After being held virtually for two years, the 20th annual Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake kicks off in person at 8 a.m. this Sunday, April 24, and for repeat participant Krissy Young, this year is especially meaningful because it marks the first time her husband and all four of her young children will be participating with her.
Starting Saturday, Young plans to run 2.6K every hour for 26 hours to raise $26,000 for Southlake Regional Health Centre. The number 26 is significant to Young because it's the amount of days her twin boys spent in Southlake's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 2017, she said.
"It takes a very special person to do what they're doing and they do it well," Young said of the NICU staff.
Young began fundraising for the hospital to honour her twins' first birthday and has continued every year since. She's raised more than $34,000 collectively since her twins were born, she said, but she's hoping this is the year she can reach her goal of $26,000.
"The NICU is never where any parent wants to start their journey and if I can make that just a little bit easier for the next family, make their time there easier or support the staff in any way, in terms of fundraising and providing better equipment. . . to help the amazing team that saved my boys then that's what I'd like to do."
It will be emotional, Young said, to be able to participate with Liam, 7, Charlotte, 6, and almost 5-year-old twins Connor and Kyle and to stand under the Southlake bridge where she spent all those days pacing in 2017, she said.
"The very significant, emotional moment will be running under that bridge on Davis Drive with all four of my children and my husband and we will cross that finish line together."
Young said she would love to have other runners join her during one of the 2.6K legs of her journey that begins Saturday.
Proceeds from an online auction set up by Young to support Southlake closes Saturday and donations in support of Young's run can be made through her fundraising page.
Visit the Southlake website to register for either the virtual or in-person event.