Michael Brodie is already in the lead in his first ever 5k run race

Like so many others who take up running, Michael too took up the sport as a way “to get more fit” and when he heard of the upcoming Thanksgiving Day Races, he decided that the timing was right for him to get out and give it a try.

And when Michael learned that the Races were helping to support Guelph General Hospital he decided to fundraise as well. He said “it doesn’t take much to send out a few emails and do a few posts on social media” and in doing just that, he has propelled himself into the top fundraiser position.

“It’s the local hospital, so it’s a good cause to support” said Michael who has, on two occasions, experienced first-hand the importance of quality healthcare at his community hospital.

When Michael’s son was 18 months old, he was experiencing some respiratory issues that kept him in the Hospital for an entire week. Michael and his wife camped out at the hospital with their son 24-7. “You get to know the nurses and other hospital staff quite well when you spend that much time at the hospital and I really appreciated the level of care from them all” said Michael as he reflected on that experience.

More recently one of his good friends spent weeks at Guelph General due to a cardiac event. Michael visited daily and once again witnessed the exceptional care provided by the GGH healthcare team.

“So why wouldn’t I fundraise” Michael thought to himself when he registered for his race.

Top fundraiser isn’t the only goal he is reaching for at this year’s races. While he has run 5k many times on his own, and even ran 7k as part of this year’s Terry Fox run, he is now “trying to increase his speed” and is hoping to achieve a personal best.

Michael’s son, now three and a half, also loves to run. Michael plans to bring him along to run in the 100m kids fun run.

The Thanksgiving Day Races have been a Guelph tradition since 1894 and take place every Thanksgiving Day Monday around Exhibition Park. It’s an event for all ages with entire families participating across the many events including the 1-mile, the 3k, the CJOY Magic 106.1 “3-in-1”, and the Metalumen 5k. There is also the 1k youth run and a 100m kids fun run.

The Thanksgiving Day Races are now organized by the Guelph Victors who in 2012 adopted Guelph General Hospital as an event beneficiary. “With the help of our sponsors (Metalumen, CJOY, Magic 106.1, David Parr Worldsource Securities, CIBC, Intrigue Media, Sutcliffe Kitchens, Linamar, Emil Smolders, Running Works, Mettrum Originals, Hitchhiker Lemonade Company, Nestle Waters Canada, Karen Lamb, and Thomas Black Massage Therapy), this year is promising to be one of the most successful in its fundraising history” said Suzanne Bone, CEO of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital.

Full race-day details and registration is available through the Guelph Victors website.