Hundreds hit Moonlight Beach for Colours of Hope 5K

In what had to be the most colourful race anywhere in Sudbury this year, a record number of participants hit Moonlight Beach on Saturday morning for the annual Colours of Hope 5K run.

Not only were the 700 participants running the trails in the midst of a colourful fall in Sudbury, but they were splashed with bright colours, culminating in a final group cloudburst of colour at the end of the race.
In all, 64 teams raised more than $46,000 for research at the Canadian Cancer Society. The event was so popular, organizers had to close registrations in case the course got too crowded.

Shanna Crispo, community fundraising specialist with the Canadian Cancer Society, said it was the most successful of the race's three-year history in Sudbury.

"Just an amazing turnout today,” Crispo said Saturday morning.

They had set a fundraising goal of $25,000, but were able to beat it relatively easily.

"We have surpassed our goal on this,” she said. “Sudbury is absolutely amazing. They're very hard working and they're very dedicated to this cause."

While it was sunny Saturday, the mercury was hovering around the freezing mark when the race began at 9 a.m. But that only added to the experience, Crispo said.

"The sun is shining the trees are gorgeous, the trail is gorgeous,” she said. “If you go out on the trail, there's leaves on the ground and you get that whole colourful experience. And you're being splashed with colour, too. That's why we like to do it in October, because of the fall and the colours."

Money raised through Colours of Hope will fund Canada's most promising cancer research and vital support services for cancer patients and their families.