A local father-son harness racing duo is sponsoring up to 20 children to run in the upcoming Giddy Up and Gallop Kids Fun Run held at Grand River Raceway on June 12, 2015.

Trainer Gregg McNair and son driver Doug McNair are generously covering race registration fees for children from the Community Resource Centre of North & South Wellington (CRCNSW). The CRCNSW is a community benefit agency located in nearby Fergus. The efforts of CRCNSW are designed to fill gaps in community service, including transportation, outreach and support programs, childcare and Ontario Early Years.

The McNairs are top performers in the sport, each with their own accomplishments. The pair flourished in the prestigious Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) last year, both receiving the stakes’ most prestigious awards. Gregg has been the leading trainer in the OSS, receiving the sought-after Johnston cup in 2012, 2013 and 2014 while his son Doug received his first top OSS driving award, the Lampman Cup, in 2014.

“Sports have always been important to me and I was glad to offer assistance to these kids when Grand River Raceway approached me with the idea,” said driver Doug McNair. “Everyone should have the opportunity to take part in some sort of organized sport,” added Doug’s father Gregg.

In past years, the Giddy Up and Gallop Fun Run has raised funds for the Friends Of We Care, Standardbred Racetrack Chaplaincy, The Children’s Wish Foundation, the Chase MacEachern Foundation and The Equestrian Association for the Disabled.

Event Details:

If you’re between the ages of 5 and 14, this is your chance to see if you are the fastest half mile runner in Ontario. Bring your family and friends to cheer you on from the Grandstand and tarmac. The race will be televised on in-house monitors and shown as part of the track’s live broadcast, streamed at grandriverraceway.com. Runners will receive a great t-shirt, post-race refreshments and the winners will be awarded unique horseshoe trophies.

The running race will be staged as part of Grand River Raceway’s popular Fun & Frivolity Friday Race Night. A portion of the funds raised at the run will benefit the CRCNSW.

Afterwards, runners and their entourage can enjoy a full night of live horse racing entertainment, which includes plenty of dining options, contests on The Tarmac Show, and free kids’ horse education and activities in The NEIGHbourhood under the Tarmac Tent

Kit pick-up starts at 5:30 p.m. under the Tarmac Tent. Post time for the first of 12 horse races is 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies and the running race kick-off at 6:45 p.m. There will be a warm up and a special Mascot Race at a distance of 50 metres before the race.

Following the run, there will be a complimentary snack and awards ceremony for all participants.

Click here to register.

The cost to participate is $20 if you sign up before May 30. After May 30, the cost increases to $25.

Registered runners will receive a free souvenir t-shirt.

For race information, contact Kathy Wade Vlaar at [email protected].

For sponsorship information, or to donate a prize to the event, contact Kelly Spencer at [email protected].

For information about the CRCNSW, contact Karen Goodman at [email protected].

(Grand River Raceway)