Run for Vaughan hitting its stride
Yorkregion.com
Sept. 28, 2015
By Michael Hayakawa
An enthusiastic group of runners took a run or a leisurely stroll through Canada’s Wonderland early Sunday morning.
Not just to get some exercise, or to see what the amusement park had to offer.
They also did their part to assist in a worthy cause through their participation in the 11th annual Run for Vaughan.
Participants hit the road on the pathways, snaking around Canada’s Wonderland taking part in either the 10K, 5K or a 1K Family Fun Run. And in doing so, raised funds through pledges for the Mackenzie Health Foundation’s Vaughan Hospital.
Event director Asif Kahn said the fundraising event organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to grow in popularity as close to 1,000 people took part Sunday.
Sunday's balmy weather also resulted in several last-minute registrations.
“In our first year, we had around 200 people take part and it was held on our mosque property near Jane and Teston Road,” Kahn recalled. “This year marks our fourth consecutive year in which we’ve partnered with Canada’s Wonderland and to hit over 1,000 participants is our highest turnout to date.”
The idea to launch the Run for Vaughan stemmed from an idea that just came up one day while driving with his brother and then forwarding it to the Ahmadiyya Muslin Community, who in turn were in full approval, Kahn said.
Their goal from this year’s event was to raise over $80,000 to assist in the construction of a new hospital, located nearby Canada’s Wonderland.
To date, Kahn estimated they’ve raised close to $500,000.
“The City of Vaughan has talked about building a new hospital and we (Ahmadiyya Muslim Community) jumped on it to help in fundraising for the hospital,” he said.
“Since day one, we’ve contributed towards the hospital construction from our run.”
Long-time participants like 40-year-old Vaughan resident Joe Collura, is elated to see funds raised from the event will be funnelled into health care for Vaughan.
A participant in the event since the first one was held, he was quick to add this was long overdue.
Also being employed in the corporate sector, Collura hopes other local corporations will become aware of this endeavour and step up to assist in this worthwhile project.
“I’m a resident of Vaughan and my wife is in the health care profession and I want to see our city (City of Vaughan) grow,” he said. “Not having a hospital here in the City of Vaughan is a missing piece and I’m inspired by grassroots of fundraising and I want to do my part.
“I’ve been a corporate chair for various banks and am presently with Meridian Credit Union and from that perspective we need corporate dollars to help. That’s important.”
Growing up in Vaughan, but currently residing in New York City where he’s doing medical residency, Azaz Awan, 28, returned to visit his parents and found the time to run in his fifth Run for Vaughan.
Participating in the 5K event, Awan was quick to point out a hospital in the City of Vaughan is urgently needed as he noted the nearest medical facility for local residents is in neighbouring Richmond Hill.
“This is a good cause and I expect to contribute to the hospital. In the past, we had to go to Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill. To have one built here (near Canada’s Wonderland) is a lot closer for people to go to,” he said.
Vaughan resident Taqi Malik, 26, agreed with Awan.
“We’ve needed a hospital here for some time and to run in this event, it’s for a good cause,” said Malik, who took part for the first time in the 5K race.
City of Vaughan Ward One councillor Marilyn Iafrate, applauded the event and participants.
“Members of the community contribute so much for the City of Vaughan,” she said. “The Run for Vaughan has raised over $400,000 for the hospital and this doesn’t happen without participants who run or walk. This would not have been possible.”
Ingrid Perry, Mackenzie Health Foundation president and chief executive officer, said they hope to award the contract for the construction of the new hospital by early next year and target completion by 2019.
Presenting a cheque for $10,000 on behalf of the Mayor’s Gala, City of Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua also praised the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in conducting a charity event for a worthy cause.
“Positive people achieve positive ends. This will be a first-class health facility,” he said.
In crediting the event’s success, Kahn was quick to praise the support he’s received from sponsors and close to 80 volunteers who lend their time in helping out in various capacities including race marshals, operating water stations, registrations and in laying out the course overnight, which they began at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and had it set up by early Sunday at 1 a.m.
“It’s hard work, but we’ve gotten used to it,” said Khalid Rasool, who oversees the volunteer staff. “When we first did it at Wonderland, we were there almost all night. But now we’ve got the course down pat.”
As for the event’s future, Kahn remained confident it will continue to gather momentum as plans for a new hospital continue to evolve.
