PARRY SOUND - About 200 runners and walkers,  participated in the fifth annual Georgian Bay Biosphere Walk, Run, Pole Sunday morning.
Although the number of participants was lower than in years past, West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation executive director Lynne Atkinson was impressed with the number of runners with a direct health centre connection.
Health centre staff
“Over a quarter of (the participants) came from the health centre this year or were family of health centre staff,” said Atkinson. “We’re really thrilled, because that’s certainly the biggest participation from the hospital - that’s just wonderful for us. We had less participates was less than in previous years, so our goal over the next little while is to really grow (the event).”
Approximately $40,000 was netted at the event that featured a quarter-marathon and 5k race.
The funds, Atkinson said, will go towards a $4,000 piece of equipment for the facility’s cardiac rehab department and the rest towards the C-Arm fund.
Dr. Wil Smith, who works out of the health centre, promised to donate an additional $50 to the cause for whoever past him during the race.
He placed first with a time of 43-minutes and 27-seconds, followed by Jessika Propert, with a time of 48-minutes and 50-seconds.