The Humboldt District Hospital Foundation is teaming up with the Humboldt Journal for this year's Have a Heart Walk, Run or Bike.
The Journal will be a major sponsor for the fundraiser, scheduled for Sept. 29.
"Media is very important to any event," said Lorrie Bunko, the foundation's executive director. "Having the Journal on board as a major sponsor is just amazing. It's a perfect partnership for this event."
"Our sponsorship of this event shows the Journal's ongoing commitment to our community," said Al Guthro, the Journal's publisher. "Promoting a healthy lifestyle promotes a healthy community."
Participants will be able to choose from a half marathon, 10 km walk or run, 10 km bike or 5km walk or run, ensuring that people of all abilities will have an option. The route will be throughout Humboldt and will highlight key areas as well as the new trail system that is currently under development.
Registration fees for individuals will be $20. This represents a significant decrease from last year's event, when registration was $50. Bunko said the decreased cost is due to more sponsorship support and is hoping that everyone will bring a minimum of $150 in pledges.
All funds raised will support the foundation's Equip to Care campaign for purchasing new equipment at the hospital. The goal is to raise $750,000 over the next two years for, among other things, a new portable ultrasound machine and new palliative care beds.
As an added wrinkle, the foundation has recruited three people to participate in a challenge leading up to the event.
Charla Koenders, an employee at the Royal Bank in Humboldt, Brayden Klimosko, the Humboldt Broncos' assistant coach and Mike Saretsky, the mayor of Watson, have all agreed to participate and train in preparation for the run.
Koenders will take part in the 5km, while Klimosko and Saretsky will participate in the 10km. For Saretsky it's a chance to challenge himself after being away from sports for a while.
"I don't run at all," he said. "I played sports as a kid like anyone else but haven't done anything for the past 10 years," he added with a laugh.
"I ran three K the other night and didn't have to walk any of it, it took me about 25 minutes," he said.
Saretsky's goal is to run from Englefeld to Watson (about eight kilometres) by the middle of August as he slowly builds up his endurance and stamina. He's currently running every other night and often wakes up just a little bit sore.
Of course, it's not just those three who can be encouraged to take part.
"Challenge your friends, neighbours or co-workers to enter a team and raise some much-needed money for the foundation," Guthro said.
For those who are skeptical they have what it takes, just consider that completing a run isn't just a physical task. As any runner can tell you, sometimes the biggest hurdles to overcome are those in your head.
"It's 10 per cent physical, 90 per cent mental," Bunko said.
"The run/walk isn't just for elite athletes," Guthro said. "It's a family event that everyone can take part in."
If you're interested in how Saretsky, Klimosko or Koenders are doing in their preparations for the run, look no further than the pages of the Journal. All three will be writing updates that will appear in the newspaper and will let us in on how their training and preparation is going.
Look for these entries in upcoming issues of the Journal and be sure to check out the Have a Heart Walk, Run or Bike on Sept. 29.
