They say people should stay as active as they can in their sunset years, but a couple of women in North Bay are running well ahead of the sunset.
The two women, Sandy Foster and Pam Hansen, are in their 70's and run regularly.
They have been running partners for the last ten years
On Sunday, they ran for more than just weekly exercise, putting in over a half marathon distance from Sturgeon Falls to North Bay to help raise money for a project they care about, the new Nipissing Serenity Hospice being built in North Bay.
"We relay ran from Sturgeon Falls Hospital to the new hospice site on Sunday. We relayed for, I think, 20 or 30 kilometres and then we joined together and then we ran the last bit. So I think we each ran about 25k." said Foster.
(Sandy Foster)
25 kilometres is a little over a half marathon.
In total, the women raised $14,000, nearly doubling their goal of $7,500.
“It's awesome. I've never raised funds before. Sandy has, but I haven't. I was blown away at how generous the people of North Bay and my family were. I've got family in Thunder Bay, Colorado, Sault Saint Marie. Everybody gave.” said Hansen.
(Pam Hansen)
Foster came up with the idea and the $7,500 target as a way to celebrate their 75th birthdays.
“So I said to Pam, ‘you don't have to come.’ And she said of course I'll come.” said Foster.
“If you can do it, we're both healthy, we both enjoy running. This was a wonderful opportunity to raise some funds for a good cause, why not?" said Hansen.
The women may have completed their project and may have exceeded their fundraising goal, but they say they won't be slowing down their running routine anytime soon.
