Running with the Bulls expectedto be larger

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

It could be said that Running with the Bulls organizer Tamara Bull has a way of grabbing the bull by the horns and running with it.

“My life has always been go big or go home,” Bull said, while taking a moment out from organizing what has become a large event drawing several hundred people.

Bull said the run, which is a sanctioned event on July 18, is gaining a positive reputation in the running community. The other place the event is gaining momentum is as a memorial for those who lost a loved one to cancer, as all proceeds go to assist families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

The event originated after Bull’s son Nathan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2023. Initially, it was believed he would have to go to the U.S. for any treatment, and a GoFundMe page was started. An outpouring of support came for this longstanding local volunteer’s family.

Nathan managed to find treatment in Toronto, but still had to deal with the financial implications associated with treatment. His mother decided to give back to the community, starting Running with the Bulls in 2024 as a fundraiser to assist with the expenses from cancer not covered by the medical system.

“What if a family didn’t have such a successful GoFundMe,” she said. “No family should have to determine if their kid lives or dies; it shouldn’t be that way.”

Last year, Bull associated the event with the Kindred Foundation, a registered charity that assists individuals and their families who are diagnosed with cancer. She sought and was given assurance that any money raised in Tillsonburg would be prioritized for local spending.

Running with the Bulls is the only registered chip-time run in Oxford County. This affiliation, which is a large undertaking for an individual to organize, draws people from long distances, including Sarnia, Kingston, Ottawa, Windsor, and Barrie.

For runners, there will be swag for all participants. There will be more displays that interest runners, including local establishments such as At My Playground and the Ripped Club. Kokoanna Multi-Sport, which is Bull’s running club, will also have a display. She said it is designed to cover people of all abilities.

“Me at 61 can run with my son who is 29,” she said.

The run last year attracted 375 runners. Bull already surpassed that number and has a goal of 600 spots – 500 for adults and 100 for the youth Kiddie Run.

“In my world, I would sell out of all 500 spots,” she said.

There are cash prizes for the top three finishers, along with additional prizes from local businesses.

Running with the Bulls is also a family event, complete with youth-focused booths. This includes the Station Arts Centre kid’s zone, face painting, bouncy castles from Super Air Bounce and a separate one-kilometer ‘Kiddie Run’.

“Very seldom will you have a one-kilometer kiddie run where you get a medal,” Bull said.

She has enlisted community groups to assist with the event. The Lion’s Club provided a $1,000 monetary donation and will have a tent and some volunteers assisting with the event.

Since Tillsonburg no longer has a Relay for Life, Bull sees the opportunity to expand the Family Memorial Walk. The memorial walk will give supporters the opportunity to purchase flags and carry them in the walk, either in yellow in honour of a person with cancer or white in memory of a person who died of cancer.

“You can personalize your flag at the Station Arts Centre and then carry it in the memorial walk, or plant it next to the trail,” Bull said.

“My goal was not just to make it a running event but a complete community event,” Bull said.

This year’s goal is to raise $33,000.

Registration for the run is $55 until June 28, then it goes up by $10 until the event date. Memorial signs are $5. More information is available at tillsonburgrunningwiththebulls.com