File photo taken from the 2019 edition of the St. Patrick's / Dawe Run. (St. Patrick's Community School)

By rdnewsNOW staff

four decade tradition

Local school districts cancel annual St.Patrick’s / Dawe Run

Sep 18, 2020 | 9:45 AM

Red Deer Public Schools and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools have jointly announced the cancellation of this year’s St. Patrick’s/Dawe Run.

The annual event, now in its fourth decade, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The run was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 22.

Officials point out the current Alberta Health gathering restrictions of 200 people for outdoor events. In the past, the St. Patrick’s/Dawe Run brought together approximately 6,000 Grade 4-12 students from across Central Alberta.

The annual event promotes fitness while accommodating both the recreational and competitive runner.

“The St. Patrick’s/Dawe Run has been a longstanding tradition in not only our school communities but in the Red Deer community as well. It is something that we all look forward to each fall,” says Braden Kilpatrick, Principal at G.H. Dawe School, in a release. “While it’s disappointing that we have to cancel this year’s event, schools are finding alternate ways to stay active and healthy during this time.”

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“Over the years, the St. Patrick’s/Dawe Run has been a great partnership with Red Deer Public and our school to promote students’ health and wellness,” adds Cathy Cameron, Principal at St. Patrick’s Community School. “We look forward to organizing this event each fall to bring together school communities from across Central Alberta. It’s unfortunate that we have to cancel this event; however, our division is continuing our focus on a comprehensive school health approach that promotes active living, healthy eating and mental wellness in our schools.”

“Our goal is to build healthier school communities by focusing on the whole child,” explains Health & Wellness Coordinator, Char Andrew at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. “Even though the St. Patrick’s/Dawe Run event is cancelled this year; it’s only one of many ways we promote physical literacy in our school communities. Our division staff will continue to promote and support all aspects of wellness in our schools.”