Saturday, June 28th, 2025
What is Run For Home?
Run For Home is a charity event designed to get people outside, moving, and enjoying the natural environment around us, while raising money for a great cause. Whether you are a trained runner, or just looking to enjoy the beautiful trails in Deep River, you set your goal, and your pace!
The race is divided into different distances, depending on your personal goals: 2K, 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon 21K
In an attempt to attract a wider demographic of participants, Run For Home encourages seasoned runners to put their abilities to the test with either a 10km run, or a half marathon, but also allows for those who just want to walk, taking part in a community event, with a 2km trail and a 5km trail. The event is open to all ages and all levels of experience.
For those coming from out of town, enjoy the stunning nature Deep River has to offer, from the Four Season Conservation Trails where the walk/run occurs, to the gorgeous beaches along the Ottawa River.
Families can bring children to take part in games, and activities to keep them occupied while enjoying food vendors, music, and other stalls.
This day aims to bring our community together, show visitors what they are missing, and of course, raise donations for Closer To Home.
History
The fall classic known as the “Kitchissippi Run” ran for eight years in Laurentian Hills and raised over $100,000 for local charities, a large portion going to the Deep River and District Health Foundation. In the fall of 2020 during the global pandemic the event was cancelled and with continued threats of a third wave taking place, the organizers decided to end the run for good, making this hugely successful fundraiser a casualty of the pandemic. The Kitchissippi Run had evolved into a “family-focused event” that provided tons of activities, not just for the hale and hearty, but for the general public as well. The activities ranged from bouncy castles, to face painting, yoga for runners and bikers, vendor displays, breakfast and a Teddy Bear Clinic hosted by 1 Canadian Field Hospital. The loss of this valuable fundraiser was felt throughout the community and Deep River & District Health.
In 2023, event organizer Colette Giroux teamed up with the Deep River & District Health Foundation to recreate this popular event and focus attention on the Closer To Home campaign at Deep River & District Health. This significant campaign aims to raise $2.5M to furnish and equip a new 96-Bed Long-Term Care facility in Deep River on DRDH campus. The run/walk event was scheduled for June of that year, a departure from the usual fall dates of the Kitchissippi, but a time period that worked out well with the other events the DRDH Foundation had planned. Thus from loss, grew something new, an annual event in Deep River, drawing focus to a much needed cause.
