On July 20, seven kilometres into a planned 27-km long run, SarahRose Black of Toronto was violently assaulted in broad daylight on Toronto’s Yonge Street, sending her to the emergency room with serious facial injuries. Five weeks later, though still not fully recovered, Black plans to finish that long run, along with friends, fellow runners and supporters in the fight against gender-based violence.
Black and her run club, ChixRunthe6ix, have planned an event entitled “Finish the Run” for Sunday, Aug. 25, which will include a 20-km run, starting at 8 a.m. at Yonge and North York Blvd. and ending at Oliver Coffee Bar on Pape Ave., with a post-run party from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Sadly, this was not the first time a Chix member has experienced violent assault while running in Toronto; its leader, Amanda Richardson, had a similar experience in 2021 while running in Riverdale Park. And in a similar way, the group rallied and created an event, Take Back the Track, to finish the workout and to raise awareness around safety. “This is a big issue,” Richardson said at the time, “and we just want to be able to go out for a run and feel safe.”
This Sunday’s event will be held as a fundraiser to benefit METRAC, an organization that helps women, youth, neighbours, students and co-workers build safer communities and prevent violence, harassment and discrimination. Everyone is welcome (for all or part of the run), and a donation of $27 (or pay what you can) is requested. (You can donate here.)
