Running with the Bulls Returns this Summer

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Wednesday, 18 June 2025 07:16

The event supports families going through financial struggles following a cancer diagnosis.

TILLSONBURG - Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls is back for another year.

It will takeover the Trans Canada Trail in Tillsonburg on Saturday July 19th this year.

Tamara Bull started Running with the Bulls last year, to support families going through financial struggles following a cancer diagnosis. This was inspired by her own experience, after her adult son Nathan Bull was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. He was told to go to the United States for an expensive treatment, and the community donated thousands of dollars through a GoFundMe page to make it happen.

Nathan underwent surgery just over six months ago. He had a checkup three weeks ago and is cancer free today.

Tamara ran the inaugural event on her own in 2024 with help from many sponsors. She still has lots of sponsors this year, but she has also partnered with the Kindred Foundation. This means those who donate to the cause will be eligible for a tax receipt.

All of the funds raised at the event will be going to the Kindred Foundation's ULink Patient and Family Fund. It's for infants, children, and young adults under 30 and it helps them cover additional costs related to a cancer diagnosis. Tamara says this includes certain medications lodging and travel.

"For example with the situation with our son where we were told we had to go to the United States, we can cover up to $2,000 of travel expenses per family."

She adds the funds raised in Tillsonburg will continue to support local families.

"The funds I raise locally, my local families have priority first. The Kindred Foundation supports Canada-wide, but my local families get priority."

The event on July 19th will have the 10K at 8:00 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m. and the 1K Kiddie Trot at 9:30 a.m. Tamara says they're also introducing a 2K memorial walk at 10:00 a.m.

"What I noticed last year was there were people who weren't runners but wanted to be in that comforting environment of others that have experienced cancer and wanted to walk some of the 5K. This year I thought we should do something to honour those families and make it a complete community event."

You can purchase special flags for the memorial walk, and personalize them in memory or honor of a cancer warrior in your life. The flags cost $5 and they can be placed along the walk route or you can carry it with you. Either way, you are welcome to take your flag home at the end of the event.

Registration for the run costs $64 right now, but that will go up to $74 after June 29th. Those who register for the 5K or the 10K will receive a race kit that includes a t-shirt, a bib and a medal.

It's free to participate in the 1K Kiddie Trot and the 2K Memorial Walk, but families do have to register their children for the Kiddie Trot ahead of time.

You can find more information about Tillsonburg Running with the Bulls on their website or Facebook page.

Tamara Bull stopped by the Heart FM studio to chat with Dan and Marcie on Tuesday June 17th. You can listen to the full interview below: