FORESTERS FALLS — The first Git’Er Done Mud Run is this Saturday at Wilderness Tours – and it’s not too late to register.
The event is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society and is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $75 per participant.
A week ago, VIPs, sponsors and other were invited to the site to participate in a run-through, to make sure the six-kilometre 16-obstacle course is ready to go.
As of a week ago, there were 550 registered participants and people can register right up until it’s time to go, said Jessica Khouri, cancer society fundraising specialist.
Starting at Wilderness tours main pavilion, this race takes you through Horse Country, across the river, through the woods, over rugged terrain and asks you to climb, crawl, and run through the beautiful wilderness of the Ottawa Valley. Experience the best scenery of the Valley on the Git’Er Done Mud Run, she said.
Each of the 16 obstacles have names, such as Hay Pyramid, Bungee Bridge, Tube Crawl, Gladiator Grapple; Prison Break; Barrel of Monkeys; Foresters Falls; Mount Wilderness and more.
Prior to the start of the event, 19-year-old Jordan Davidson of Pembroke, the honourary cancer survivor and participant, spoke briefly about his cancer, his battle and the importance of supporting the Canadian Cancer Society. He recalled at 12 years old he had a brain tumour. He has been six-and-a-half years cancer free.
Dealing with cancer, living through it and surviving it, has given Jordan a different outlook on life.
“It allows me to share what I have gone through with others and what they are going to be entering in a dark cancer life,” he said.
Jordan fought the tumour with chemo and radiation. However, he said, even though the cancer treatment is done, and he’s in remission, life does not return to normal.
“The after-effects that come from treatment can also be hard to deal with,” he said. “Some people may not understand this.”
Jordan is glad this event has been organized to raise money for cancer research and bring awareness to what happens after treatment. People must remember once treatment is done, the fight is not over, he said.
“I have learned to take the punches as they come, can celebrate when they have run their course,” Jordan said.
For those participating in the event, he has some advice.
“If you see someone struggling in the mud, help them out, like the nurses and doctors and families who have helped us, help out our comrades,” Jordan said. “Because of what we’re doing here can end cancer where it stands. We can end this, with one dollar, with that one person who went to the last house to ask to donate money to beat cancer.
“Remember, this could be the last day we need to fight cancer.”
Ms. Khouri thanked everyone for coming out to participate in the test run.
“The money raised through this super-fun, super-awesome event, is going back into cancer research and back into our community,” she said.
Local sponsor Jamieson Tours is donating a $2,500 gift certificate for the person who raises the most money.
The volunteers have been working for about 2 years to put this run together, Ms. Khouri said.
“Thank you to my volunteers,” she said.
Committee chair Lisa Lance said two years ago she participated in a mud run and was encouraged by the local cancer society to host one.
“It was a little more to it putting it all together,” she said. “It’s been super exciting. It’s been a great journey and we’re happy to see this day come.”
For more information, go to the website www.giterdonemudrun.ca
