By Miranda Abraham
Runners from all over the city came to participate in the “9 Run Run” race Oct. 18 in support of mental health awareness and the Do It For Daron (DIFD) Foundation.
Algonquin students have their part in the success as well. Police, paramedic, and fire fighting students came out to volunteer by manning the barricades and road closures.
The opportunity is not lost on Travis Robidoux, police foundations student.
“It’s great experience for me, assisting first hand with the Ottawa police,” he said.
As for his overall impression of the event, Robidoux echoes what runners have been saying to Brenda Tirrell, race director, every year. “I think it’s amazing with the amount of people to show up and give their time back to their community.
All the volunteers and organizers make the time for this special day to be completed,” he said.
DIFD is a foundation started by the family and friends of Daron Richardson who tragically took her own life at only 14 years old.
The race acts as both fundraiser for this foundation, and overall voice for mental health issues.
I think it’s amazing with the amount of people to show up and give their time back to their community.
There are three events – a “2 k-ish” for family, a 10 k, and a half marathon. This year marked the fifth annual 9 Run Run event.
Race director, Brenda Tirrell clearly remembers the humble beginnings of the event five years ago.
“There was five of us, all runners, all neighbours and friends and we got together and all talked about what we loved about the races that we’ve done. We came up with this great mould to do the 9 Run Run.”
That mould has improved every year and the race is growing exponentially.
From just 800 participants in the first year, organizers saw over 1,700 participants this year. Last year they raised $20,000. To date they have raised over $100,000 for youth mental health and DIFD.