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(Adrian St.Onge/CHAT News)

‘It’s so heartwarming’: Marathon runners brave the elements to raise funds in second annual Cypress Sunset Scamper

Apr 7, 2024 | 8:20 PM

Marathon runners hit the pavement Saturday evening for a good cause.

The 2nd Annual Cypress Sunset Scamper took place in Dunmore, which saw runners brave the elements to raise money for HALO Air Ambulance.

Teacher Jocelyn Encines said that due to being in a rural community, most have been impacted by HALO’s presence.

“In our rural communities, each one of us had somebody that had been either rescued by HALO or we have, with our flight academy in our schools, [students] that are working with people that are from HALO,” Encines said.

“So for us it was an organization that we felt was very, very important to raise money for because we need this,” she said.

Over 120 runners ran the marathon, trying to set personal bests on either a three, five or ten kilometer track.

While the turnout was lower than last year, due in part to the poor weather and the timing of spring break, participant Lisa Dixon said that she saw more new faces as compared to last year, signalling a major success the community can champion

“I hope that they realize that we are supporting a really good cause because it’s needed in our community, especially with our unit” Dixon said.

“It’s just a fun event to come out to in the community, supporting local runs and meeting new people that are interested in the same activities,” she said.

“It’ll be nice for more of them to join us.”

HALO CEO Paul Carolan said that in a perfect world, HALO would not fly as often as they do, but that after thousands of flights and hundreds of thousands of lives impacted, the substantial community support isn’t surprising.

“It’s so heartwarming,” Carolan said.

“I mean it’s not surprising, you see it over and over and over again the community rallies when HALO’s the topic whether that’s keeping us in the air or whether that’s supporting us in events like today,” he said.

“We couldn’t possibly do this without the community.”

“We’ve said all along that we’re ‘by community, for community’ and that’s a fundamental part of who we are so I’m not surprised.”

“The weather isn’t the best but it’s incredible that people showed up and they’re here to support us.”

This article will be updated once the official tally for dollars raised is announced.