Brantford’s first ever mud run is fast approaching, and the War Horse Warrior Challenge promises mud, sweat, and tears.
On October 18th, the Canadian Cancer Society is hosting the inaugural War Horse Warrior Challenge, marking the first of its kind in the Brant-Norfolk County. The event’s website claims that “this isn’t your average charity run”, and they are not lying; this charity run includes a physically and mentally demanding outdoor obstacle course, which will take place through the horse pastures and woodlands surrounding the Southern Cross Equestrian Facility in Burford.
The run is an event for both adults and kids alike, providing a full 5 KM challenge course for adults, and a separate 1.5 KM course for children aged 8-13. “Our participant goal was 200, and we’ve already surpassed 150; we’re expecting to be over our original goal of 200,” said Vanessa Janzen,the organizer of the event.
While the run promises to be a ton of a fun, as well as a tough challenge, it is not just about the mud and obstacles; runners are raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society, which will go towards life-saving cancer research, health advocacy initiatives in Canada, and information and support services for cancer patients and their families.
Janzen, the organizer of the fundraiser explains, “the money at this event will stay local, and will help people locally within the Brant and Norfolk County.” More specifically, the funds raised at the event will help with a program called “Wheels of Hope”, which helps provide transportation to-and-from cancer treatments for cancer patients and their families.
Additionally, the money will help fund the cancer information hotline that the Canadian Cancer Society provides for people who have recently been diagnosed with cancer, as well as the peer-to-peer support system that the Canadian Cancer Society offers. “The peer-to-peer support system allows people who have been diagnosed with any form of cancer to be paired up with a past survivor of that cancer.” says Janzen,“We match people up with similar lifestyles; so a mom with three children will be paired up with another mother, in order to help the cancer patient relate to their life and find help to cope with their cancer.”
The War Horse, which is completely unique to the Brant-Norfolk County, has provided runners with a sneak preview of some of the obstacles they’ll be facing. The pictures can be found on the event’s Facebook page, including a massive mud slide, a tire wall, and many more interesting looking challenges.
Janzen said that while she can’t give away too much about the obstacles, the most unique one is called the “slippery slope”, and promises to be the muddiest of all. “I could tell you that it’s guaranteed mud, guaranteed strength challenges, and mental toughness,” explains Janzen, “it’s not a walk in the park. Trust me, I walked it, and it’s hard with no obstacles.”
“We’re really looking forward to it. The more we work on this event, the more we get excited for it and we know it’s going to be one to remember for a long time.”
