Out Run Poverty

 OutRun Poverty, taking place at Carleton University (Anniversary Park),  is a 5 km fun run/walk to raise awareness around global  poverty and the Millennium Development Goals, and to mobilize diverse members of the Ottawa community to take action in response to global poverty. In the year 2000, Canada joined 189 countries in promising to cut global poverty in half by 2015. But in 2010, a child still dies every three seconds from extreme poverty and more than a billion people go to bed hungry every night. We are falling far behind on our Millennium Development Goals, and failing to achieve our commitments to the poorest of the poor. Rooted in a desire to provide Ottawa residents who care deeply about poverty with a family friendly forum in which to demonstrate their support of the MDGs, the Micah Challenge, together with Make Poverty History, CUSO-VSO, the Canadian Federation of Students, and others have joined forces to host “OutRun Poverty”, t he weekend before historic meetings between MDG signatories will take place in New York, and during the UN global days of action, called “Stand Up, Take Action”. What is OutRun Poverty? OutRun Poverty is a family-friendly 5k fun run and community fair hosted by Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History. It will feature dynamic speakers, fun activities for all ages, a poverty awareness and education tent and a pancake breakfast.  The central theme is the “Power of Community” to end poverty both locally and globally. What can Participants expect?  to learn more about the Millennium Development Goals and global poverty eradication efforts
to become familiar with anti-poverty initiatives in Canada
to join other individuals and teams from around the city to express their commitment to ending poverty locally and globally
to participate in great family-friendly activities
to be inspired to take ongoing action When? OutRun Poverty will take place in Ottawa on September 18th, during the international Stand Up, Take Action weekend.  After the fun run, participants are invited to join us for a pancake breakfast, and to tour the booths and tables set up by local and national anti-poverty groups.  There will also be fun activities to partake in – fun for the whole family!   
The Power of Community: Outrun Poverty Teams
Desmond Tutu once said, “If everyone who wants to see an end to poverty, hunger and suffering speaks out at the same time, the noise will be deafening. Politicians will have to listen."  He was convinced that if individuals came together behind the same message, those with decision-making power would not be able to ignore that message. We believe the same is true. For that reason, we are encouraging run participants to gather their fellow students, colleagues, faith-community members and families to form a team to participate in OutRun Poverty. Forming a team will not only allow you to celebrate the day with friends and family, but begin to create a community of people committed to ending poverty that you can continue to work with and learn with. Teams are encouraged to dress up, and make some noise together while they run, walk, and participate in this event. Individuals are of course welcome.  We encourage you, though, to use this event as an opportunity to invite those in your community to join you in sending a message to our leaders. Where can I get more information? About OutRun Poverty:
For more information, please visit www.makepovertyhistory.ca/outrun. About the Stand Up, Take Action weekend: For more information, please visit www.makepovertyhistory.ca/standup Interested in getting involved? 
Registration forms for OutRun Poverty are available on our website at www.makepovertyhistory.ca/outrun