Running five for type one
Officers’ Square was the start and finish line for a five-kilometre run to raise money for type one diabetes research on Feb. 2. The Fredericton Craft Beer Festival organized the race and hosted a series of games that followed.
Runners, new and old, joined together to support the cause. Newcomer John Dawe, 44, used the race as an opportunity to train for an upcoming military course that will promote him to the next rank. He’s currently a corporal in the Canadian Forces.
“It was a blast. I had a fun time,” said Dawe. “I think everyone should come out and support it 100 per cent.”
Dawe ran the entire race with a rucksack on his back, which ranges in weight from 45 to 100 pounds, stopping only to cheer others across the finish line. But Dawe also ran for his friends with diabetes.
“They’re not type one, but they have it,” said Dawe. “It was a good cause, and I ran for them.”
Lloyd Chambers, 47, is the festival’s executive director. He’s been arranging events in support of type one research for the last 20 years. For Chambers, type one hits even closer to home. His son Cody, now 20, was diagnosed when he was just two years old.
“It’s really affected our family and a lot of our friends,” said Chambers. “This is kind of our way of giving back.”
For a $15 registration fee, racers received tickets to buy a beer or mead of their choice. Since the festival sponsored the event by purchasing all the beer, all payments went directly to the cause.
Chambers also organized fun, outdoor games centred on teamwork and local beer. To keep participants excited and their energy levels high, he planned many games on the spot.
“We decided to do some crazy, fun stuff outside in the winter because we’re Canadian and throw some beer and mead at it to see how much fun we could have,” said Chambers.
Activities included three-legged races, a scavenger hunt, and a soccer-ball-dunking relay. Between all the beer and physical exertion, everyone stayed warm despite freezing temperatures.
When the competitions were over and the dust — and snow — had settled, Chambers and team emerged as the real winners, raising $1,500 for type one research.