Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation 2025 Butterfly Run Slated For April 27 at Millennium Park

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) 2025 edition of its Peterborough Butterfly Run 5K Run/Walk is returning to Millennium Park on April 27, announced on Wednesday.

Since 2018, 800 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers. Photo by David Tuan bui.

We are happy to welcome Ashley Hickson and Kori Zwarych as the new Co-chairs of the Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee. 

Ashley and Kori have been involved for a number of years (you may have seen them cheering on the runners at the half way point each year) and had this to say about their new role

“After years of involvement on the backend of things, curating and distributing bereavement kits in the community, we are excited to have a more prominent role on the Executive Committee for the run itself this year,” said Ashley Hickson and Kori Zwarych, Butterfly Run co-chairs in a joint statement. “We are working on furthering initiatives with the money raised to help support families with their grief. We are looking forward to another successful event.”

“Since 2022, GPHSF has taken the lead role in organizing the Peterborough Butterfly Run, which has been a great privilege. It is both humbling and gratifying to see the impact that it has made,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “We look forward to working with Ashley and Kori as they take on a more prominent role this year. We are excited to bring everyone together again on April 27 in Millennium Park.”

The following is the run’s schedule:

• 9 a.m.: Registration opens

• 10 a.m.: 1K Kids Fun Run

• 10:20 a.m.: 1K Memorial Walk starts

• 10:45 a.m.: Opening ceremonies

• 11 a.m. 5K chip-timed run/walk starts

The Memorial Walk will remain free as in previous years, with 1km Kids Fun Run registration at $5 and the 5K Run/Walk registration at $45 (plus applicable fees). 

All registrants receive include a medal and customizable race bib. All 5km Run/Walk participants who register before the April 4 deadline will also receive a race shirt and other items in their race kit.

Registration is available online or in person at Runner’s Life at 174 Charlotte St. Runner’s Life’s Dave Dame is this year’s race director.

Proceeds will provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County according to GPHSF. It will help establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. 

GPHSF also states that money raised at the race also keeps costs affordable for participants, continuing to offer the free 1km Memorial Walk/Run, providing memorial bibs to all runners to write a personalized name or message.

Donations to an individual or team can be made online.

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1,000 Participants Help Peterborough Butterfly Run Raise Over $92,000

Over 1,000 people got their feet moving for the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) Peterborough Butterfly Run, raising over $92,000 at Millennium Park on Sunday.

Since 2018, more than 800 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team and PRHC. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

Participants could participate in the one km Kids Fun Run, one km Memorial Walk or the 5 km Run/Walk. The run was in support of anyone who has experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or is unable to conceive.

The proceeds were used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County and develop bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss.

“It was great to feel the fellowship, support, and comradery of the crowd which is what the event has always been about,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “No matter what format the event has taken, there are so many that support its mission. For that we are very grateful.”

The top three fundraising teams were: Macks Pack, The White Family and Team Bene’s Buddies. 

The top three individual fundraisers were Stephanie Sutton, Rebecca Mcevoy and Cally White.

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Temporary Road Closure In Effect for Peterborough Butterfly Run on April 28

A temporary road closure will be in effect for the Peterborough Butterfly Run from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 28. 

The Peterborough Butterfly Run supports families and individuals who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child or are unable to conceive.  PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PETERBOROUGH BUTTERFLY RUN.

Affected streets will be:

• Engleburn Avenue from the south side of Charles Street to the north side of Maria Street

• Birdsall Street from the south side of Charles Street to the north side of Maria Street

Streets will be made available for local traffic. The public is advised that runners will come through this area between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

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Peterborough Takes Action for Monarch Conservation Through 10 Kilometre Monarch Run

Local community members who are concerned about the environment and the plight of monarch butterflies are encouraged to join the inaugural Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Millennium Park.

photo courtesy of the monarch ultra.

As many are aware the migratory monarch butterfly is now an endangered species, threatened by habitat destruction and climate change. The Monarch Ultra, a community-led group in Peterborough, is launching a new initiative as a call to action to protect monarchs and inspire positive environmental change.

