What is Miles for Smiles?
Miles for Smiles started off as an initiative of the Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Looking back into the history of Miles for Smiles, it was the year 2004 when a small group of medical students organized the very first student-run 5 km race in Saskatoon. It was their idea to create an event that promoted healthy lifestyles and involved residents from all parts of Saskatchewan. In the past couple years, we have expanded Miles for Smiles and are excited to keep this event growing this year!
In recent years, each Miles for Smiles race had over 100 participants and we are continuing our efforts to increase participation through use of the Miles for Smiles website, online registration, team registrations, and multiple avenues of advertising. We have raised over $80,000 since 2004. As you may know, we spent the last few years raising money to purchase a patient monitoring system for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan (which costs approximately $35,000). We are very excited to announce that in 2016 we reached this goal! A big thank you to all of you who helped us with this achievement – we could not have done it without you!
We are excited to bring to you our Miles for Smiles 2023 event with a combination of race options bringing together the best of Saskatchewan’s pavement pounders, roadrunner wannabes, and sneaker enthusiasts. We want to take this opportunity to invite you, your family, and your co-workers and friends to have fun with us on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 by running, walking, wheel-chairing, or strolling wherever you are. There is something for everyone! You have the choice of a 2.5 km, 5 km and a 10 km run or walk. Whether you are a first-time runner, seasoned athlete or just want to meet people or volunteer while supporting a great cause, this event is for you!
On behalf of the Miles for Smiles team, we encourage everyone to get in motion and join the excitement by participating in this year’s Miles for Smiles! We wish you all the best in your training and we look forward to cheering you on and congratulating you on race day!
Last day to Register is September 13th, 2023!
This Year's Charity
This year, all funds raised will go to SaskAbilities. SaskAbilities has a history in Saskatchewan since the 1950s, working together to build inclusive communities for people of all abilities. Initiatives within the organization include provided accessible parking, orthopedics and equipment, assessment services, and community programs. One of SaskAbilities most impactful contributions to healthcare is their work providing mobility aids to those in need, which would otherwise cost thousands of dollars. These mobility aids help give people the dignity and quality of life that they otherwise would not be able to afford. The money raised at this year's Miles for Smiles charity run will go towards the many services SaskAbilities offers, including community programs, equipment needs, residential services, and employment support.
