Trail runners race to support playground renovations in Hillsborough

More than 40 trail runners came together to support the renovation of a playground in desperate need of upgrades in Hillsborough, N.B., on Saturday morning.

Mark McColgan and his partner travelled from Saint John to participate in the Mastodon Rumbler, which was held at the White Rock Recreational Area.

The race was organized to raise money to update Hillsborough's school playground and make it more safe and inclusive for all children.

Runners had a choice between a 10-kilometre or 20-kilometre loop. McColgan ran the 10-kilometre race.

"Trail running is all about community, I know a lot of people say that in a lot of other areas, but we really mean it here," McColgan said.

"It's very inclusive and I think it's a great idea to get fit, while at the same time, raise money for a good cause."

McColgan, who has been running for about eight years, appreciated an outdoor run as a fundraising event. 

He was also happy that the money was going to help facilitate outdoor activities for kids, he said.

"It's great. It starts kids out young, gets them away from the tablets, the TV and has them playing ... so hopefully some day they'll join us in the woods."

Organizer Chester Dana, a runner himself, said it was his dream to organize a trail race in the White Rock Recreational Area. He'd never hosted a race before, he said.

He said his motivation was to bring a change in Moncton's running scene, which according to him lacks in trail races when compared to other communities. Participants in Saturday's race came from Prince Edward Island, Fredericton, Saint John and the Moncton area.

"I don't think there's anybody from Hillsborough running here," said Dana, who was happy with the turnout.

Before the race, Dana connected with the Hillsborough Home and School Association, a local group that organizes fundraisers for kids' activities, and decided to donate all the proceeds to them.

"We get to go play in the woods so that kids can play on their playground," he said.

Katya Trumbley, the association's treasurer and community co-ordinator, said they're about $13,000 short for Phase 1 of the playground project. 

They hope to achieve their goal of $70,000 through local partnerships and donations by the end of 2025 to get the upgrades started. The total amount required for the new playground is $250,000.

Amanda Milton, the association's president, said a lot of the playground equipment dates back to the 1980s.

"A lot of it is paint chipping off, [equipment is] coming out of the ground — it's just, it's a very dangerous situation," said Milton.

She said the idea is to renovate the playground and make it inclusive for children with sensory sensitivities or disabilities.

"We're going to be adding some musical components, which will be great with kids with autism," she said.

Milton said the potential of injury in the current playground is "severe." She said last winter, teachers had to get hay bales from a local farmer and place them at the base of one of the pieces of equipment to make it safe for kids.

Trumbley said it's a lot of work to raise money for the playground while having other full-time jobs, but she hopes to get the full amount raised by 2027.

Both Trumbley and Milton said their playground seems to have been forgotten when looking at others in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

"Just because we're rural doesn't mean that our children are not worthy of having the best," said Trumbley.