As many as 200 runners will be lacing up their shoes on Sunday in an effort to stop the problem of family violence in Airdrie.

The Legacy Endurance "Run To End Family Violence" starts at 9:00 am at Genesis Place with the half marathon.  The 10K will start at 9:10, followed by the 5K at 9:20.  

Laurie Jacobs-Toews of Community Links, one of the race beneficiaries along with Airdrie and District Victims Assistance says the race registration has exceeded their expectations.

"We actually have 175 registered runners as of Monday.  Our goal was about 100 or 120 in our first year so we're extremely excited about how many people we have coming out to support the run.  We will have a cap at 200 for people to recieve t-shirts and things because we just can't order anymore.  We will take some walk ups, but we're really encouraging people to register in advance."

Jacobs-Toews thinks the runners will be a good mix of more serious runners and recreational runners.  About 40 are registered for the half marathon.  

"Part of the reason we chose the timing of the run is a lot of runners are training for the Calgary Marathon which is six weeks after our event.  Having a half marathon as a training run six weeks prior to the marathon is good planning.  We're excited just to have a good mix of people and really it's about raising awareness for family violence prevetion."

The 5K race is in memory of Andrea Conroy who died in a family violence incident in Airdrie in 2012.  "We will have some of Andrea's friends and family with us.  We have some of her friends on the committee with us.  They'll be bringing a plaque and some information on Andrea just so people have that connection and remember why they're there."

The race organizers are still in need of some more volunteers for the event,  If you're interested you can go to leagcyendurance.com.  Jacobs-Toews also says anyone who would like to help out by sponsoring the race can still do so.  

 

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