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900+ Turn Out for Cantina Kids Fun Run to Support Children's Health Care at Saratoga Hospital


by Kristin Mosher

Event has raised over $756K since debut in 2008

The 14th Annual Cantina Kids Fun Run drew 911 participants and raised $75,000 to support children's health care at Saratoga Hospital—bringing the total raised to date to over $756,000.

The run returned to Congress Park on June 5 after a two-year Covid-19 hiatus. Presenting sponsor for the event was New Country Motor Car Group.

"We are beyond grateful to the families who came out to support this community event. It was great to see familiar faces and so many new ones," said Heath Ames of Cantina Restaurant. She and her husband, Jeff, conceived the idea for the race and brought it to Saratoga Hospital in 2008.

"From the start, we hoped the Fun Run would make an impact on the quality of pediatric health care for our community, but we never imagined we would reach over $756,000 in donations!" Ames said. "Huge thanks to our sponsors, race participants, and volunteers for making this possible."

Pediatric patients require special equipment and expertise, and the funds raised by Cantina Kids Fun Run assist with both. The proceeds from the event have provided critical training in neonatal resuscitation, pediatric blood draws, pediatric diabetes care, pediatric and adolescent psychiatry practice, and the treatment of pediatric allergic reactions. Funds have also been used to purchase pediatric diagnostic tools, including a video laryngoscope. A portion of the proceeds from previous Fun Runs benefited the campaign for the hospital's Alfred Z. Solomon Emergency Center.

Special thanks to Jeff and Heath Ames, owners of the Cantina restaurant and founders of the Fun Run, as well as to the major event sponsors: New Country Motor Car Group, Millennium Medical Imaging, Adirondack Trust Company, Hunt Real Estate, and WNYT News Channel 13.

Top finishers for this year's Fun Run events were:

  • ¼ Mile Race: Boys
  • First: Jordan Jacques
  • Second: Finn McLaughlin
  • Third: William Beecher

 

  • ¼ Mile Race: Girls
  • First: Emmerson McLaughlin
  • Second: Molly Horst
  • Third: Evelyn Spring

 

  • 1 Mile Race: Boys
  • First: Dylan Wright
  • Second: Hunter Ungeheuer
  • Third: Harrison Ungeheuer

 

  • 1 Mile Race: Girls
  • First: Julianna St. John
  • Second: Dagny Kelly
  • Third: Anna Yarsevich

Saratoga Independent School, with the highest percentage of registered student participants, won the Healthiest School Contest.