After the initial 4,300 kilometre relay from Canada to Mexico in 2019 and the 1,800 kilometre relay within Ontario in 2021, the organization is embarking on a series of runs in Canada, the US and Mexico as well as organizing a Monarch Butterfly Festival in Peterborough to raise awareness for monarch conservation this year.

Runners can register for the 10 kilometre race and fundraise for Nación Verde, a non-profit conservation organization in Mexico that is helping to restore habitat loss from deforestation in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The organization works in several areas including conservation, regeneration and protection of the environment. This year, Nación Verde is planning to plant 100,000 Oyamel trees along 100 hectares. Overall, planting trees is beneficial for the environment because it helps to fight climate change, minimize soil erosion, promote healthy forest and biodiversity, and helps reduce carbon dioxide. 100% of donations raised through the Monarch Run will be for Nación Verde who is playing a vital role in protecting habitat for monarch butterflies and other forest dwellers at the Reserva de la Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca. Registration for the Peterborough 10 kilometre race and 1 kilometre kids fun run can be found online.

“I would love to see a sea of orange and black along the race route. An image of humans running with wings will mimic the monarch migration which takes place around the same time as our race,” says race director for the Monarch Ultra Jodi McNeill.

photo courtesy of the monarch ultra.

The Monarch Ultra has worked diligently for several years now to bring awareness and inspire action for monarch butterflies across North America. As they continue to educate and advocate for these endangered species, they encourage the community to join the movement and consider planting a pollinator garden or few pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed (monarch butterflies need milkweed plants to lay their eggs) and avoid using pesticides in your garden and property.

“Recognizing that monarch butterflies are endangered should inspire action on several levels, and one way is for communities to protect and increase biodiversity along the migratory path which ultimately helps all wildlife species,” says Carlotta James, co-founder of the Monarch Ultra. “There are so many ways for folks to do something impactful and creative to save monarch butterflies. We can plant pollinator gardens. We can push governments to create better policies that protect biodiversity and wild spaces. And we can run for monarch conservation. I am doing all three actions so that we can continue to enjoy these migratory marvels flying through our summer skies.”

The out and back course will take runners along the Rotary Trail and Otonabee River. Following the race, families and community members are invited to participate in the Monarch Butterfly Festival starting at noon at Millennium Park. Participants can expect music, dancers, performances and presentations at the festival, while the event will also showcase sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.

The organizers are seeking out sponsors to support the community-led event. If interested, contact Carlotta James via email.

Register for the 10 kilometre race on October 15th, and come out to our Monarch Butterfly Festival to celebrate, to learn more about biodiversity initiatives, and to have fun, all in honour of the monarch butterfly.

To learn more about the Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race visit the website.

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Peterborough Butterfly Run Has Record Breaking In-Person Return

Although the morning was overcast and threatening rain, spirits were high and Millennium Park was full of energy as over 1,000 people came out to the Peterborough Butterfly Run on Sunday April 30.

photo courtesy of the peterborough butterfly run.

Attendees came out and participated in the 1KM Kids Fun Run, 1KM Memorial Walk or the 5KM Run/Walk. Every one of those 1,000 participants, supporters and volunteers also came to show their support for friends, family, co-workers, and even people they’ve never met, who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or are unable to conceive.

This was the first in-person Peterborough Butterfly Run since 2019, having moved virtual for 2021 and 2022. The support for the return to a live event was much greater than the organizers could have ever wished for.

On top of having a massive crowd in Millennium Park, a record total of funds was raised leading up to and during the event. Although donations are still coming in and being counted, the event raised over $100,000, making it the highest grossing Peterborough Butterfly Run since its inception in 2017.

“What an amazing return to the in-person format,” said Vince Bierworth, executive director for the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, Event Organizers. “It was much more than we, the Peterborough Butterfly Run committee and Partners in Pregnancy Clinic, could have ever imagined. It was great to fell the fellowship, support, and comradery of the crowd, which is what the event has always been about. No matter what format the event has taken, there are so many that support its mission. For that we are very grateful.”

The top three fundraising teams were Team Benjamin Moffatt, Team Orangetheory Fitness and Team Jessica Dalliday. The top 3 individual fundraisers were Cody Welton, Danielle Mac Lean and Lauren McDonald. Event speaker Mike Dalliday shared with everyone the story of the loss of his wife Jessica and daughter Angeline, and how he, along with his 4-year-old daughter Rachel, have been managing since their devastating loss.

