Run the North, sponsored by Bell and Newmont Musselwhite

Thank you for your willingness to help raise funds for Indigenous Youth Achievement and Recognition Awards and United Way of Thunder Bay in support of youth programming in our community and region.

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE:

1. If you have not already done so, please visit the Run the North registration page and sign up for the event. (CLICK HERE TO REGISTER)

2. Once registered and paid, you can help support youth in your community by raising funds from your family, friends and neighbours.

3-A. You can select Join as an Individual to create your own individual fundraising page. You can also use this option to create a single Family or Group page and fundraise together using the same fundraising page. All funds raised will be credited to your individual page.

3-B. OR you can select Create at Team in order to create a master Team Page. From there, other family members or workplace colleagues can choose Join a Team and create their own individual fundraising page under your team's master page. Team members will fundraise individually and receive prize ballots based on their individual funds raised, but your individual efforts will roll up to show what your entire team has generated to support youth.

4. Once you've created your fundraising page, you can invite family, friends, colleagues, teachers and your entire network to make a donation towards your fundraising efforts. For every $50 you raise, you'll receive a ballot to win one of several awesome fundraising prizes – the more you raise, the more chances to win!

5. There will also be a fabulous grand prize awarded to the top individual fundraiser.

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Get active, raise funds to support youth in our community and region, and get ready to RUN THE NORTH!

United Way of Thunder Bay, Indigenous Youth Achievement and Recognition Awards (IYARA), and Wasaya Airways are excited to announce the return of our 3rd ‘Run the North’ event, June 9 - 19, 2022! This event is proudly presented by Bell and Newmont Musselwhite.

Over the last 2 years, we’ve hosted this non-competitive virtual event that saw participants from over 31 communities across the region walk, run, bike or hike, a 1k or 5k distance, allowing them to ‘run their race at their own pace’. Some did their activities individually, while others participated as a family, or even as a work group!

NEW FOR 2022: An optional in-person Walk/Fun-Run will be held in Thunder Bay at Boulevard Lake on Saturday, June 18, starting at 10:30 a.m.  Participation is limited to the first 150 registrants.

Last year, with the support of our 345 participants, hundreds of donors, and generous sponsors, we were able to raise over $27,000!

This year, we want to expand on the success of this event (the largest race in NWO), with a goal of 500+ participants raising over $30,000!

Funds raised through this event will support youth programming funded by the United Way of Thunder Bay and Indigenous Youth Achievement and Recognition Awards.

The United Way of Thunder Bay advocates to create positive support systems, build self-esteem, and expose youth to positive role models, doors to success and empowerment can open for youth helping them to reach their full potential. Indigenous Youth Achievement and Recognition Awards focuses on recognizing and honouring Indigenous youth along their journey as they look forward to new and innovative ways of learning and planning for their future. 

FOLLOW US ON OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE to stay up to date on all things Run the North: https://www.facebook.com/nworunthenorth

Date: June 9 - 19, 2022

Times & Location: ‘Run the North’ from ANYWHERE you are and ‘RUN YOUR RACE AT YOUR OWN PACE’ any time between the event dates.

Optional In-Person Walk/Run: A 1k Walk or 5k Fun-Run will be held in Thunder Bay at Boulevard Lake, Saturday, June 18, starting at 10:30 a.m. Limited to the first 150 registrants.

Race Kit Pick Up Location & Dates: Whether participating virtually or in-person, you'll receive a race kit including a medal and race bib. Race Kits will be available for pick-up in Thunder Bay at Fresh Air, 710 Balmoral Street, Friday June 3 and Tuesday June 7 from 4-6:30 PM. If you are from a regional community, we'll send you your race kit(s).

Online 50/50 Raffle: Your chance to WIN CASH while supporting youth. Visit www.uwaytbay5050.ca

Prizes: We will be giving away prizes for 2 different initiatives:

1. Fundraise for Youth: Additional fundraising is optional and encouraged! Ask your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, teacher or whoever you know for pledges in support of youth in your community. For every $50 you raise, you will receive an entry into our fundraising prize draws (e.g. if you fundraise $200, you'll receive 4 ballots – the more you raise, the more chances to win!). We will also have 1 grand prize award for top individual fundraiser! Prizes will be announced prior to the event. You can use the online Run the North peer-to-peer fundraising platform to collect online donations – a tax receipt will be emailed to all donors instantly. OR you can use our paper pledge form to collect cash or cheque from your sponsors. All forms and monies must be handed in before the event when you come to pick up your race kits.
2. Let's Get Social and share your Run the North photos/video on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tik-Tok. It's simple: A. Take a photo/video before, during, or after your race with your race bib, medal, or Run the North clothing; B. Post it on your social media; C. Tag the Run the North Facebook Page (@nworunthenorth); D. Use the hashtag #RuntheNorth; or E. You can also tag United Way of Thunder Bay (@uwaytbay) and Indigenous Youth Achievement & Recognition Awards (@nwoayara). The more you post, the more chances to win!

Get Your Run the North Gear: We're pleased to offer unique, custom Run the North clothing!! Purchase Run the North branded running t-shirts, regular t-shirts, or sweaters and $10 - $15 from each purchase will be donated back to support youth!! This year, we have a new design, some new colours and clothing options that we're really excited about – and that we know you'll love. CLICK HERE