5K memorial run planned to honour memory of young athlete Rowan Dean
The Brockville Legion Track and Field Club is inviting everyone in the community to race, run, jog or walk 5K to celebrate the late Rowan Dean’s love of running and raise money for a good cause.
Local Grade 11 student and track star Rowan Dean passed away suddenly on Sunday, Sept. 29. His father Rob Dean confirmed via Facebook that Rowan’s heart tragically stopped beating due to a congenital heart issue.
Brockville Legion Track and Field Club members are among many in the community mourning his loss. Coach Laura Sivers, who trained Rowan over the years, told Brockvilleist, “he was an extremely talented cross country runner, as well as a staple chaser, and just a great person to be around. Always a very encouraging and very strong personality on the team.”
She continued, “It’s been a big loss to our group with this tragedy, so we wanted to be able to do something to celebrate his love of running and bring together the running community and all of the people who knew him to be able to run in his honour.”
The event will occur at Memorial Park Brockville on Sunday, Oct. 27 at noon. All proceeds from the 5K will go to establish the Rowan Dean Fund, an initiative that will financially support athletes in their goals of training and competing. Sivers explained, “ He really was a very dedicated athlete who had dreams of succeeding at the local, provincial and national levels, and we know that there are people in our community who have similar dreams who may not have the means to do so. We want to be able to honour his memory by supporting those by enabling more people to chase that dream.”
All proceeds from the registration fee for the run will go towards starting up the fund. Additional donations can be made via e-transfer by contacting the Brockville Legion Track and Field Club.
Sivers reiterated, “Absolutely everyone in the community is welcome to come. It’s an open 5K for all ages. You’re welcome to run, to walk, to jog. It’s not set up as a race. Is set up as a run, to just cover the distance. We know he touched people well beyond just the running community.”
To RSVP for the run and help create light amidst great tragedy, visit www.trackie.com/event/RowanDean5k.