Advertisement

Imagine Combines Run with Family Fun

Share:

This year’s Imagine Run took place on September 26 and was a big success, according to organizer and co-founder Mona Stott. The annual event, which includes both a walk and a run component, raises awareness about the importance of mental health and confronts the stigma head-on.

“This is the second year of changing out the format from the early morning,” says Stott. “For the avid competitive runner who likes to do the morning run, this was a huge adjustment for them. But right from the get-go, as much as we were putting on an event for using the run as a venue or a vehicle to attract people, our goal was to have a family event, to attract families to come out and enjoy food and camaraderie.” 

At Hespeler Park after the main run-walk, food was provided by the Crystal Springs Hutterite colony, and John Falk organized a diverse line-up of family-friendly entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening.

Not everything quite went according to plan. Because of the unusually high winds, Stott says they weren’t able to launch Chinese lanterns as planned. The movie in the park also had to be cancelled when the inflatable screen could not stand up to the elements.

“We had 85 kilometre-per-hour winds, but it could have been rain, it could have been snow,” Stott says. “It was a warm, embracing wind, and we ran with it. Pardon the pun! It was an amazing day.” 

Just shy of 700 runners participated in the run-walk, which is slightly down from previous years. Stott attributes this to not offering the half-marathon. The number of people who showed up at Hespeler Park, however, far exceeded expectations. 

“That has grown immensely,” said Stott of the evening festivities. “We even had seniors here this year, and I’m sure the weather had something to do with it. Which was nice to see. We’ve had people say, ‘I just love that it’s in the evening. We get to do stuff. Even if we can’t make the walk, we can come for the evening.’ We’re learning and trying to make it so people want to get on board and support such a good cause.”

Though the run takes place just once per year, Stott is eager for opportunities to keep people talking about mental health all year long. This holiday season, she and her team of volunteers will be holding a Christmas raffle. Next year’s Imagine Run is already scheduled for Saturday, September 24.

“We’re trying to have a presence throughout the year,” Stott adds. “But again, these are all volunteers and it gets a little exhausting. So we need people coming on board.”

If you’d like to volunteer for next year’s run or get involved with the planning committee, Stott encourages you to visit the Imagine Run website and get in contact with her. She also encourages people who came this year to send in any pictures they took.

“Staying in the dark and being silent, we don’t make progress, and 8 years ago I said enough,” Stott finishes. “I have lived with this all my life, with my mother, with my husband… I wasn’t staying silent anymore. I wanted to get the message out, and someone needed to take the lid off Pandora’s box, and I hope it never gets shut again.”

For more information

www.imaginementalhealth.com

Advertisement
More ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Niverville Composer Shortlisted for Film Score Contest

Niverville musician Evan St. Cyr is a finalist in the Cue Tube “Score Relief” contest for creating an original musical score for short film. The annual online contest gives up-and-coming...

Read more

Niverville musician Evan St. Cyr is a finalist in the Cue Tube “Score Relief” contest for creating an original musical score for short film. The annual online contest gives up-and-coming...

Read more

Celebrating Nature: Local Artist Brings World to Life on Canvas

Local artist Melissa Jean was born right here in southeastern Manitoba, but her work is currently on display in galleries across Canada, not to mention hanging in the homes of art lovers around the...

Read more

Local artist Melissa Jean was born right here in southeastern Manitoba, but her work is currently on display in galleries across Canada, not to mention hanging in the homes of art lovers around the...

Read more
Advertisement

Local Artist Lights Up the Fairmont as New Artist in Residence

Local artist Dawn Schmidt is the new featured artist at the Fairmont Winnipeg. Although primarily a landscape painter, Schmidt’s collection for the Fairmont blends a bold, vibrant colour palette...

Read more

Local artist Dawn Schmidt is the new featured artist at the Fairmont Winnipeg. Although primarily a landscape painter, Schmidt’s collection for the Fairmont blends a bold, vibrant colour palette...

Read more

Pet-Child Bond Inspires Children’s Book

Allison Antonio has spent her whole life telling stories, but it wasn’t until the birth of her son that she decided to actually write a story down and have it published. Antonio was born and...

Read more

Allison Antonio has spent her whole life telling stories, but it wasn’t until the birth of her son that she decided to actually write a story down and have it published. Antonio was born and...

Read more
Advertisement

Local Artist Exhibits New Collection

Since mid-December, Niverville-based artist Daniel Dueck has been presenting an exhibit of 70 new paintings at The Public Brewhouse in Steinbach. Entitled “New York to Niverville—New...

Read more

Since mid-December, Niverville-based artist Daniel Dueck has been presenting an exhibit of 70 new paintings at The Public Brewhouse in Steinbach. Entitled “New York to Niverville—New...

Read more

Mennonite-Based Sitcom to Debut in New Year

There’s a brand-new TV sitcom ready to hit the air in early January—and it’s one that should hit close to home for Mennonites and Filipinos alike in southeastern Manitoba. The pilot...

Read more

There’s a brand-new TV sitcom ready to hit the air in early January—and it’s one that should hit close to home for Mennonites and Filipinos alike in southeastern Manitoba. The pilot...

Read more
Advertisement

Local Artist Behind New Steel Art Installation

A Niverville artist is behind the new art installation at a prominent property on Pembina Highway in Winnipeg. The massive stainless steel piece at The Halo was designed and built by Darren...

Read more

A Niverville artist is behind the new art installation at a prominent property on Pembina Highway in Winnipeg. The massive stainless steel piece at The Halo was designed and built by Darren...

Read more

Local Music Acts to Throw New Year’s Bash

A group of organizers and musicians are hard at work to give locals a new way to bring in the new year. On December 31, the Heritage Centre’s main ballroom will play host to an all-out rock and...

Read more

A group of organizers and musicians are hard at work to give locals a new way to bring in the new year. On December 31, the Heritage Centre’s main ballroom will play host to an all-out rock and...

Read more
Time until next issue
Citizen Poll

Is it prudent for Niverville’s council to encourage a broad shift to municipal water as soon as the government grants become available?

For related article, see https://nivervillecitizen.com/...