Newmarket, ON – More than 1800 runners and walkers took to Davis Drive in the early morning of Sunday, April 26, 2026, as the spring sunshine emerged on the largest Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake in history. With 133 teams, the event crossed an incredible milestone, raising over $520,000 in support of critical needs across Southlake – the most ever raised since the event’s inception 24 years ago.

 “We are beyond thrilled with the enthusiasm, the participation, and willingness to fundraising for leading edge care, close to home at this year’s Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation.  “This event continues to be galvanizing for our communities, and inspires runners and walkers from across York Region and Simcoe County to lace-up and raise funds for a cause that means so much to us all. We often say at Southlake that if you don’t have your health, nothing else matters, and that’s a message that resonates with so many.”

 The 2026 event challenged participants in a variety of fundraising categories to be ‘Top of the Leaderboard’.  With fundraising officially closed, winners of the 2026 Fundraising Challenges awards are:

o   School Challenge Cup – Aurora Montessori School

o   Southlake Family Team Challenge – Cancer Centre Cruisers

o   Mayor’s Challenge – Town of Newmarket

o   Community Friends and Family Challenge – Egan Family Foundation

o   Corporate and Business Challenge – Team JFG

o   Community Spirit Award – Town of Aurora

“The overwhelming support of our communities show Southlake Health is truly inspiring, and I’m grateful for everyone who walked, ran, and fundraised during this year’s event,” said Paul Woods, MD, President and CEO of Southlake Health.  “As Southlake continues to transform care across northern York Region and southern Simcoe County over the decade ahead, our communities’ ability to empower change through their caring support will be vital. We’re proud to stand alongside them to deliver leading edge care, close to home.”

 Nature’s Emporium CEO Steve Hollingsworth, Title Sponsor of the event for the past 14 years, echoed similar gratitude to community members for their support.

 “As a community-based business, we believe the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake brings our values as a business to life – supporting health, encouraging wellness, and creating space for our community members to show up for one another.  It’s an absolute honour for Nature’s Emporium to partner with Southlake Health Foundation, its volunteers, the participants, the sponsors, and our communities, to support leading edge care, close to home through this event. We’re so grateful to everyone who gave their time and their generosity to make this year such a success.”

 The 2027 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake will mark the 25^th anniversary of the event. 

 For more information about the event, visit: www.runforsouthlake.ca.