As the season to imagine turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce approaches, it’s also a good time to be mindful of the community members who struggle to fill their tables.
Winkler’s Thanks for Giving Run is an annual event that does just that. For 18 years now, the run has taken to the streets to support the Winkler & District Food Cupboard.
"It's a great day"
Dwight Suderman is a seasoned participant — he has been involved for 17 of the 18 years that the event has occurred. His favourite part is the energy of the run on the big day.
“[I love] actually being there on the Saturday to see all the runners there kind of concentrating on doing this run and raising funds for the food cupboard,” he says. “It's a great day.”
The next iteration of the event will be on the morning of Saturday, October 12th. Registration for the Thanks for Giving Run is still open. Suderman says that online registration is open until five days before the race, but those who would like to register after this window can also sign up in person on the day itself.
Run your own race
The run has a few different options for differing levels of experience and interest. There is a 10K, 5K, a half marathon, and the Kids’ Fun Run.
Suderman says that the Kids’ Fun Run is 1.4K and open to children 12 and under, an age range slightly different from last year’s 10 and under children's event. In 2023, approximately 35 children participated.
“We’re hoping it’s the same this year,” he says.
The Thanks for Giving Run was borne out of love for running.
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“Back when we started . . . our little committee, [we wanted to] get a race going here in town because we're runners and we like to do this,” says Suderman. “We got that, but then we figured we need somewhere to attach ourselves to raise funds. That's what events like this do.”
Accordingly, the run decided to support the Winkler & District Food Cupboard, for which all registrants are encouraged to fundraise. Suderman himself is a volunteer at the cupboard.
“It's just a worthy organization that helps provide foodstuffs for those that are [facing food insecurity],” he says. “I started working there [a] couple of years [ago] . . . . I just see [that] there really is a need for what we do here at the food cupboard.”
Last year, Winkler’s Thanks for Giving Run raised over 22,000 dollars and had 238 runners. Suderman says that at this point, about two weeks before the run, 185 runners have registered. He’s optimistic that this number will climb.
As for the structure of the courses, Suderman says that the routes are familiar with some important changes due to construction.
“Most of the courses for each of these races are the same. It's just that the beginning and the end are now taking place west of the Meridian Exhibition Centre,” he says, adding that runners and attendees are encouraged to enter the parking lot off Grandeur Avenue and park on the south side of the Meridian Exhibition Centre on the day of the run.
According to Suderman, the day's fun will also be enhanced by some prizes for the runners.
“In the past, we have given away a turkey to prize winners,” he says. “We have now expanded that. We're going to give gift certificates mostly, because not everybody wants a turkey — there are so many different cultures and dietary preferences, so turkey isn’t for everyone.”
Not a runner? No problem
For those who would rather take on a supportive role at the Thanks for Giving Run, there are a few opportunities to get involved.
“Maybe just [show] up on the street along the course that day and applaud [the runners] and motivate them to keep going,” says Suderman. “You can [also] provide [funds] when a runner asks you to support them with a cash donation. There's that option. You can also support the businesses that support us. They’re listed in our brochure on our website.”
Another way to participate is through volunteering. Suderman says that volunteers are always needed for the event.
“Mostly we need people that are out in the course to sort of . . . show [runners] where to turn a corner, and . . . a little bit of traffic control,” he says. “It's mostly a safe course. We cross the big roads like Pembina Avenue at four-way stops, so it's all pretty good.”
Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to reach out on the Thanks for Giving Run Facebook page and its Instagram page.
For other initiatives in the community that are helping in the fight against food insecurity, see the articles linked below.
~With files from Ty Hildebrand~