Runners from across the world coming for DQM

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

Runners from across the world will be converging in Oshawa on July 22, and while many of them will be from different countries, they’ll all be here to support one cause.

For the 12^th year, The Refuge will be organizing the Durham Quarter Marathon in order to help raise funds for their efforts to provide services and programs to homeless and hungry youth out of their Court Street location in Oshawa.

“It’s one of our main fundraising avenues,” says Genevieve Brydson, the director of development with The Refuge. “This is a really important one for us.”

Every year, The Refuge serves about 500 kids in the Oshawa area, helping them to find housing, employment, and providing hot meals twice a day along with a myriad of other services. All of the funds raised during the quarter marathon help support the continuation of these programs for youth in need.

And while people are able to sign up right until race day, online registration will be available until July 19 at www.thedqm.ca. Participants can also register in person on July 20 at the Running Room in Whitby, or on July 21 at the Oshawa Popeye’s Supplements location.

Last year, Brydson says the event saw approximately 700 runners take part in 2016, and this year they’re already nearing the 450 person mark with registrations coming in from as far away as Mexico, Quebec and Saskatchewan.  She anticipates the numbers to keep climbing.

“We kind of follow our trends each year and our trends indicate we should be higher than that this year,” she says, comparing the numbers so far to those seen last year.  “It’s a really great event, we have people coming from all over the world.”

The family friendly event is open to all-ages, and also includes a Kids Scamper at Lakefront Park West for the younger runners.

The Refuge is also looking for volunteers to help out on race day. Further information can be found online at www.thedqm.ca or at www.refugeoutreach.com.