Carbonear fundraiser Randy’s Run gaining steam

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As friends, family, former students and runners generally recharge and celebrate after just completing the annual Randy’s Run fundraiser in Carbonear, all are already looking forward to the 10th anniversary of the event next year.
Starting at Carbonear Collegiate, the run is held in memory of the late Randy Ralph, a former teacher at the school. The funds go to a scholarship that is awarded yearly to a graduating student who embodies Ralph’s values and spirit. His daughter, Victoria Ralph, and her husband, Steve Hatt, are members of the Randy’s Run committee.
Ralph had taught and coached in a number of communities before coming to Carbonear Collegiate in 2002. He was very athletic, participating in hockey, wrestling, triathlons, and other sports. Everywhere he taught, he promoted sports and inclusivity. He particularly liked wrestling, said Victoria, because it was an accessible sport that required little equipment. Ralph and some other teachers across the province worked to promote the sport.
Ralph was also fond of running because it’s such an accessible sport, requiring little in the way of special equipment and costs. He and some of his fellow Carbonear Collegiate teachers started the Harvest Run, that brings thousands of students from across the Avalon to Carbonear every year.
“He had a very good outlook on life and a positive attitude, and I feel like that kind of followed him wherever he went,” Victoria said.
People still like sharing their positive memories of Ralph, Hatt added. “Stories of the way that Victoria’s dad impacted them and provided mentorship or guidance or was a role model in one way or another,” Hatt explained. “And I think sport was almost his vehicle for doing that.”
Ralph died on April 19, 2016 in a motor vehicle accident. One of his colleagues was also killed in the accident, and others were injured. That June, Carbonear Collegiate teacher Pamela Whelan started the fundraiser, Randy’s Run. She organized the event each year until 2023, at which point she decided to pass the torch. That’s when Victoria and Hatt volunteered to organize a committee for the event. It is comprised of about a dozen people who meet a few times a year to plan the run.
“Basically, the committee was just to ensure that the race continues on to provide money for that scholarship in his name,” said Victoria.
The couple moved to Ottawa last year, but that has not hindered the event’s organization. “That’s why the committee’s also great because they’re present within the community,” said Victoria.
The committee promotes inclusivity for anyone who wants to be physically active.
“It allows people to get together in the community to participate in physical activity and a welcoming atmosphere and raise money for the scholarship,” said Victoria.
While the five-kilometre course is called a run, many people walk it, some with strollers or dogs. Some even bike it. This year, there were t-shirts for sale, and people who donated $20 received a free mug. Funds raised by the race always go directly into the scholarship, which is typically valued at $1,000. After the race, there was a pancake breakfast, with proceeds going to the Unified Special Olympics program which Ralph was also passionate about.
Next year is the 10th anniversary of Ralph’s passing and the organizers have high hopes. “Hopefully next year will be the biggest and best race yet,” said Victoria. “But mainly when we say, ‘biggest and best,’ we just want it to be inclusive, welcoming, fun, and safe. That’s kind of what we’re looking for.”
She and Hatt hope that, in the future, they can use Randy’s Run to bring more attention to the dangers of distracted driving. Due to the active wildfires in the province, it was difficult to get anybody from the RCMP or fire departments involved in the race this year, but the couple would like distracted driving awareness to become a bigger component of the race next year and hope to include a presentation about it.
Having the race at Carbonear Collegiate is an opportunity to teach young people about the dangers of distracted driving, Hatt added.
In the meantime, Victoria and Hatt have established the Randy Ralph Memorial Foundation, with Randy’s Run being the main event. They are trying to get charitable status, which would allow them to secure larger donations. With more proceeds they might be able to fund additional scholarships or donate to other causes that Ralph supported.