SUDBURY ROCKS!! RUNNING CLUB

SudburyRocks!!!

10 Years of Memories

2005 Our Trial Year The Sudbury Rocks Running Club and the Canadian Diabetes Association entered into a partnership in 2004, working together jointly to create the Sun Run for Diabetes in 2005. Held at Lilly Creek the event drew over 400 participants. Since then, the two groups have maintained a close relationship, expanding the Sun Run for Diabetes in 2006 into the SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes, Northern Ontario’s largest competitive running event.	2005 5k runners on York St. hill
2006 Our First Year First official event held in 2006 at Science North with about 1000 participants. There were four separate events: the FREE 1K for the Kids, the 5K, 10K, 1/2 and Full Marathon which is a Boston Qualifier. We even made room for a wheel chair participant, Mina Mettinen, in the 5k. $40000 was raised for CDA	2006 Mina Mettinen lines up for the 5k
2007 saw us introduce 2 new things. The changes were our first expo and pasta dinner at the Radisson and a new age graded marathon that leveled the running field as the older groups started first depending on an age based calculation. We also changed venues from Science North to downtown with our new run headquarters at the YMCA and the start/finish line on Durham St. Heightened participation dictated location shift.	2007 Joseph Nderitu from Hamilton on his way to winning the first age graded marathon
In 2008 the 5k experienced biggest growth pretty much doubling any other year. Donations exceeded $50000. We introduced the Celebrity Challenge this year. It was comprised of media and some business execs competing for their name on the Nickel Trophy. Randy Pascall (Eastlink Sports) was the first winner.	2008 Eastlink's Randy Pascall in the first Celebrity Challenge
In 2009 we stated "Our vision has been accomplished". The goal was to bring fitness through running to the community by putting an event on the roads in front of everybody. We had met our most optimistic forecast in 2009 when 1500+ runners hit the roads. We also introduced the 8 person marathon relay with 12 teams competing. Our FREE Kids 1km exceeded 200 and every young one got a finishing medal.	2009 Free Kids 1k keeps getting bigger
2010 saw us grow to over 1800 participants. The 5k had grown to nearly 700 sign ups. The marathon relay swelled to 14 teams. Our Manitoulin Rocks!! member, Greg Bond volunteered to pace visually challenged Mike Ovens to a well deserved finish.	2010 Visually impaired athlete Mike Ovens paced by Rocks!! member Greg Bond
In 2011 mascots joined the kids on their 1k run. Registration neared 2000 and participants attributed their involvement equally to fitness and the cause, raising awareness and funds for diabetes research.	2011 Mascots in Free Kids 1k
2012 saw more than 2,000 people take part in the Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes, held in downtown Sudbury May 13. Laurel Myers writes: "Quite a few of the people to whom I spoke during the race had somehow been affected by diabetes, and that's why they were participating. They were running in memory of a lost loved one, or as a way to take action against the disease continuing to run its course through their families." In 2012 we also moved the event to Mother Day. Risky? Yes. But it worked out fine. We have celebrated Mothers since then providing all ladies crossing the finish line with a fresh carnation and a warm thank you.	2012 Moms and young ones celebrating their special day
2013 Mother Nature was not about to make it easy for those entering the Sudbury Rocks Race, Walk, Run for Diabetes. Participants braved the elements (snow, rain and wind). Running his first ever marathon, Cambrian male athlete of the year Eric Leishman crossed the line first, posting a time of 2:50.04, leading a group of 40 brave souls who covered the 26.2 mile course in far less than ideal conditions.	2013 Rain, wind and snow did not diminish the enthusiasm
2014 New for this year, we moved the event onto Minto street adjacent to the courtyard at Tom Davies Square. We had again outgrown the venue at the YMCA and the start/finish line on Durham St. The feedback has been entirely positive and we are delighted with the big changes we made to the event this year. Also this year 2000 participants and sponsors came together to raise almost $70,000. Over the last 9 years SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run, or Walk for Diabetes has raised over $445,000 for research, support, advocacy and valuable services for people living with diabetes.	2014 5k Mass Start

2015

2015 will be our 10th anniversary and we are very excited to call ourselves The SudburyRocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes presented by Ionic Engineering. For the first time we have a presenting sponsor. Our very first run director, Steve Matusch, has brought his company on to fill that role.
We already have new race banners, there will be new specific 10th anniversary medals, special dri fit tees for all participants plus we hope to be able to give all entrants a special little gift to say thank you for a great 10 years. Of course Moms will get a fresh carnation for their enthusiastic support of our event.
On May 10, 2015 in our 10th anniversary, the SudburyRocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes presented by Ionic Engineering will continue to take strides and once again unite in the fight to find a cure for diabetes.

Wednesday March 11, 2015

CBC radio interview
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Sudbury Rocks celebrating its 10th year
Steve Matusch and Brent Walker.JPG Sudbury Rocks, an annual running race that raises money for diabetes research, is now in it's 10th year. We spoke with Steve Matusch, the first race director of the event, and Brent Walker, the current race director, about the history of the race and this year's event. Listen audio (runs 8:04)

Photo: Steve Matusch(left) and Brent Walker(right)

http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com/