8th annual Caledon Pit Run raises $25,000 for CFES

Written By JULIA LLOYD

If you weren't running or walking in this year's 5km Caledon Pit Run, then you missed out on an event that puts a lot back into the local community. 

Last Saturday (July 6), roughly 100 people participated in the Caledon Pit 5km run/walk that raised $25,000 for Caledon's Fire and Emergency Services (CFES). The money will be used to help pay for a new training facility for volunteer firefighters. 

“The thing we were really thrilled about is, in the last three years, we created an obstacle course for kids. So this Saturday, we had close to 45 kids registered for the course, and that was really nice,” explained Mal Wensierski, land manager for Lafarge. 

Lafarge is Canada's largest provider of solutions to the construction and development industry. The company has been a member of the Caledon community since 2000. However, the Caledon Pit has been operated since early 1950s. 

This year was Lafarge's 8th year hosting the Caledon Pit 5k run/walk. The event's initial goal was to help educate the community on the topic of sand and gravel pit rehabilitation, and allow community members to be involved in an active pit. 

Last year, said Wensierski, the event was a big success with 100 runners and the beneficiary, Caledon Parent-child centre in Bolton, was able to receive $27,000. 

In 2012, the first year for the Caledon Pit Run, with help from sponsors, participants and volunteers, the Caledon Pit Run was able to raise $8,500 in support of Caledon Community Services (CCS) and building it's Food Exchange program in Bolton. 

“This year I saw at least five people with their strollers and that was nice because my husband always does the stroller with the run, so that was exciting. We want this to be a family friendly event,” said Wensierski. 

100 per cent of the proceeda raised through the event goes directly to the event's beneficiary, according to Wensierski. 

The money raised mainly comes from the event sponsors. This year, the Pit Run had 14 local sponsors. 

As well, money gathered through registration for the run and money raised through the silent auction also goes to the event's beneficiary.