With just over two weeks until the event kicks off, Community Links is calling for participants and volunteers to engage in the charity’s fifth annual Legacy Run to End Family Violence, scheduled for May 15 in Airdrie.
The non-profit social services agency is excited to hold the first in-person iteration of the run since 2019, following a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Laurie Jacob-Toews, community engagement services manager at Community Links, they are seeking runners, walkers, and helping hands to assist in organizing the event, which will be held at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park in support of domestic violence prevention and awareness.
“Our goal is to host 250 runners and walkers for this important fundraiser and several events are on offer,” a press release stated.
Events on offer include a race geared toward children, five-kilometre and 10-kilometre races, as well as Airdrie’s only half-marathon.
The press release stated all proceeds from each of the races will be donated to Community Links’s programming.
“Community Links offers free front-line programs and services for people living in Airdrie and surrounding communities who are impacted by this serious, pervasive public health issue,” the statement continued.
For those who aren’t interested in participating but would still like to be involved in the annual Legacy Run, the release said the organization requires at least 100 volunteers to host the community event.
Though race day is less than three weeks away, less than 20 per cent of volunteer positions have been filled, according to the release.
Event organizers are asking individuals or groups to sign up for volunteer positions including monitoring road crossings, assisting with set-up of tents and tables, directing runners, handing out medals, and tearing down the set-up after the run has wrapped up.
Finally, the organization is also seeking several photographers to help document the event.
According to race director, Shannon Nail, volunteers make the event possible and help keep the focus on the community.
“It is such an honour to be a part of this race that makes a real difference in our community,” Nail said in the same press release. “Whether you want to just come for fun or run for first place, it's all for a great cause.”
The Legacy Run was founded as part of an Airdrie community collaboration in 2017 in honour of Andrea Conroy, an Airdrie resident who was killed by her partner in an act of domestic violence in 2012 at the age of 33.
“Family violence happens behind closed doors and is under-reported to police who simply cannot put an end to this serious public health issue alone,” the statement said.
In memory of Conroy, the five-kilometer race has been named Andrea’s Run to keep her forever in Airdronians’ minds and hearts.
Those interested in volunteering or participating in the event are encouraged to visit legacyrun.ca
