IDS Game of Life Run/Walk raises over $30,000

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC)’s inaugural IDS Game of Life Run/Walk raised more than $30,000 for CGC’s International Development through Sport (IDS) Unit. Almost 800 runners and walkers of all ages took part in the March 20 awareness-raising event, which was held in Toronto and Calgary in partnership with The Running Room and Mizuno Canada.

In Calgary, John Stanton, founder of the Running Room and a CGC board member, was among those braving chilly weather in Calgary to hand out medals and share his thoughts with the crowd about the importance of CGC’s IDS activities. Mizuno Canada President John Stacey joined Heather Moyse, Olympic champion bobsledder and former Commonwealth Games Canada intern, in celebrating the participants in Toronto.

The Game of Life Run/Walk’s volunteer organizers were primarily alumni from Commonwealth Games Canada’s internship programs, who planned the event with the assistance of Running Room staff in each city.

Carla Thachuk, CGC’s Director of International Programs, called the inaugural Game of Life Run/Walk “a great success—and a lot of fun,” adding that it wouldn’t have happened without the support and commitment of sponsors, volunteers, alumni, and the Commonwealth Games Canada Board of Directors. “I would like to thank everyone—and in particular, John Stanton and the Running Room—for helping to make this event a reality,” Thachuk says. “It truly was a team effort, and we should all be very proud of the result. We can’t wait to start planning for next year!”

Please click on the links below to view photos from the 2011 Game of Life Run/Walk.