Get some exercise and help your local hospital tomorrow.
The 21st Annual Rotary Huron Shore Run will be taking place in Southampton.
The event is a joint effort of the Port Elgin and Southampton Rotary Clubs and with the help of the Saugeen Track Club, it raises money for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation towards new equipment.
Participants can run 5 or 10 kilometres, in-line skate for 10 kilometres, or walk for 3 or 5 kilometres.
Organizer Jacalene Scott said it isn’t a race, but many runners do use the event to set their time by.
The run portion is a “Class A” event sanctioned by the Ontario Roadrunners Association.
New for this year is the option of cycling for 10 kilometres.
Brent Martin organizes that portion and says they thought it would be a great new option for those who cannot easily run the full distance, or who wanted to take their children along for the ride in a bicycle trailer.
The cycling option is being limited to 50 participants for its first year and they must pre-register at Martin’s Bicycle Shop in Southampton.
The event begins and ends at the Walker House in Southampton.
Scott says pre-registration takes place from 7 PM Friday evening at the Rotary Scout Hall on Gray Street.
On Saturday, registration continues from 8 AM.
At around 9:15 AM — the runners will head out, with those opting to walk starting at around 10 AM.
And, because the Rotary Huron Shore Run raises money for the hospital, participants are required to make a donation of at least 30 dollars and are encouraged to collect pledges from their friends, family, and neighbours.
Fundraising forms are available at the hospital in Southampton from Martin’s Bicycle Shop the hospital, RONA building supplies, and in Port Elgin from the Chamber of Commerce, the Fitness Corner, and Lakeshore Recreation.
Staff at local banks have also challenged each other to raise the most money, and a similar challenge exists in the medical community.