Like many things in their lives, 10-year-old Carter and 13-year-old Everley are participating in the Vancouver Half Marathon/5K Charity Challenge because their mom told them to. But that doesn’t mean they’re not excited about it! The annual event brings together many local charitable organizations, challenging each other to see who can raise the most money for their respective causes.
Carter and Everley are looking forward to joining their mom and her Pacific Public Health Foundation (PPHF) colleagues at the starting line on Sunday, June 22. Since mom started working with the Foundation a year ago, she’s been teaching them how important public health is for their well-being, and how fundraising events like this one support initiatives that help keep them healthy.
For Carter, a sports jack-of-all-trades, public health means putting on safety gear while he plays soccer, practices kickboxing and “shreds the gnar” on a skateboard. He was born with a lung condition and suffers from chronic asthma, so he really likes the work being done by Foundation partners to help find the root causes of asthma. He hopes it will help other kids, so they won’t need to use a daily inhaler or take frequent breaks during a track and field day, like he does.
Everley is a true equestrian at heart, and public health means wearing a helmet and safety vest while she rides Aladdin, her favourite horse, at the barn where she takes lessons. She will be going to high school this fall, and is well aware of the health risks associated with tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and unregulated drugs—all made very clear to her by her teachers and parents! She also appreciates the youth mental health programs the Foundation supports. Knowing there are services available to help her and her friends if they need them will help smooth her transition from elementary to high school.
One of the family’s favourite public health activities is going for walks with their beloved dogs, Queenie and Bambi. While this 5K will be pup-free, the rest of the pack will be waiting at the finish line with lots of cheers and ice cream to celebrate their achievement!
If you’re interested in joining Carter, Everley, and the Pacific Public Health Foundation team, you can register on the race roster website as an individual in support of the Foundation or create a team for your program or department. If you can’t join in person, you can register virtually or make a donation.
Every dollar counts and will go toward the Foundation’s 30+ active public health projects throughout BC, like research helping to prevent asthma in children, developing new tools to tackle the toxic drug crisis, and addressing the impacts of climate change on equity-deserving populations. The team goal is $5000, and with the support of donors, partners, and friends, we know they may even surpass it!
How far is 5 kilometres?
5 km is not as far as you think. And if you need some help getting ready for race day, check out the 10-week beginner 5K Training plan and the 10-week beginner Half Marathon Training plan.
Prizes will be awarded to the highest individual fundraiser and the team that raises the most money for Pacific Public Health Foundation. Share your participation and support on social media, and invite family and friends to join too! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Bluesky.
June 22 will be a beautiful day to kick off the summer, raise some money for public health, spend time with colleagues and maybe even make some new friends! Good luck to everyone who will be joining us, and thank you for your support.
