Princess Margaret Hospital wins with over $365,000 for prostate cancer research

Over 4,700 runners enjoyed the spring weather in the fifth annual Harry's Spring Run-Off to fight prostate cancer on April 3, 2010 in Toronto's High Park. A record $365,000 was raised for the Princess Margaret Hospital's Prostate Centre. (CNW Group/Harry Rosen Inc.) Photo by Marc Rochette

TORONTO-April 3 /CNW/- Dressed in everything from suits and ties to shorts and tanks, over 4,700 people enjoyed the record-breaking spring weather in the fifth annual Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8K & 5K to fight prostate cancer, presented by HSBC Canada. The resulting $365,000 raised from the event will be used to continue groundbreaking research being done at Princess Margaret Hospital’s internationally recognized Prostate Centre.,

“We are so thankful to all the runners, walkers and donors who participated today and we accept this gift with great appreciation,” stated Paul Alofs, CEO and President of Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, as he accepted the cheque on behalf of the Princess Margaret Hospital. “Harry’s Spring Run-Off has been a  wonderful vehicle, not only for much-needed fundraising that allows us to continue with our research for a cure, but also in raising the profile of this disease.”

Also helping to raise awareness for prostate cancer at this year’s Run was the recently-diagnosed Leader of Jack Layton, who completed the 5K walk with his wife Olivia Chow and a team of supporters. Several prostate cancer survivors have made this Run a staple on their annual calendar including emcee Mark Dailey from CityTV who has been involved since 2006. Other notable participants this year included Toronto mayoral candidate George Smitherman and Dragon’s Den star Robert Herjavec. 

“I’m thrilled with how much this Run has grown in five years,” said Larry Rosen, CEO & Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc., who led Harry Rosen’s team of 40 associates in the event. “We’re proud to have raised well over $1.6 million in Toronto since the Run began in 2006. I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all the dedicated survivors, participants, volunteers, sponsors and fundraisers who helped make today’s sold-out Harry’s Spring Run-Off the best yet.”

The 8K competitive run, one of Toronto’s earliest and most celebrated Runs, had participation from many elite
level athletes including Olympians Eric Gillis and Taylor Milne. Gillis, of Guelph – who participated in the 10,000 metre event in Beijing – took first place with a time of 23:58. Luci Njeri of Kenya was the first female finisher for the third year in a row, with a time of 27.42. Thousands more participated in the 5K walk and run. The annual  award for “Best Dressed Runner” saw great competition this year with several individuals or teams competing for Harry Rosen gift cards based on their outrageous running costumes. Andrew Crerar won for his creative get-up of a ‘half-off’ suit – half suit and half running gear. Honorable mention went to Team Bananas – a group of 10 men dressed in bright yellow banana costumes. Corporate teams also competed for fastest time and most money raised with the top three fundraising team prizes going to Team Globe, Blue Crew and Team Layton. Age category prizing and individual fundraising incentive prizing will be distributed in the coming weeks. More information about the event can be found at www.canadarunningseries.com/springrunoff.

In addition to title sponsor, Harry Rosen Inc., funding for the event was generously provided by fifth-time presenting sponsor HSBC Bank Canada; key sponsors Coppley Apparel Group and New Balance Toronto; and media sponsors The Globe and Mail and CBS Outdoor.

 Links above provided courtesy of www.OntarioNewsNorth.com
Northwestern Ontario’s ONLY 24/7 News Source!

About The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and the enhancement of compassionate patient care at one of the world’s leading cancer research hospitals, Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute. For more information, please visit www.pmhf.ca. University Health Network consists of Princess Margaret, Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, and is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

About Harry Rosen Inc.

Harry Rosen Inc., Canada’s leading quality men’s wear retailer, is celebrating its 56th year in business in 2010. Founded in 1954 by the man whose name the chain still bears, Harry Rosen Inc. has grown from a single 500-square-foot store in Toronto to become a powerhouse in Canadian retailing with 14 stores across the country and an ecommerce business at www.harryrosen.com, accounting for 40 percent of the Canadian market in high-end men’s wear. Harry Rosen stores offer extensive collections of the world’s finest men’s wear labels including Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Armani Collezioni, Brioni, Canali, Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace, Hugo Boss, Prada, Cole Haan, Salvatore Ferragamo, Loro Piana and J.P. Tilford by Samuelsohn.

April 3, 2010, 4,700 runners take off from Toronto's High Park enjoying beautiful weather in the fifth annual Harry's Spring Run-Off to fight prostate cancer. Photo by Marc Rochette CdnNewsWire