Sporting Life 10K raises more than $1.8 million for Campfire Circle

More than 16,000 runners, walkers and strollers hit Yonge Street on May 14, 2023, for the iconic Sporting Life 10K, presented by ASICS. For 23 years, on Mother’s Day, avid runners, families and fitness enthusiasts lace up to raise critical funds for kids and families affected by childhood cancer or serious illness.

This year, the Sporting Life 10K raised more than $1.8 million, which goes a long way in providing year-round camp-inspired experiences in hospitals, community events and at overnight camp.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Sporting Life, and all of our participants, donors, volunteers, and sponsors who support us so generously. Because of you, we are able to provide children and their families affected by childhood cancer or serious illness with joy, friendship, community, and the means to build resilience,” says Alex Robertson, CEO of Campfire Circle. “Kids need us now, more than ever, and this event and the funds raised are a huge part of their healing journey.”

As one of the biggest running events in Canada, the Sporting Life 10K began at Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue with corrals of participants starting at 7:30 am with the last group ending at 9:00 am.

Along the route, more than 950 volunteers handed out cups of water and cheered on groups as they made their way to the finish line at Coronation Park. There, they were greeted by campers and their families who gave out finisher medals.

New this year, the event culminated at the CNE Bandshell, the post-race party zone.

Event sponsors Arc’teryx supplied a dunk tank, Athletic Brewery gave out cold beverages while Shiseido handed out tumblers and sunscreen samples – a must for the sunny Sunday morning.

More than 10 corporate teams and families congregated at their pop-up tents, marking the end of months of training and fundraising. Each team raised over $25,000, and collectively, these teams raised more than $500,000.

“This year’s fundraising total shattered our expectations,” said Cynthia Hamilton, team captain of SirisuXM’s Happy Campers, who raised more than $30,000 this year. “We held our annual cookathon where our executives put out challenges in the moment. We raised $14,000 in 45 minutes. When I saw the number climb, I was in tears. I couldn’t keep up with the donations rolling in on the website.”

“It’s such an important cause for our team, and corporately, we are so well supported. We can’t thank our entire organization enough,” added Cynthia, who walked the Sporting Life 10K with her two sons.

While the event crew started cleaning the streets at 11:00 am, celebrations were in full swing at the CNE Bandshell. Alex Robertson, CEO of Campfire Circle, welcomed campers and their families on stage to reveal the final fundraising dollars to the cheering crowd.

Folks tried to win Campfire Circle prizes through games such as Plinko, and those who didn’t have a lucky hand were able to purchase gear at the newly launched Campfire Circle merchandise store.

With faux campfires, music and games, event attendees basked in a campsite feel.

Sold out this year, this is the second time the Sporting Life 10K is back in person since the pandemic. The virtual event, which runs from May 14-31, has more than 650 participants. The final fundraising dollars raised will be made available in the first week of June.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor ASICS, and to our sponsors Shiseido, ICON, The Fruit Cart, SeedWise, Nuun, and Kinetic for making this day so incredible. We’d also like to acknowledge the support of our media partners, The Toronto Star, TSN, 104.5 CHUM FM, 98.1 CHFI, BOOM 97.3, MOVE Radio, Q107, and TSN 1050.