News Release - Winnipeg Police Service

Monday, February 6, 2017     Kick-Off for the WPS Half Marathon, 2-Person Relay & 5K     Mayor Bowman, Chief Smyth and Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage Rochelle Squires join forces to help cancer patients outrun brain cancer     Mayor Brian Bowman, Chief Danny Smyth and Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage Rochelle Squires are kicking off the 13th annual Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon today by showing their support for brain cancer patients like police officer Connor Thomson.   While the May 7, 2017 race is still three months away, the leaders remind participants all monies raised for the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon, 2-person Relay and 5-K run will go to support brain cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society.     In partnership with the Society, all funds raised by participants will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a public-private partnership established by the Government of Canada. To date, this event has raised nearly $400,000 for brain research helping fund six research teams across Canada right now.   Brain Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among youth and young adults. It is one of the hardest forms of cancer to treat and has a survival rate of just 22%.   Thomson, a 31-year-old Winnipeg police officer, was diagnosed with a grade III brain tumour in 2011 and given approximately 10 years to live. But research and four surgeries in five years have extended his life expectancy to 14 years and given him hope.     Again this year, the race will start and finish inside Assiniboine Park, near the baseball diamonds. There will be a single wave start with the half marathon and 2-person relay commencing at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K starting at 8:10 a.m. The course remains open for four hours to allow runners, wheelchair athletes and walkers to participate. A course map can be accessed at www.wpshalfmarathon.ca.   Registration can be made in person or online at any Running Room location/website, at the Canadian Cancer Society office at 193 Sherbrook Street or through the event website at www.wpshalfmarathon.ca   Early bird registration is available until March 19th.  Registration for the half marathon is $84, the 2-person relay is $168 and the NEW 5k is $57.75. Free registration is available for those raising funds to fight cancer. For details visit the event website at www.wpshalfmarathon.ca   All runners receive a complimentary souvenir t-shirt, refreshments throughout the course, a pancake breakfast, entertainment after the race, a finisher medal and a surprise finisher's gift!   For more information on volunteering opportunities, visit our website at www.wpshalfmarathon.ca For further information contact either:  Constable Jason Michalyshen, Public Information Officer  Constable Rob Carver, Public Information Officer  Kelly Dehn, Manager of Public Affairs    Phone: (204) 986-3061 | Fax: (204) 986-3267 | Email: WPS-PIO@Winnipeg.ca Share this mailing with your social network by clicking on the appropriate link:       Related Winnipeg Police Service Report a Crime Online Crime Stoppers CrimeStat Unsubscribe If you do not want to receive these emails anymore, unsubscribe.    Please do not reply to this email. This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address and replies are not monitored. Mailing address: City of Winnipeg, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3B 1B9 Privacy Statement The City of Winnipeg values your privacy. We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties. You are receiving this email as a result of your signing up for the Winnipeg Police Service Email News list offered on the City of Winnipeg website. You may unsubscribe or change your subscription options at any time.