Get ready to stretch, sweat, sing, and laugh as the University of Windsor’s Toldo Lancer Centre hosts the kickoff day of a fitness fundraiser to help local Black families.

Dubbed the Movement Marathon, the event invites individuals or teams of up to four members to participate in activities such as yoga, kickboxing, spin classes, and more. Activities run for four consecutive hours daily, with participants taking part in as many sessions as they wish.   

The Movement Marathon, which runs Nov. 11 to 13, is a fundraiser for Family Fuse, a non-profit organization that helps Black parents, guardians, and caregivers navigate the education system, offering free workshops and free one-on-one coaching to help families inspire the Black leaders of tomorrow.

Family Fuse program manager Christie Nelson said she is thrilled the University of Windsor is hosting the first day of the event.

“The Toldo Lancer Centre is a wonderful location,” Nelson said. “It’s a beautiful space in which to bring people together.”

The Toldo Lancer Centre is the University of Windsor’s new state-of-the art recreation facility. It boasts a triple gymnasium, a fully accessible pool, walking track, badminton courts, and multiple rooms of fitness equipment for classes or individual workouts. Anyone from the community can become a member.

Sandra Ondracka, UWindsor’s co-ordinator of recreation services, said the Toldo Lancer Centre is perfectly suited to host the Movement Marathon.

“We are fully accessible, so people of all abilities, including those who use wheelchairs or needing accommodations or modifications, can participate.”

The Toldo Lancer Centre can host the Movement Marathon thanks to a grant from IG Wealth Management. The Movement Marathon is one of several community initiatives made possible by the financial planning company’s $20,000 contribution.

The Movement Marathon begins at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the Toldo Lancer Centre, with a get-together at Rock Bottom bar and grill after the first day wraps up at 8 p.m. The event moves to Windsor Family Homes and Community Partnerships at 900 Howard Ave. on Nov. 12 and 13.

Registration is $100 per team or $25 per person. The deadline to register is Nov. 7. Family Fuse is accepting donations and selling clothing and other merchandise as part of the fundraiser.

For more information or to register, visit the Family Fuse website.

—Sarah Sacheli