NEWS RELEASE
SOUTHLAKE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE FOUNDATION
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The postponed 2020 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake has been officially rescheduled, and this year’s event is going virtual! From Sept. 23 to 27 join the SL5K Virtual Challenge, a five-day kilometer challenge to see just how much ground you can cover in support of the most urgent needs at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
This year’s Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake was originally scheduled for April 26, but was postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions on large gatherings still in place, Southlake Foundation has embraced the opportunity to create a virtual experience unlike any other.
This re-imagined 5-day virtual kilometer challenge will allow participants to choose any distance goal and any number of distance-based activities – run, walk, bike, row, or even hopscotch.
Using the My Virtual Mission platform, which can sync to your favourite fitness app, participants will be able to track their kilometres, see themselves advance along the route, motivate fellow teammates through an interactive chat forum, and more!
Included with registration is a 2020 event t-shirt, finisher medal and race kit, which will be available for curbside pick-up at Nature’s Emporium in Newmarket Sept. 18 and 19. Exciting new prizes are also available to reward participants for their fundraising efforts.
As Southlake’s largest annual fundraiser, this event provides vital support to the hospital. The goal for the SL5K Virtual Challenge is to raise $150,000 which will support the hospital’s most urgent priorities, including new and replacement tools, equipment and technology not funded by the government. The support of our communities in participating and fundraising will ensure that Southlake’s clinical teams have the tools they need to continue to provide leading-edge care, close to home for everyone who needs it.
Registration for the virtual event is now open. For full details about the SL5K Virtual Challenge or to register, visit www.runforsouthlake.ca.
About the Run for Southlake
The Nature's Emporium Run for Southlake is the evolution of the Bob Hartwell Challenge that began in 2002 to pay tribute to local businessman, civic leader and avid runner, Bob Hartwell. Through his incredible contribution to the community, Bob touched many lives in his 54 years. The Run for Southlake honours his legacy by raising much-needed funds for our local hospital so that we can all continue to have access to the leading-edge care that we deserve, close to home.
This event has since evolved into Southlake’s largest annual signature event and has become a fixture in our communities, with the first-ever sold-out event in 2018. Just as Southlake touches the lives of people beyond York Region, participants come from all over to join in. From South Simcoe, Durham and Dufferin Counties, Toronto and even as far north as Muskoka, participants from 3 to 80 years old come to support leading-edge health care for their family, friends and neighbours.
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