Community Strong Festival underway in the Sault
A series of marathons are being held this weekend in Sault Ste. Marie as part of the Community Strong Festival.
The fundraiser is a partnership between the Algoma Family Services Foundation and the local YMCA.
It’s designed to raise money for local mental and physical health initiatives, especially for the city’s youth who may not have access to mental health services or simple recreation.
The festival kicked off with a 5K colour run Saturday, which organizer Sonny Spina said was aimed at getting everyone out and running.
“One of the reasons we chose a colour run is that we really wanted to show that anybody can get involved, of any fitness level, and join in, join the conversation, join the community, and be a part of this,” said Spina.
Gail Provenzano, is the driving force behind the festival. The idea came about following the loss of her son, Brett, to suicide 12 years ago.
“After losing my son, I took up running. It started off with a 2K with the phenomenal Sault Striders group in Sault Ste. Marie. That, I found, was a peace of mind. It would help me get through a couple miles of not thinking about what has happened,” said Provenzano.
For Provenzano’s daughter, Marnie, this was her first 5K run. She said physical activity, and gatherings such as the Community Strong Festival, can be of great benefit to mental health.
“Part of the reason why people struggle so hard with their mental health is because we’re alone,” she said.
“Things like this bring people together around something that is focused on their better health.”
On Sunday, the BP61 run will held. “BP” stands for Brett Provenzano, and the 61 refers to his high school football number. It’s a 61 kilometre run, and will take place alongside separate full, and half marathon events.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Israel says it reopened a key Gaza crossing after a rocket attack but the UN says no aid has entered
The Israeli military said Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby.