GORE BAY—The first annual Breeze Around the Bay Run held as part of the Gore Bay Harbour Days celebrations in July was a huge success!
“Yes, I was overwhelmed,” stated Kelly Chaytor, main organizer of the event. “Greg Bond had said if we had 40 participants it should be deemed a success. We had a total of 78 runners overall.”
“And everyone who took part seems game to do it again next year,” said Ms. Chaytor. “I’m sure the event will grow as word gets around about it. It was a good way to help round out the Harbour Days weekend.”
Proceeds from the run will be going to the Gore Bay/Gordon Volunteer Fire Department. “We raised a little over $2,100,” said Ms. Chaytor. She pointed out Manitoulin Transport had donated $1,000, Bousquet Realty donated $50 plus a prize, and B.J.’s and Addisons OK Tire and Auto Service donated $50. The rest of the money was raised through the registration fees paid the runners.”
Mike Addison, Gore Bay/Gordon fire chief said, “We’re grateful for the donation. I don’t complain at how much funding support we get, but any time we receive more support it allows us to do additional things that benefit the members of the fire department and provides for additional safety for the public.”
“If the firefighters are willing to help out with the run next year as they did this year, I am thinking they can pick out a charity that the funds raised can go toward,” added Ms. Chaytor.
As for the run itself, a total of 38 runners took part in the one-kilometre run and 40 in the five-kilometre event.
In the five kilometre under 16 division, David Joyce led the way in a time of 21:49:00, with Zen Wendt second in a time of 23:07:00 and Arlo Menzies third in a time of 23:20. In the female division, Madigan Eppink was first in a time of 25:22:00, with Heather Eppink second in 26:31:00. Brooke Simon was third with a time of 26:40:00. In the male category, Wyatt Wright, led this division and all runners in the event with a time of 18:44:00. Christian Kaiser-Fox was second in a time of 20:20:00 with Will Alexander third in a time of 24:10:00
A total of 40 local businesses donated prizes for the runners.
