Canada Running Series Foundation partners with the TO2015 IGNITE Program to Inspire its Community to Ignite the Spirit of the Games Through a Celebration of Sport and Culture
TORONTO, ON. April 10, 2015. The Canada Running Series Foundation is excited to announce its new partnership with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games through the IGNITE program, which enables individuals, organizations and communities to create their own special Games-themed initiative and/or increase awareness of existing projects through an association with the Games.
The partnership will see Toronto 2015 mascot PACHI star at 
the Toronto Yonge Street 10k in support of Red Door Family Shelter, next Sunday, April 19, together with a supporting cast of the Toronto 2015 Community Tour. More than 6,000 runners and walkers are expected to dash down Canada’s most famous Street from Eglinton to Historic Fort York, led by Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis and National Marathon record-holder Lanni Marchant who is expected to be one of the favourites in the Pam Am Women’s Marathon on July 18th. Canada Running Series will also be organizing the Women’s and Men’s Marathons at the Games. PACHI and the IGNITE Toronto 2015 Community Tour team will be waiting to greet the finishers in the post-race party area, complete with high-fives, all the information you need to connect with this summer’s sporting extravaganza, inflatable interactive sport activities, interactive photo cut-outs and SWAG! If that’s not enough, there will be extensive “selfie” photo opps with PACHI, between 9:40am and 10:25am, and during the Awards Ceremony from 10:45am to 11:30am. Councillors Christin Carmichael-Greb and Paula Fletcher will also be on hand to join in the celebrations.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Toronto 2015 IGNITE program,” said Canada Running Series Race Director Alan Brookes. “The visit of PACHI and the Toronto 2015 Community Tour is an outstanding opportunity for Toronto’s running community to get up close and personal with the Games – to run, meet and mingle with the likes of Lanni and Eric, then make plans to follow them to the Games – to get excited and IGNITED!”
IGNITE has already connected more than 450 individuals and organizations to the TORONTO 2015 Games throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. IGNITE is about leaving a social legacy behind after the Games.
“It’s great to see the IGNITE program in action,” said TO2015 Chief Executive Officer Saäd Rafi, “These are the Peoples’ Games and we want to see entire communities involved in our celebration of sport and culture. We couldn’t be more pleased with this new partnership as it will help us make that happen.”
For entry and further information on Toronto Yonge Street 10k see www.toronto10k.ca.Online registration closes midnight on Monday April 13th.
About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world’s best athletes and artists to the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.
The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15.
For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org
About Canada Running Series Foundation. Formed in 2011 as a charitable foundation to support the community and charity initiatives at Canada’s premier road running series, CRSF has a mission to promote healthy, sustainable communities, and healthy lifestyles through running, especially amongst children. Together, the Series and CRSF raise more than $6 million a year for important community initiatives.
