Why do you run? We can give you a million reasons–including not just to focus on your own wellbeing, but the health of kids across the country. The Million Reasons Run is a virtual fundraiser that gives you the chance to make a positive impact on the world with every run. Supporting 13 children’s hospitals across Canada, the fundraiser has helped advance lifesaving treatments for countless children. This May, The Million Reasons Run is back for its fifth year–and now’s your chance to join the race to save lives.
Since its first iteration in 2021, The Million Reasons Run has raised more than $8 million to improve the quality of life and outcomes for children facing the most challenging health issues. Last year’s campaign raised $3 million, with participants logging more than 434,000 kilometres.
This year’s fundraiser runs May 1-31 and encourages sign-ups by individuals, with friends or as corporate teams–all you have to do is run. “Jog, run or sprint whenever you want, wherever you want, for as long as you want throughout the month of May,” the website says. The site also offers training and injury-prevention tips to help participants run safely, while a leaderboard encourages some healthy competition.
It’s your personal challenge
The Million Reasons Run isn’t your typical race with a set distance on a specific day. It’s entirely virtual, and participants have the freedom to complete the challenge wherever and whenever they please, with no set distance requirements. Instead of committing to a single race, you can dedicate your entire month to running for the cause. Simply sign up on The Million Reasons Run website, set your personal mileage goal, and start clocking those kilometres.
Whether it’s 30 km or 300, your mileage counts for a good cause as you support and raise awareness for Canadian children’s hospitals. Once you sign up, a personal fundraising page is created that you can then share via email or social media. Tracking is flexible; connect MapMyRun, Fitbit and Garmin, or enter your runs manually.
Million Reasons Run: Linda’s story
The event website has suggestions for tackling any distance goals, helping to make the challenge accessible for anyone ad everyone, and runners have the option of creating or joining a team for added fun.
Earn rewards for your efforts
Not only will your runs make your body feel good and raise funds for a greater cause, there are also prizes. When you sign up and donate $20+ to your page, you’ll be entered to win a Lululemon gift card.* Additionally, raising $500 will earn you a sweat-wicking tee, $1,500 will win you a new sweater and $2,500 will land you a new sports bag. Best of all, registering for the fundraiser before April 30 will put you in the running to win a pair of On running shoes.**
The cause
All donations go through SickKids Foundation and are then distributed to the children’s hospital foundation(s) closest to the given donor. Your donations fund lifesaving, groundbreaking research, helping to uncover new cures and less invasive treatments for children across Canada. Learn more about the kids who are impacted and participating hospitals here.
Don’t miss your chance to take the 31-day challenge and make every kilometre count this May. To learn more and sign up for the 2025 Million Reasons Run, click here.
*Lululemon Contest Rules
**ON Running Contest Rules
