Confidence a big part of Dare 2B Challenged event

Runners leave from the starting line.

On your mark, get set…celebrate.

The starting line at this year’s Dare 2B Challenged welcomed over 300 participants Sunday morning and once again it was a reason to be calm, show courage and above all, confidence.

An annual event to celebrate physical fitness for girls and women, for the third consecutive year it was held at Amherstburg’s Holiday Beach Conservation Area.

“I have a four-year-old daughter and I want to be a positive force in her life. It shows I want to be active and healthy,” said Windsor’s Ashley Kovacs.

Kovacs ran the 5km through the picturesque park and acknowledged that the event is an opportunity for girls and women of all ages and abilities to keep moving and support each other.

“I did this last year. I had fun and I like the female empowerment,” she added.

Dare 2B Challenged was started in 2020 by Barb Pollard. For the past three years it has been in Amherstburg and before that, at the Harrow Soccer Complex.

“It started in my back yard to keep people active and fit,” said Pollard who was the race director on Sunday.

The event is meant to provide girls and women with opportunities to explore new parts of themselves, evolving and striving towards fitness goals.

“There is a need for sense of community and women coming here. This is a place where we can inspire each other,” added Pollard.

All the proceeds went to Girls Organizing and Learning Sports (GOALS) which is a local non-profit group that helps underserved girls participate in sports in Windsor-Essex.

“I do it to support the cause,” said Harrow’s Kaylee Allen.

Allen did the 5km walk and was joined by her eight-year-old dog Buddy.

Former world champion boxer Kara Ro who now teaches MMA said that GOALS played a big part in her daughter being able to play football. 

“We really want to keep young girls involved in sports and turn them into leaders,” said Ro.

Life coach and author Kristi Simons got the participants ready prior to the 9 a.m. start and said Dare 2B Challenged gives everyone a chance to celebrate each other and to come out of their own comfort zone.

“Today there is so much we need to be celebrating,” said Simons.

Sunday’s event also included a 90-minute outdoor fitness class led by Movati Athletic of Amherstburg.

Jessica Laba-Kaczmarek had lots to celebrate as she won the 10k for the second straight year, leading 66 runners with a time of 41:44. Amherstburg’s Kelly Kennedy was not far behind, with a time of 49:01 and Sarah Wong was eighth at 51:10.

Jessica Laba-Kaczmarek defended her title as the fastest in the 10km race.

Megan Prsa was first across the finish line in the 5km at 21:47. Amherstburg’s Marija Lelas was sixth at 25:53 and Violet Greco came in 12th at 26:26. Taking the 5km walk was Amy Poole at 44:18 and Bonnie Desjardins of Amherstburg was ninth at 48:13.

Confidence a big part of Dare2B Challenged event

By Fred Groves