2020 EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual race option. *** The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU Run for Women is a 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run and Little Steps 1K taking place in 17 cities across Canada. The Unionville course starts and finishes at Markham Civic Centre on Warden Ave just north of HWY 7. …
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2020 EVENT CANCELED, offering virtual race option.
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The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU Run for Women is a 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run and Little Steps 1K taking place in 17 cities across Canada. The Unionville course starts and finishes at Markham Civic Centre on Warden Ave just north of HWY 7.
In Unionville, proceeds will enable Markham Stouffville Hospital to confront York Region’s mental health crisis with a program that addresses the unique obstacles that women in our increasingly diverse community face on the path to wellness.
Living with mental health challenges is hard but we can come together make a difference. The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU Run for Women has raised over $3.4 million dollars for local mental health services. Every dollar raised supports mothers, daughters, and friends through the funding of programs that allow women to take that next step to recovery.
The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU Run for Women is a celebration of the healing power of a loving community. We also celebrate the power of loving ourselves. Research shows that running and walking is as effective as taking medication for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. When we come together to walk or run with friends, we experience that exercise can heal the mind and restore the soul.
Our dream is for all Canadians to experience that healing feeling of exercise. By registering and fundraising, you can make a difference in your life and the lives of those in need.
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surprisingly amateurish production
Race kit pick-up was the slowest I've ever experienced. I was the second of only three people in line, and I estimate that it took the two organizers 5-7 minutes … MORE
Race kit pick-up was the slowest I’ve ever experienced. I was the second of only three people in line, and I estimate that it took the two organizers 5-7 minutes to assemble each kit. It was obvious that neither (grumpy) volunteer really knew what they were doing but there was no excuse as I went on the second day of kit pick-up!
This race is known for its well-stocked kits, but apparently not this time. There was a “meh” Authentic T-Shirt brand tech shirt, a small re-usable bag from the sponsor (a national drug store chain), a scratch pad and hand sanitizer… and that was it (see images).
Well, no mind, I thought, surely the race will be better. It wasn’t.
To get to the free parking before the road closed, you had to be there by 7:30, even though gun times were 8:45 for the 10k and 9:00 for the 5k and BOTH races started 15 minutes late!
There was no seeding – not even self-seeding – at the start line. Like the bulk of the crowd, I approached from the front of the start line and asked the first person at the timing mat, “What’s your goal time?” She shrugged and said, “I’m walking.” A few others beside her said they were walking as well, so I stayed put, right on the mat. I imagine that there was A LOT of weaving by faster folks behind me. I included a photo of the start line so you can see my position at left with the yellow hat. The people beside me, all the way to the right, are walkers. If you want to try to win a prize or PR at this race, be prepared to waste lots energy weaving!
The route ran through suburbia and the streets were closed only on one side. If you love running past cookie cutter homes built in the 80s and 90s while people in cars who live in those homes glare at you for blocking the roads, you will adore this race! Boring, boring, please kill me, boring, evil eye from driver, boring, boring, more boring.
Instead of a medal, we each got a cheap bracelet (see images). Post-race food was decent, and I won a hat from spinning a wheel at a vendor’s booth so that was okay, I guess. Panera Bread donated some yummy assorted bagels, and there were bananas, oranges, water, protein shakes, coffee, protein bars, chocolate bars and cookies.
That said, it’s probably a good first race, especially for women. For everyone else: you’re not missing anything.
(Note: no official race photographer. If you want pictures, remember to bring your camera.)