The weather was just perfect on the morning of Saturday, July 29 for the fifth year of La Baie Run. The annual event in L’Orignal is a fundraiser for the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) Foundation.
According to Patrick Lalonde, one of the main organizers of the run, 500 people registered and about $20,000 had been raised as of Saturday morning.
“The turnout was great!” Lalonde said.
Lamine Aitali was the first to complete the 21.1-kilometre half-marathon. His time was one hour, 21 minutes, and 41 seconds.
The runner who finished the 10-kilometre run first was Christophe Simon. It took him 38 minutes and 24 seconds to complete the course.
Jason Lacombe finished first in the five-kilometre race with a time of 18 minutes and 12 seconds.
In the one-kilometre run, 12-year-old Liv Lacombe finished first with a time of three minutes and 32 seconds.
HGH Foundation Executive Director Erin Tabakman said all proceeds from La Baie Run will go to the foundation’s “There’s no place like home” campaign. The intent of the campaign is to purchase equipment for existing services HGH offers which have long wait lists, or to expand services. As an example, Tabakman said the foundation will be covering the entire cost of a new $800,000 3D mammogram machine for HGH which will replace the current 2D machine which is near the end of its service life. Tabakman said the run is a significant part of the HGH Foundation’s fundraising revenue.
“This is a huge event for us,” she said.
Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel was at L’Orignal Park on Saturday morning.
“It’s a great event for a great cause,” he remarked.
As for participants, they were warming up before leaving from the starting line.
“We’re as ready as can be!” said Pascal Decoeur of Alexandria, who was taking part in the run with his daughter Elizabeth.
La Baie Run photos by James Morgan
