Run for Recovery a Success in Raising Awareness of Youth Substance Abuse in District

The first Run For Recovery, hosted in partnership by the Parents Against Illicit Narcotics and the Borderland Bicycle club to promote the awareness of youth substance abuse issues and the need for youth treatment services, was a great success on Sunday.

"We're really pleased with the turnout," says Jeff Tilbury, lead organizer. "We had 25 participants, with runners doing a 7 km loop and hikers a 3.5 km loop around the Hopkins Bay Multi-Use Trail behind the great Bear. It was nippy and a little breezy but everyone had fun."

Local marathon runner Lorn Ricard finished first with an overall time of 34:42, just 16 seconds ahead of Atikokan runner Victoria Alexander at 34:58. Rounding out the top three was Britton Green with a time of 37:32. Full results and pictures can be found at the Borderland Bicycle Club website at http://borderlandbicycleclub.googlepages.com/.

"It's a challenging trail, with lots of up and down sections, and lots of obstacles that people had to watch for and overcome," explains Tilbury. "It's a lot like the challenges we face in life, and the real problems faced by youth suffering from substance abuse in the district."

Runners and hikers enjoyed recovery food and hot chocolate donated by Pharmasave, Substance Abuse Prevention, Northwestern Health Unit Harm Reduction Program, and the Borderland Bicycle Club. Several draw prizes and two $20 gift certificates from Skates & Blades were given out after the race and all those who stuck around went home with a little something.

Parents Against Illicit Narcotics and the Borderland Bicycle Club want to thank all who attended and volunteered at the event, as well as the following groups and businesses for their support: Riverside Community Counselling Services, Substance Abuse Prevention, Pharmasave, Skates & Blades, The Great Bear, Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition, Northwestern Health Unit Harm Reduction Program, Road ID, Fort Frances Times, West End Weekly, Atikokan Progress, Rainy River Record, and B93.