Ottawa, ON -- December 16, 2011 -- Emilie's Run returns to Ottawa on Saturday June 23, 2012. The event is proudly renamed Sports4 Emilie's Run, in recognition of Sports4's commitment to women's running and the Somersault Event Series. With the name change, the event sees the return of cash prizing for the top runners in the event.
"I am pleased that after only a one year hiatus from the cash prizing of the event, that Sports4 has come on board to lend its support to the event.", says Ken Parker, Honourary Race Director and co-founder of the event. "The cash will most certainly attract some of Canada's top female runners and bring attention to women's running in general".
Mr. Parker was the co-founder of the originally named RunnersWeb.com For Women Only Run. By starting up a women's only race, Ken hoped to encourage first time women runners to participate, and to provide an opportunity for competitive women to lead a race, set the pace, and be the overall race winners. It was Mr. Parker who through his own business, provided the cash prizes to the top women, but last year was the first year that the event was without the cash prizing
As part of the Somersault Event Series, the event still attracted over 625 women and children who ran, walked, and jogged the course at the Canadian Aviation & Space Museum.
Sports4 owner Jim MacFarlane sees the long term potential of a women's only event, but hopes to grow the event in year two and three of their involvement with Sports4 Emilie's Run. "In year one with Sports4's sponsorship of the event, we hope to attract top female runners from across the country, once again making it one of the fastest women's races in Canada. Years two and three are already in the works for expanding the event to make it a true celebration of running." says MacFarlane.
"While the return of the cash prizing to the event will indeed attract the fastest women in Canada to the event, the event is a 'celebration of women's running' and we invite women of all ages and stages to participate.", says Christine McKinty, Race Director for the event and partner in the Somersault Event Series.
Cash prize structure is as follows:
Individual First five overall - $1000 - $750 - $550 - $400 - $300
First Master 40 & over - $750
First Team --(5 Members) - $1000
The race is named after Emilie Mondor, the first Canadian women to run sub 15:00 for 5K and an Athens Olympian. She had moved to Ottawa to train for the marathon and was killed in a car accident in the fall of 2006 on her way home to Mascouche, Quebec for a high school reunion.
For more information go to Somersault.ca or contact Christine McKinty at christine@somersault.ca.
Dani Riendeau winning the 2011 Emilie's Run in 17:39 - Photo - Steve Bower
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