THUNDER BAY - For avid runner, Evelyn Gliddy of Wunnumin Lake First Nation, running through the snow or the freezing cold never really bothered her.
“I love running,” she said. “I feel good when I run in the cold.”
Gliddy was in Thunder Bay this weekend to compete in a half-marathon along with Racheal Anishinabie of Sandy Lake First Nation. It was a cold, snowy Sunday morning and as they laced up their shoes with fellow runners and prepared to hit the track, they watched the blustery weather through the windows.
On Sunday, the Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay held its 8th annual Thunderwolves Indoor Marathon at the Lakehead University Hangar.
“We started it with a view of increasing awareness of Children’s Centre Thunder Bay and Children’s Centre Foundation, but also, the link between fitness and mental health, because clearly there is a link,” said John Friday, vice president of Children’s Centre Thunder Bay and an avid runner himself.
More than 140 runners participated in events ranging from a half marathon, a 10km run, and a marathon relay. This year, six runners competed in the full marathon on Sunday.
Friday said he expects the indoor marathon to raise more than $10,000 this year, adding to the more than $100,000 raised over the past eight years.
“We thought this was a tremendous opportunity to raise funds for Children’s Centre Foundation,” he said. “It’s been a great partnership with the running community and Lakehead University.”
Michael Chamberlain, chair of the Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay, said the money raised through pledges and donations at the indoor marathon are extremely important to allowing the foundation to continue its work in the community.
“We’re very involved in public education and engaging the community in the conversation around mental health,” he said. “So this is a very significant fundraiser for us but also a lot of fun.”
Friday, who helped create the event in Thunder Bay, said there has always been strong support from the running community in the city.
“We were the first indoor marathon in Canada,” he said. “It was fairly unique and popular. It’s a cold and blistery day out there, and with an indoor event like this, we always provide a good weather guarantee.”
The marathon’s reach goes well beyond the city, attracting runners from across the region and the country.
“I think it does attract participants from quite a distance,” Chamberlain said. “We were just talking to a young lady who is running marathons all around the world. You just never know who you are going to run into here.”
It was Anishinabie’s third time running the indoor marathon in Thunder Bay. She finished second in the half-marathon on Sunday and she said participating in the event is a way of promoting running, fitness, and mental health to people living in remote communities.
“For me, it’s to bring more awareness to the native communities,” she said. “You don’t have to just play hockey or body contact sports. You can do this sport on your own, it’s a good for weight loss. There are high diabetes rates up north.”
“It’s free, except your shoes,” Anishinabie added. “And just to get out and run. In the communities there’s not much to do up there. So you keep yourself busy, and think positive.”
