Bigger, better Running with the Bulls planned

Tamara Bull and Mascot go for a run along the rail trail east of Tillsonburg where the second Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls will take place on July 19. Funds raised at the event will be used to assist with the costs of dealing with cancer for children and adults under 30. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Those who know Tamara Bull know she is about giving back.

When the second Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls takes place on the trail east of Tillsonburg on July 19, it will be one of her ways of giving back. It features a 10-kilometre run, five-kilometre event, one-kilometre Kiddie Bull Charge and a two-kilometre memorial family walk.

Registration is $55 until June 29, plus processing fees, then it goes up by $10 until the final registration date of July 18. There is no charge for the memorial or Kiddie Bull Challenge.

A long-time community volunteer whose face could be seen helping many community organizations, Tamara saw family adversity prior to Christmas 2023 when her son was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Doctors at London’s Victoria Hospital said there was little they could do as this cancer was so rare, there was little research done in Canada. They suggested MD Anderson Clinic in Texas or the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. With the treatment came a $900,000 price tag.

A generous GoFundMe campaign was launched to help offset costs. Although an alternative was found to American treatment, there were still massive costs.

“When I experienced the love and support from our entire community, not just with the GoFundMe but in so many other areas, I knew that thank-you wasn't cutting it,” she said. “I needed to give back somehow. Since I am a runner, I decided to create a running event.”

The initial Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls – which Tamara said is a catch on her last name, raised $20,000 for the Kindred Foundation to help infants and young adults under 30 with expenses related to cancer.

“My funds get priority in my area,” she said of the use of the money.

The launching of the event last year was a family effort with husband Rick designing the logo, and son Dylan setting up an email and web site.

The idea of the run came about as Tamara is a competitive runner and knew she wanted to organize a competitive event. Her motto in life is “Go big or go home” so it was to be expected this would be a top-rate event. The run is chip timed (where runners are timed with a chip and sensor at the gate), insured, certified and sanctioned.

“It is the only running event in all of Oxford County that covers off all of these features,” Tamara said. “Usually, you have to go to a larger centre for a run of this quality.”

Bull’s business plan for the run is to find sponsors to cover the $20,000 in costs for the event. This includes prizes for all age groups in the five and 10-kilometre events. With these costs covered, the registration fees will all go towards the Kindred Foundation.

Sticking with the “go big” motto, Tamara is planning for up to 600 runners this year. The event site is the corner of Tillson Ave/Clark St (Future Transfer Co Inc property).

New this year is Mascot, a bull who has been out and about promoting the run. Mascot will be named through submissions made at a tent on the site on event day.

In the meantime, Mascot has been out and about in the community, promoting the run and the sponsors to date. Videos and photos on Facebook have recorded Mascot buying a car at My Motors, getting a pizza at Tillson Pizza, working out at Lightweight Gym, decorating Smile Cookies at Tim Hortons and having a treatment at Baldwin Street Chiropractic. More sponsor visits are planned.

Tamara is also looking for volunteers to help on race day.

Registration and all details can be found on the website www.tillsonburgrunningwiththebulls.com