NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — It was a perfect day for paddling.
The annual Race on the River was held in New Glasgow on Saturday July 27 with more than 40 teams competing and organizers couldn’t be happier with the weather they had for the event.
This year was the 18th year for the Race on the River and was also the 20th anniversary of the Women Alike, ABreastaRiver Dragon Boat team which made this year’s event even more special said Meghan Brophy marketing and communications director for the event.
This year $111,000 was raised for the three nonprofits that are supported through the event: Women Alike Breast Cancer Survivors Society, Special Olympics Northern Region and the Pictou County Prostate Cancer Support Association.
Teams from throughout Atlantic Canada as well as places as far away as New Jersey and Ontario competed. Among them were nine teams made up entirely of breast cancer survivors.
“We’re really so fortunate to live in a community that supports this event,” Brophy said. “The energy was high. The community spirit was evident. It was a great day.”
The event wouldn’t be such a success she said if it wasn’t for the approximately 100 volunteers who help out and the sponsors who donate to make the event possible each year.
“We just thank everyone that supports this event year after year,” she said. “The community is such a wonderful community to be part of.
At this year’s opening ceremonies held July 26, it was announced that the Advocate in partnership with MacGregor’s Industrial Group and the New Glasgow Rotary Club have created an interpretive panel to be placed in Rotary Park in New Glasgow to tell the story of the Women Alike, AbreastARiver Dragon Boat Team and the movement they started. Advocate CEO Sean Murray also announced that the team will be inducted into the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame and that they are being honoured with the Hugh Murray Humanitarian Award for their work in the community.
“They are cancer support heroes. They are community heroes. They are fundraising champions. They are fierce competitors. They are a family. They are a shining example of community and they are athletes,” Murray said.
RACE ON THE RIVER 2019 CUP WINNERS/TOP PLEDGE WINNERS
• SOBEYS CUP (CORPORATE): Michelin White River Runners
• TOWN OF NEW GLASGOW CUP (COMMUNITY): Y Wave Rides
• SOURCE ATLANTIC CUP (COME FROM AWAY): Dartmouth Dragon Beasts
• MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA CUP (SPECIAL OLYMPICS): Cobequid Fire Eaters
• BRUCE F MURRY MEMORIAL CUP (FESTIVAL GRAND FINAL): Dartmouth Dragon Beasts
• ADVOCATE PRINTING & PUBLISHING CUP (BREAST CANCER FINAL): Bosum Buddies
TOP PLEDGE EARNERS:
Community:
Shirley Murray (Women Alike) - $3,045
Justin Clifton (Team Elsie) - $2,260
Corporate:
Glenn Hynes & Joan Murray (Crombie Crushers) $18,500
Aaron Bryant (Crombie Crushers) $5,400
Total pledges raised $111,000