| i i \ September 20, 2024 Stratford Times The Local Community Food Centre - Stratford 5K AMANDA MO) Times Contributor For the third year, the Stratford SK Run/ Walk is back with all proceeds going to the Local Community Food Centre. This year’s event will be held Oct. 6 starting at 9:30 a.m. with the well-loved five-dollar kid’s race one hour before. With a room 400 people to participate and 300 already registered, this year is expect- ed to be the highest-grossing year yet. Last year’s event raised over $21,000. This money is used to supply over 27,286 meals served or sent home for those in need throughout the community. It also helped provide 203 food-skills sessions at The Local Community Food Centre. New this year, organizers are planning a Health and Wellness Expo the day be- fore the event, located at The Local Com- munity Food Centre. This event promises to bring together community members, local businesses and wellness enthusiasts to celebrate health, fitness and communi- ty spirit. The event will be an opportunity for those participating in the race to pick up their bibs while browsing local busi- ness booths and learning more about the peal and-wellness community in Strat- ae Stratford Sk Run/Walk will take runners past Stratford’s beautiful land- marks such as the Festival Theatre,.Tom Run /Walk i is back | for its third Patterson Theatre, Lake Victoria and Tom Patterson Island. This race will be chip-timed and all run- ners, walkers and strollers are encouraged to ) participate. “We want a oni yee in- to have (SUE SITKI PHOTO) ing from out of town, this event not only helps The Local Community Food Centre but brings hundreds of people to Stratford to help boost the local economy. “Tt’s a great way to bring in visitors and very good for. ea local businesses,” said le come from central cluding youth an active lifestyle,” said Dan Rajagopalan, organizing committee member. “After the race, we’ll recognize the fastest female and male under 17 and winners in the 40- 49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ categories. “Team registration is also available and is a fun way to involve the whole fami- ly or office in a great day of community fundraising. There will be a team category award and the fastest three times from our team will be used to determine the win- ning team. With over 60 per cent of registrants com- CG (free) BUS TOUR (free) oS @ Mayor’s Newcomers Breakfast & Bus Tour Saturday, October 5 Stratford Agriplex, 357 McCarthy Road West BREAKFAST 8:30-10 a.m. Agriplex Community Hall, with community resource booths Departs at 10 a.m. from the Agriplex, showing useful services and landmarks in Stratford Registration is required, and can be done for one or both at www.stratford.ca/welcome Registration can also be done in person at the Rotary Complex, Agriplex, at City Hall, or by calling 519-271-0250 extension 5249. ome | Canada be, Bo Gres Multicaltural Association and oatiweaers ‘Ontarig for the run.” year The Local Community Food Centre in Stratford empowers those with barriers to access and benefit from quality, nutritious food by offering opportunities to cook, grow, share and advocate for good food for everyone in our community. Their programs empower people to advocate for themselves and assist them in building kitchen and gardening skills that help al- leviate food insecurity in a dignified and non-stigmatizing way. Those wanting to participate are asked to sign up as soon as possible, as less than 100 spots remain. The committee is also currently looking for volunteers for the event. To donate, sign up or become a volun- teer, visit www.stratfordSk.com. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor at the Health and Wellness Expo, or for more information on this event, can email danrajagopalan@gmail.com Destination Stratford embracing new ideas to leverage sports tourism ALEX HUNT Times Correspondent Kylie Wasser, director of sport develop- ment and tourism at Destination Stratford, says making relationships is a priority when discussing strategic innovation in the local sports-tourism sector with local busi- nesses. An interactive meeting was held at Strat- ford city hall Aug. 19, hosted by Destina- tion. The session gave Wasser a platform to share her ideas for how sports tourism could benefit business owners in long-term scenarios. “(We are) expressing to people that we are enhancing sports events that are already here; we are not bringing more in,” said Wasser. “We are enhancing the experience itself and leveraging the local businesses and accumulating a yearlong event port- folio of small- and medium-sized events which can consistently have a significant impact to a city of this size and scale, and its cultural amenities it has to offer.” Wasser, who has filled the sport-devel- opment-and-tourism role since March, said cities that have a strong sports-tourism (ALEX HUNT PHOTO) ELEVATE STRATFORD'S SPORT TOURISM Kylie Wasser, director sport development and tourism in Stratford, shares innovative strategies to elevate Strat- ford's sport tourism. Was- ‘ser is pictured above at Destination Stratford. DESTINATION STRATFORD economy have a dedicated staff, but she is the only staff member devoted to sports tourism in Stratford for now. The next step would be creating a solid sports-develop- ment sector that has the time to grow and evolve, and suits Stratford’s characteristics. “This is going to mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people and these strategies have to be strategic and unique to each and every individual event,” said Wasser. “Sport is ever changing because it’s a part of culture, because culture is people and people never stay the same.” Wasser said she’s excited to build net- works and collaborations with different people in Stratford. “T lived here for almost a decade. I know these businesses and even if I don’t know the owners, I know their front-of-line staff,” said Wasser. “I know these busi- nesses; this is something that’s so needed for this town and I know what these chal- lenges are going to be. The sports system isn't black and white, it’s connected to ev- erything.” Wasser says it’s a dream come true to be able to pursue her passion while helping people and her community. _