Ready. Set. Run!
There was no shortage of youngsters for the Children’s Run during the Stephanie Grady Memorial Run held at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Sat., Sept. 29. Thompson Goddard photo
After the runs were all over for the day, a group photo of participants was taken to record the 2018 Stephanie Grady Memorial Run for posterity. It seemed to be an enjoyable day for volunteers and participants alike. Thompson Goddard photo
Carolyn Thompson Goddard
Record Correspondent
SOUTH DUNDAS – Over 200 people gathered at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary to participate in the fourth annual Stephanie Grady Memorial Run on Sat., Sept. 29. A similar run in P.E.I., Stephanie’s home province, was held earlier this year.
Stephanie Grady was a local teacher, runner, wife and mother who contracted an extremely rare form of cancer, NUT midline carcinoma, and died of the disease in May 2014 before being able to receive experimental treatment in the U.S. for which fundraising events in many parts of this country had been held.
One of the projects which the funds raised and was used for was the Stephanie Grady Educational Pavilion at the UCMBS. This was the registration spot for the Stephanie Grady Memorial Run the past four years.
This year the run combined two of Grady’s favourite foods, chocolate and cheesecake, with her passions for running, family fun and enjoyment of life. Runners were able to enjoy some chocolate during the run and once finished were provided with a selection of delicious cheesecakes to choose from for a sweet treat.
Around 11 a.m. youngsters began making their way to the starting gate for the Children’s Run, when an announcement by organizers advised that the large turnout had resulted in a shortage of run medals for the children. Within seconds many of the participants in the 10 kilometre and 5 kilometre races made their way to donate their medals for the youngsters which resulted in a heartfelt thanks from Stephanie’s sister Crystal Doyle and few dry eyes in the crowd.
Nick Grady, Stephanie’s husband, and her sister Crystal Doyle both expressed their thanks and appreciation to the communities which participated in the event, which Nick felt was probably one of the larger races to date.
A sea of light blue (Stephanie’s favourite colour) topped picnic tables provided an opportunity to enjoy some fellowship, rest and perhaps a barbecued hot dog or hamburger. The proceeds from the barbecue were to be provided to the Boardwalk Campaign of the UCDMBS which is repairing and replacing the onsite boardwalks.
Proceeds from the Stephanie Grady Memorial Run will be donated to Camp Erin Eastern Ontario, a bereavement camp for children, with Stephanie’s legacy continuing to support the community once again.
