Just to be clear, there is no race distance I hate as much as the 5k.
But I noticed a ad a few weeks ago for the Holly Jolly Fun Run – a brand new race that’s a fundraiser for The Toronto Santa Clause Parade. I had no idea that the parade was a not-for-profit that doesn’t receive any public money at all. I kinda knew it started from Eaton’s or something like that but I thought surely by now it’s funding was secure – this year is it’s 109th year after all! But it doesn’t. It runs on volunteers and sponsorships. So this year it decided to introduce a run to raise money. I signed up; I mean, how often do you get to run in the first year of something? And with people lining the whole route!
And then it hit me. Well, it hit me at about 3 am a couple of days ago.
ALL THOSE PEOPLE LINING THE ROUTE
Do you know HOW many people line the route at the Toronto Santa Clause Parade? It was bad enough when I thought it was 1000s. Then I checked. 500,000.
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
There are only 2000 spots in the race. I am not fast. I hate 5 ks. But I was lured by the promise of exclusive hat and mitts.
So I concluded, at about 3:45 am, that if I was gonna do it then I was gonna do it big.
I posted the following on facebook:
“Comment below if you commit to donate at least $5 to the Santa Claus Parade (link in comments) – it’s a not for profit organization that runs on volunteers and sponsors. The more people who donate, the more I will dress up. So if I raise $100 I’ll wear my running tights AND my green sparkly skirt (with the rest being my normal running stuff). If I raise $250 I’ll add jingle bells to my water belt and face paint. $500 and I’ll find light up reindeer antlers, you get the idea. All I ask is that (a) you honour your commitment to make the donation and (b) _consider_ doubling the commitment if I run a PR (run my fastest 5k ever) – if I don’t run a PR I’ll match donations (up to a max of $250.)”
Here’s the link to donate: donate here.
Let me know (here or on facebook) if you’re going to contribute. I’ll add you to the total. And I promise loads and loads of pictures. Taken before and after the race ’cause I really want you guys to have to really think about whether you can double your donation 🙂