewellers, Orleans Myers, SURE Print and Graphics Orleans, BMO Harris Private Banking, Renaissance Investments, MMM Group, CIBC Wood Gundy Ray Dubeau Investment Advisor, KPMG, Canadian Strength, i-tag promo, and Running Room. Thank you to our Iron sponsors: Ottawa Sportspage and Culligan. We greatly appreciate your generosity and your support for this race that makes a positive impact in the lives of those living with chronic kidney disease.

We are very proud to announce that this year’s Alive to Strive Race raised $25,000 for the Alive to Strive organization. The entirety of these funds will support the fitness grants offered by the Alive to Strive Kidney Fitness Project for people living with chronic kidney disease. In addition, nearly $12,500 in donations was raised for the Kidney Foundation of Canada (patient care program), the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Kidney Research Centre in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Thank you for your participation in the race and for supporting those living with chronic kidney disease to stay healthy and active!

We look forward to seeing you again next year for the 5^th annual Alive to Strive Race. Save the date, April 26, 2015!

Full Race Results

• 5K
• 5K wheelchair
• 5K Team
• 5K Top 4
• 10K

The 2014 Alive to Strive Race Awards and Prizes