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Race records largest numbers to date

Health Foundation road race raises over $41,000
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ABOUT 250 PARTICIPANTS set out from the Yorkton Regional High School for the fifth annual Health Foundation's Charity Road Race. Racers and sponsors combined to raise $41,100 this year which will be earmarked for the proposed new hospital.

There were 252 registered participants for the 2011 Charity Road Race, the highest number ever and an increase over the 224 participants last year, reports Ross Fisher, Executive Director of The Health Foundation. "We are really pleased with how the Charity Road Race continues to grow and become a truly regional event."

This year was a great year as there were more runners and walkers than ever. As well, it was the best fundraising year with participants raising $26,100 in pledges and the business community contributing $15,000 in sponsorship, continues Fisher.

The Yorkton Co-op was the Presenting Sponsor for the fifth year in a row. The Co-op was joined by the Swim Bike Run Sportstore who was the Associate Sponsor. Together the sponsors cover all the costs of the race so that 100% all of the pledges raised by race participants and all other cash sponsorships made by the business community can be used for local healthcare.

This was the second year the corporate relay was part of the Road Race. The relay grew from seven teams to eleven this year. The relay is a 10 km race with each member of the team running a 2.5 km leg..

"We are glad the relay event is growing, and we intend to continue to encourage it and encourage more businesses to put in teams," says Fisher. "Hopefully it will grow and we will see some friendly rivalries develop over time."

The TA Foods team of Jeff Crossman, Bailey Popowich, Lana McInnes, and Michael Popowich won the relay race with a time of 40:45.

The Crestvue Ambu-lance team consisting of Courtney Aitken, Katelyn Bucsis, Colin Niebergall and Dallas Schwartz raised the most money, with pledges of $2,425.

This year many people came out in support of the runners and walkers with a lot more people watching the race along the race route and on the grounds of the high school.

"We have been trying to grow this as a fun family event to encourage participation, and the longer we have the run the more we see that happening," Fisher notes

There was a wide range of participants this year from children five years old to runners in their 70's as well as parents pushing babies in strollers. There were many people just trying to finish their run, and of course, there were the competitive runners, Fisher points out.

The top fundraiser for 2011 was Lynelle Brehaut of Whitewood, who raised $1,780 and won the first prize of a Sony 43" flat screen high definition TV, sponsored by Audio Warehouse.

The Top 5 Fundraisers were: Lynelle Brehaut, of Whitewood ($1,780); Joanne Geysen, of Yorkton ($1,195); Tracy Newton, of Atwater ($1,130); Bernadette Kormos, of Yorkton ($1,107); Brad Surjik, of Yorkton ($ 715).

A great organizing committee worked on the race, devoting a lot of time to making sure that all the details of the day were thought of. The committee members included Bernie Wlock, Brenda Pacholka, Leslie Bazin, Andrew Rae, Brad Ouart, Terry Popowich, Sandy Vaughn-Hastie, and Gary Christopher.

"We really have to thank our sponsors for their tremendous support," says Fisher. "Without sponsorship from the business community this race could not happen." The sponsors include the major financial sponsor, the Yorkton Co-op who additionally provide water and coffee and all condiments for the breakfast.

The Swim Bike Run (SBR) Sportstore, also a major financial sponsor provide the technical t-shirt given to each participant.

The Painted Hand Casino is the nutrition sponsor.

D's Signs and Designs: print all of the race t-shirts at no charge.

The other key financial sponsors include the Western Financial Group, Bailey's Funeral Home, Audio Warehouse, Louck's Medi Health Pharmacy, TA Foods, Chickencow's Hearing Centre, Yorkton Concrete, CTV, Yorkton This Week, The News Review Extra, GX 94, Christies Funeral Home and Crematorium, Leon Ram Industries, Quick Print Yorkton, Auto Electric Service, Yorkton Toyota.

Race results were: Junior 3km - 1) Zachery McGrisken (12:09); 2) Jill Gulka (12:59); 3) Curtis McGriskin (13:07). Female 10km - 1) Bevin Ken-nelly-Thompson (36:18); 2) Jennifer Souter (38:34); 3) Lisa Benz (41:27). Age Category Winners for Female 10km - 19 and under - Katrina Pollock (1:01:50); 20 to 29 - Bevin Kennelly-Thompson (36:18); 30 to 39 - Barbara Mysko (44:15); 40 to 49- LeslieGulka (52:43); 50 to 59 - Sandy Vaughan-Hastie (54:54); 60 and Over - Hilary McKay (1:14:37).Male 10km - 1) John Svec (37:29); 2) Marcel McFarlane (39:47); 3) Rick Minett (39:56). Age Category Winners for Male 10km - 19 and under - Kyle Dressler (46:45); 20 to 29 - Cody Chasky (43:45); 30 to 39 - Jeff Crossman (45:18); 40 to 49 - John Svec (37:29); 50 to 59 - Rick Minett (39:56); 60 and Over - Ken Starger (46:24). Female 5km - 1) Brandy Blahut (21:29); 2) KylaBassingthwaite (24:25); 3) Chantel Kit-chen (25:18). Age Category Winners for Female 5km - 19 and under Brandy Blahut (21:29); 20 to 29 - Chantel Kitchen (25:18); 30 to 39 - Cheryl Chopty (25:31); 40 to 49 - Geri Litzenberger (29:10); 50 to 59 - Donna Luba (26:39); 60 to 69 - Brenda Blommaert (32:15); 70 and Over - Sylvia Gay (41:36). Male 5km - 1) Matthijs Wenning (18:32); 2) Dave Olsen (19:30); 3) Blayze Tkachuk (19:39).Age Category Winners for Male 5km - 19 and under Matthijs Wenning (18:32); 30 to 39 - Tim Kempton (23:03); 40 to 49 - Grant Doupe (24:21); 50 to 59 - Dave Olsen (19:30). The Health Foundation's fifth Annual Charity Road Race is a huge success, raising $41,100 that will be put toward the cost of the proposed new regional hospital.

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