Run for Newmarket is returning this year after a successful inaugural run last fall.
Hosted by the Newmarket chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, the run had hundreds of participants and raised $16,000 for Blue Door and the Newmarket Food Pantry.
"It was a big, big success considering it was our first run," said Salman Ahmad, vice-president of the Newmarket chapter.
The original goal of the run is to support different beneficiaries in the community each year.
After the success of last year's event, they had a hard time choosing which two organizations would be the recipients of the funds raised this year.
"We were overwhelmed with the number of charities that reached out to us after last year's event," Ahmad said.
While they couldn't pick everyone, he said the during the decision process they got to visit various charities.
"It was just amazing to see what work is being done in Newmarket," he said.
Ultimately, they chose CHATS and York Region Food Network.
One of the reasons they were selected was because they serve very different areas and Ahmad said "we wanted to diversify our charities that we support."
The two charities were announced at a launch event May 27 at the Newmarket Public Library attended by representatives from each charity, local politicians, and members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association.
NewmarketToday is once again among the sponsors of Run for Newmarket, which will take place Oct. 1 at Fairy Lake Park. Registration is expected to open in mid-June.
You can follow Run for Newmarket on social media for updates on the upcoming event.