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, more than 500 bereavement kits have been provided to families and individuals by health care providers in the community and at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).  

Those who would like to donate to support the Peterborough Butterfly Run can at any time by visiting the website, clicking donate and selecting Peterborough Butterfly Run.

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Peterborough Butterfly Run Temporary Road Closure on April 30

A temporary road closure will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 30 for the Peterborough Butterfly Run.

photo courtesy of the peterrborough butterfly run.

Streets with temporary closures include:

-  Engleburn Avenue from the south side of Charles Street to the north side of Maria Street

- Birdsall Street from the south side of Charles Street to the north side of Maria Street

Streets will be made available for local traffic. Be advised that runners will be coming through this area between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. the day of the event.

The Peterborough Butterfly Run supports families and individuals who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child or are unable to conceive. To find out more about the event and/or support, visit the website.

If there are concerns with this notice, contact Vince Bierworth at (705) 740-8074 ext. 300 or Vince@GPHSF.ca.

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The Peterborough Butterfly Run Returns To a Live In-Person Race For It’s 7 Year Anniversary

The Peterborough Butterfly Run is returning to an in-person run for the first time in four years at Millennium Park on April 30.

photo courtesy of the peterborough butterfly run.

GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, in partnership with the Peterborough Butterfly Run executive committee and the Partners In Pregnancy Clinic (PiPC) are bringing back the annual 5 kilometre run/walk with the same route as previous years. Registration will open at 9 a.m., the 1K Memorial Walk and 1K Kids Fun Run at 10 a.m., opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m., and the 5K chip timed run/walk starting by 11 a.m.

The Memorial Walk is free, with 1 kilometre Kids Fun Run registration costing $5 and the 5K run is $45. This includes a race shirt, medal and various other items in the race kit.

The 2023 Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee includes Kelly Ross, Jennie Vanier, Alessandra Friesen, Kori Mahon and Ashley Hickson and the event is also supported by a number of other dedicated volunteers.

Mike Dalliday will be speaking at the run, sharing his story with participants.

“The Butterfly Run has always been very special to my wife Jess and I. Even before our own battle, we had many friends and family members who had been affected by infertility, miscarriage and infant loss and the event felt like a way we could connect with and support those families,” said Dalliday. “In 2016 after we were married, we began our own infertility journey. But after almost 2 years of tests, appointments, 2 surgeries, close monitoring, and medications we were miraculously able to conceive our now 4-year-old daughter Rachel.”

“We were lucky enough to conceive our second child in 2020. However, after a rare complication of childbirth, both Jess and our newborn daughter Angeline tragically passed away in April of 2021. Through that experience and beyond, the Butterfly Run and the support and services it makes possible have been an integral part of our grief and healing journey. My family and I will be forever grateful for the Butterfly Run and the community of support it has brought into our lives when we needed it most,” Dalliday continued.

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss.

Since 2018, more than 500 bereavement kits have been provided to families and individuals by health care providers. Money raised at the race is also invested back into the race day itself as keeping costs affordable for participants, continuing to offer the free 1 kilometre Memorial Walk/Run, providing memorial bibs to all runners to write a personalized name or message and the display of memorial banners are all important aspects to creating the sense of community that the Peterborough Butterfly Run has become known for.

“GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation has been involved in the Peterborough Butterfly Run from its inception in 2017. We are excited to take a more lead role in organizing the event this year, under the watchful guidance of the Butterfly Run race committee” said Vince Bierworth, executive director for the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation. “It’s great to be able to return to a live event this year as the last time we had a live event was in 2019. However, for those unable to attend on April 30th, or don’t feel comfortable doing so, we are also offering a virtual run option to build upon the success of the past two virtual runs and be as inclusive as possible.”

Registration is available online or in-person at Runner’s Life 174 Charlotte St., Peterborough.

Those who would like to find out more about sponsorship opportunities can email Vince@GPHSF.ca or PTBOButterflyRun@gmail.com.

For those who are unable to join on April 30, but would still like to support, a virtual option is also available. 

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