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Run for mum, ride for refuge

Socially active charity events CIBC Run for the Cure and Ride for Refuge happening in Saanich this weekend
CIBC Run For the Cure
CIBC’s Run for the Cure 20th run in Victoria kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. at UVic on Sunday

NOTE: The Friday (Oct. 3) issue of the Saanich News erroneously published the CIBC Run for the Cure as Saturday, when it is in fact Sunday, Oct. 5, at 9 a.m. The News regrets the error.

There’s a new charity event planting itself into Victoria’s socially active calendar and the community response is strong.

The Ride for Refuge cycling event offers distances of 10, 25 and 50 kilometres, launching at 9 a.m. from the Saanich Community Church, 4566 West Saanich Rd. and returning to the same location on Saturday (Oct. 4).

With more than 260 riders on 44 teams (and more expected this weekend) it’s a solid Victoria debut for the national ride, the same weekend as the well-established CIBC Run for the Cure, celebrating its 20th birthday in Victoria.

“Our goal for the Ride for Refuge was to raise $40,000 and we’re already over $52,000 (as of Wednesday), so we’re just amazed at the response with 91 volunteers stepping in to help,” said Shelley Morris, CEO of the Cridge Centre for the Family, the host partner and organizer of Ride for Refuge in Victoria.

The ride is a different charity event model as it benefits 217 registered charities across Canada. Eight of those are from Victoria, including Cridge, which is on target to hit its own goal of $25,000.

Meanwhile at UVic on Sunday (Oct. 5), CIBC Run for the Cure organizers expect more than 2,800 to partake in the 5-km run around Ring Road.

The inclusive race also offers a 1-km route and is open to strollers, rollerblades and other options.

“We’re still growing. Other Run for the Cure locations in Canada have tried chip timing in different locations and we feel it’s not what we’re after. If people want, they can do the 5-km twice,” said Mandy Kandola, the volunteer co-director, who’s been with the event since 2011.

“The majority of our runners have been impacted by breast cancer one way or another,” Kandola said.

- One in nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer

- CIBC Run for the Cure has raised $7.96 million in Victoria since 1994

reporter@saanichnews.com