Two Airdrie groups that are on the front lines of dealing with the issue of family violence will benefit financially from a run to be held later this spring.

Community Links and Airdrie and District Victims Assistance are also hoping that the Second Annual Legacy Endurance Run to End Family Violence draws attention to the ongoing problem of family violence in Airdrie and are

Laurie Jacob-Toews, the Manager of Community Development Services for Community Links says it's important to talk about the issue of family violence to bring it out of the shadows. 

"Just to raise awareness and let people know that we do have supports in place and if they're in that themselves that they know where they can go for help and they know that help is available, which is really what we're trying to make sure people are aware of.  There is help out there.  If you know someone who is going through it or if you yourself are going through it, please just ask for help and reach out and there is someone who is there and can help you out."

Incidents of family violence are on the rise in Airdrie.  Airdrie and District Victim Services provided stats that show they dealt with 1,263 incidents in 2017.  Although that's an increase of just 16 incidents over the year before, the number increased by nearly 200 from 2015 when there were 1,048 incidents reported to 1,247 in 2016.

Last year, the race filled to over-capacity when over 200 runners entered.  This year, Jacob-Toews says they've increased the number of entries they can take to 250.  The event features three separate races, a 5K, 10K and Airdrie's only half-marathon.  The 5K race will again be dedicated to the memory of Andrea Conroy, an Airdrie woman who tragically died in a family violence incident in 2012.  The support of Conroy's family and friends was very moving for Jacob-Toews last year.

"We actually had lots of her friends and family show up last year and it was great to see them all there to support the run and to support Andrea's memory, so we're looking forward to that again this year and just that continued awareness for family violence in our community and just how people can support one another."

While Jacob-Toews says the inaugural race last year did generate great awareness for the issue of family violence, it didn't generate as much funds as hoped for the two groups.  She hopes that will change this year with more sponsorships.

"We do have some sponsorship opportunities.  We are looking for more sponsors, we have some that have signed up already.  On our website, there is an opportunity to become involved as a sponsor.  The fundraising actually turned out a little better than we hoped last year because we ended up with a lot of runners in the race, but the more sponsorship we can get to offset the cost then we know that more of that income from the actual run itself can just go directly to the two organizations.

If you'd like to sign up as a runner or become a sponsor of the race you can go here. 

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