Get your running shoes and your sweet tooth ready. The 2025 John Wichers Manitoba Runners Association (MRA) Family Ice Cream Run Series is making its Morden debut on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:00 pm. in Morden Park. This fun-focused event brings families and community members together for a casual walk or run with ice cream waiting at the finish line. The Morden stop is part of a six-run series hosted by the MRA, with four events in Winnipeg and two in rural Manitoba. This year, Niverville and Morden were chosen to host. “They’re designed to be just a fun evening,” says MRA Executive Director Kathy Wiens. “We get a lot of families out just to enjoy the evening and to get out and move, which is really our primary concern.” “It’s very low cost. That was a priority for us because we wanted to make it accessible to as many people as possible.” - Kathy Wiens Executive Director of MRA The ice cream motivation Getting active can feel like a chore, but when ice cream is involved, people show up. “If you tell them that if they do the run, they get ice cream at the finish line... a lot of them really enjoy that,” Wiens says. “It’s really great to see the kids.” The post-run reward will come from Morden Dairy Queen, which stepped in to supply frozen treats at a reduced rate, helping the event stay affordable for families. “We like to try and support local businesses wherever we go,” Wiens adds. Related stories: 100KM, 15 loops, 1 mission: Lee Siemens runs for Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre Walk & Run to Remember blows past expected milestone, sets new participant record Remembering John Wichers The run series carries the name of John Wichers, a well-loved volunteer and advocate in Manitoba’s running community. “He was sort of a volunteer extraordinaire,” Wiens explains. “He was anywhere and everywhere, and he had a particular love for children.” Wichers worked for the Children’s Rehab Foundation, where he built and modified equipment like bikes and scooters to help kids with mobility challenges. “He just loved to see a smile on the kids’ faces when he could help that child be more mobile,” Wiens says. At the ice cream runs, he was often seen mingling with kids and cheering them on. “We thought it was very fitting to name our ice cream runs after him.”' Bring the family and maybe the cat The event is built for all ages and abilities. “Strollers are welcome, dogs on leashes as long as they’re well behaved are welcome,” says Wiens. “You certainly can” bring your cat on a leash too, she laughs. Families can register for just $30, covering up to seven people. “It’s very low cost,” Wiens says. “That was a priority for us because we wanted to make it accessible to as many people as possible.” Why Morden? With over 60 MRA-sanctioned races scheduled across the province this year, the organization is making a point to reach beyond Winnipeg. “We’re the Manitoba Runners Association, not the Winnipeg Association,” Wiens says. “We don’t have any events in Morden… so we decided to move there just to introduce the MRA to the people in Morden.”