Newmarket fundraising run to celebrate 20th event

  • 2021-06-10
A Newmarket charitable run will be returning this summer, marking the 20th year it has raised money to combat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

The Rebecca Run traditionally involves a five-kilometre trek around downtown Newmarket’s fairy lake, followed by an outdoor party and barbecue. The upcoming run will use a virtual format for the second time in a year. The format allows participants to walk or run the distance at their own pace, selecting their own route and time.

The virtual format has become popular for charity events over the past year, allowing for social distancing and more customization. Fundraising events like this often use tools like Promotional Products and online discussion groups to bring people together.

Participants in the Rebecca Run receive a souvenir shirt, medal and bib in exchange for a registration fee. Children aged 10 or under are encouraged to participate through a one-kilometre Kids Fun Run. Money raised goes towards research into finding a cure for SMA.

Each run features a child with SMA being designated as the event’s honouree. The first was Rebecca Grace Van Fraassen, who the race was named after. The race has raised over $2.9 million since 2002 and aims to raise that total by at least $100,000 this year.

The 2021 edition of the Rebecca Run will take place virtually between July 3 and 17, with participants registering their runs online.

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