Gail Morrison with Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty in Belleville, Ontario, recently ran a two day, 100-kilometre ‘Run for Shelter,’ raising over $7,000 for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. 100% of the funds were directed to her local women’s shelter, Three Oaks. 

Family, friends and colleagues checked in at 10-kilometre markers along the predetermined route, which totalled the equivalent of 2.3 marathons. A friend rode a bike alongside her for support and at one point a fellow Royal LePage agent showed up on his motorcycle to slow traffic ahead of her. “It meant the world to me to feel everyone’s support,” said Morrison. “Seeing friendly faces and hearing the cheers really encouraged me to keep going despite blisters, aches and pains, and even a very superficial dog bite!”

Reflecting on the experience of her longest run to-date, Morrison is ultimately very proud of what she was able to accomplish on behalf of her community. “Training for this event and getting to that final 100-kilometre mark on day two was difficult, but it doesn’t compare to the strength shown by women who are able to walk away from a violent home or an abusive relationship. Too often women are fleeing with their children and with only the clothes on their backs. They are the heroes,” she said. “I feel honoured to have helped make their journey to safety just a little easier.”