Parkdale Road Runners to host third solidarity run

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, and the Parkdale Road Runners are inviting the Toronto running community to join them in observing the month by participating in their third virtual solidarity run to raise awareness of anti-Asian racism. Like the first two, this run is part of the Chinatown Runners movement, which was started in New York City and has spread to several other cities across the U.S. and Canada.

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Unlike the first two runs, this third edition, which will take place between March 22 and 23, is not taking place in downtown Toronto. Instead, the route (which will be posted later this week) will be an 8K in Scarborough.

“We decided to plan one in Scarborough to make it accessible for those who might not be downtown but also to pay homage to the “ethnoburbs” that exist beyond the downtown core,” explains organizer Michelle Kay. “The 1980s saw a trend of Chinese residents moving away from Chinatowns downtown to some of the suburbs and setting up businesses there.”

This month, Kay and the rest of the Parkdale Road Runners want to encourage runners to head to Scarborough and support some of the iconic spots that exist there. For downtown runners who don’t want to make the trek there, they are suggesting they run one of the routes from the first two runs instead.

Since the first week of May was also Mental Health Awareness Week, this third run will be in support of the CAMH Sunrise Challenge. Participants and anyone else who wishes to support the cause are encouraged to donate on their fundraising page. Kay says they also have a few more surprises coming this week, so be sure to keep your eye on their Instagram page so you don’t miss anything.

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