Young Manitouwadge Athlete’s Impressive Philanthropy

Written by admin on 22 April 2021

River (right) with her very proud mom Gina (left). Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com 2021

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Grade 7 student River Wheadon is an avid long-distance runner who, pre-covid, also loved competing in the sport through school both locally and in the district. With the challenges of staying healthy during the pandemic – including Manitouwadge schools once again closed to students who must instead work from home – River’s parents were thrilled when she found a way to enjoy her favourite sport among a community of others who love to run. (Keep reading to learn how you can be a virtual member of River’s team– without putting your running shoes on and without leaving your house).

River’s just warming up, May 1st she begins recording her daily kilometers run. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com 2021

The Million Reasons Run is a challenge organized by the SickKids® Foundation, May 1 – 31, 2021, where participants set their running and fundraising goals; “Run wherever and however you like.” explains www.millionreasons.run. Funds raised go to life-saving research happening at 13 Canadian children’s hospitals. “We may have our own reasons to run, but the health of every kid in Canada is the ultimate one.” explains the website.

River, 12 years old, has been preparing for this event for weeks. Part of her preparations has been with local Personal Trainer Cyndi Jackson, who, in light of the pandemic, coaches remotely when necessary and has provided creative ways for River to train while respecting COVID guidelines).

River has set an incredibly impressive goal of running 75km in May! Saturday, May 1^st will be the first day on which the kilometres she runs begin counting towards River’s 75km goal for the month.

If 75km in a month sounds like a lot that’s because it is; approximately 3km/day, five days a week, for the entire month! To put this distance in perspective, imagine River running it at once, beginning from town on Highway 614. By exiting town on our local highway, she’d run 54km before either turning East on Highway 17 to White Lake Provincial Park or turning West onto Highway 17 until Highway 627 (to Biigtigong) to reach her 75km goal! Instead of the highways, River will reach her running goal in May with laps around the track and countless trips up and down most of Manitouwadge’s streets.

In addition to her running goal River plans to fundraise $1500 during the Million Reasons Run Challenge, hoping her commitment to running a significant distance will inspire Manitouwadge residents to donate generously. To summarize Team River’s Goals are: running 75km + fundraising $1500 for 13 Childrens’ Hospitals across Canada, all during MAY 2021.

River takes an evening jog encouraged, with the snow melting, to be running on pavement again.

How can you be part of River’s team from home without putting on sneakers? Keep reading…

If you’d like to be a virtual member of Team River there are some easy ways to do so:

Visit River’s page to see updated total donations AND visit often from May 1 – 31, 2021 to see updated kilometers run!

Donate online: CLICK HERE to see River’s page on the MillionReasons.run website, where you can donate and see her progress (remember: she will only begin recording her run km on May 1st). Donations raised to date are already available on the page with messages from those who have given HOWEVER, River begins recording her kilometers run on May 1st.
Let River know you’re on her team by posting a sign in the window of your car or home or on your lawn. When River runs through town in May (towards that 75km goal), let’s reminded her Manitouwadge is cheering her on! (Print-ables – Sign1:RunRiverRun; Sign2: TeamRiver_I_donated or make your own)
When you see River running in May, on the street or at the track, make some noise to let her know Manitouwadge is cheering her on!

Bookmark River’s page on the millionreasons.run website (click here) to stay up to date on her progress through May, and keep reading OntarioNewsNorth.com for updates from River as well!

MORE INFO

The donations raised will help fund life-saving research at Canadian childrens’ hospitals. From rare diseases to everyday illnesses, research is the first essential step for every kid in Canada to be a healthier kid which is why your efforts – and every dollar raised – matter.