麻豆社区

The annual summer solstice run and walk is always a large draw in the community.

This year the attendance reached more than 125 people, as the event was also hosted as a fund-raiser for Aidan Love.

Rain fell briefly as the participants waited at the start line, just past the upper parking lot of Grey Mountain Road, but the conditions improved once the group began to make their way up the mountain.

The weather was perfect at the top of the mountain, with no rain or wind.

There were three checkpoints along the way with runners and walkers able to participate in 2.5-kilometre, 5-km, and 10.4-km distances, sponsored by Intersport.

Ben Yu Schott, board member with Athletics Yukon, said the decision to host the fund-raiser during the summer solstice run came naturally.

"Bonnie's (Aidan's mother, Bonnie Love) a really important part of Athletics Yukon and a big contributor to it so we wanted to do something as a group to show our support,鈥� he said.

"We knew we wanted to do a fund-raiser and this event works really well for it.鈥�

Aidan was paralyzed in a skiing incident in Whistler, B.C., this February.

He recently returned to Whitehorse, after spending the last several months rehabilitating at the GF Strong facility in Vancouver, and said he's been blown away by the community's support.

"It's been incredible how the community has supported me through this,鈥� he said.

"Nowhere else in the world would you get this kind of support.鈥�

Aside from Tuesday night's event, the community has also responded through a 鈥�80s dance held at the curling rink at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre and earlier this month Porter Creek Secondary School, Aidan's alma mater, hosted a street hockey tournament to raise funds towards purchasing a sports wheelchair for Aidan.

The school set their fund-raising goal at $3,000 dollars, but before the first ball dropped, they had already exceeded that figure.

"I didn't expect any of it,鈥� said Aidan. "It's been incredible, it really has.鈥�

Aidan took in the event beside the barbecue, alongside friends and family, helping distribute food to the participants and enjoying the opportunity to be back home.

"His friends were there the minute the car pulled into the driveway,鈥� said Bonnie.

"The community's just been totally amazing. I never would have dreamed that this is what it would become.鈥�

Logan Roots was the top runner of the night, finishing the 10.4-km distance in 43 minutes and 31 seconds.

He was trailed by Logan Boehmer and Ian Parker.

Lauren Whyte was the top female runner in the longer distance, putting in a time of 55:51.

Kelsey Bragg and Holly Parsons rounded out the top three.

Five walkers, Ruth Hall, Jane Haydock, Susan Dennehy, Maggie Griffiths and Rhonda Markel, each completed the 10.4-km distance in 1 hour, 39 minutes and 44 seconds.

Sam Lindsey led the 5-km runners with a time of 15:54 while Anakin Gibson was the fastest 2.5-km runner completing the course in just under 15 minutes.

All proceeds from the event were donated to the Love family, Athletics Yukon members paid $2 to participate while non-members contributed $4. The barbeque and beverages were also by donation.

"That's the great thing about Whitehorse,鈥� said Yu Schott.

"People come out and support important events like this.鈥�

Aidan said he's glad to be home and feels ready to adapt to his new life.

"It's definitely a huge transition,鈥� he said.

"Rehab at GF Strong is one thing but it's a whole new ball game now. It's definitely nice to be back home.鈥�

Summer Solstice run and walk results:

10.4-km male:

Logan Roots: 43:31

Logan Boehmer: 48:22

Ian Parker: 49:47

Tom Ullyett: 50:34

Thomas Tetz: 52:27

10.4-km female:

Lauren Whyte: 55:51

Kelsey Bragg: 1:03:05

Holly Parsons: 1:05:49

Markie May: 1:09:32

Bailey Henderson: 1:10:46

10.4-km walkers:

Ruth Hall: 1:39:44

Jane Haydock: 1:39:44

Susan Dennehy: 1:39:44

Maggie Griffiths: 1:39:44

Rhonda Markel: 1:39:44