The Peterborough Butterfly Run Returns

April 26th, 2026.

Celebrating Its 10th Anniversary!

To register or donate, please click here

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF), in partnership with our race committee and the Partners In Pregnancy Clinic (PIPC), are excited to announce that the Peterborough Butterfly Run 5K Run/Walk is returning to Millennium Park April 26th, 2026.  For those who are unable to join us on April 26th, but would still like to support, a virtual option is also available.  Registration is now open through https://PeterboroughButterflyRun.itsyourrace.com/

 “This year is the 10th anniversary of the inception of the run.  To mark this milestone, our theme this year is gratitude” said Ashley Hickson and Kori Zwarych, Co-chairs of the Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee.  “We want to say thank you to the Peterborough community that has supported the run.  Thank you to the volunteers and past committee members who have worked to make it happen.  And most important, thanks to every runner, walker, donor and sponsor who has shown their support for the mission of the run.  More then anything, the Peterborough Butterfly Run is about community.  It takes a caring community to have an event reach a milestone like this.”

“It is both humbling and gratifying to see the impact that the Peterborough Butterfly Run has made of the past 10 years.”  said Vince Bierworth, Executive Director for Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF), organizers of the event.  “This will be my 5^th year being part of organizing the event.  I have seen so many people in that time take it upon themselves to do whatever they can to support those who have experienced loss in our community.  There is no other way we could mark the 10^th anniversary of the event then to turn the spotlight on the community that has supported it and say thank you.”

“The Partners in Pregnancy Clinic is deeply grateful for the support items made possible through funds raised by the run” said Tracy Condon, Social Worker with the Partners in Pregnancy Clinic. “Being able to provide patients with a care package or book that they can turn to between appointments offers meaningful, ongoing support as they navigate their loss.”

The run route will remain the same as in previous years, with registration opening at 9am, the 1K Kids Fun Run starting at 10am, 1K Memorial Walk starting at 10:20am, opening ceremonies at 10:45, and the 5K chip timed run/walk starting by 11am.  The Memorial Walk will remain free as in previous years, with 1km Kids Fun Run registration at $5 and the 5K Run/Walk registration at $45, plus applicable fees.  All registrations include a medal and customizable race bib.  5km Run/Walk participants who register before the April 6th, 2026, deadline will also receive a race shirt and various other items in their race kit.

Registration is available online at https://PeterboroughButterflyRun.itsyourrace.com/ or in-person at Runner’s Life 174 Charlotte Street, Peterborough, ON. We are also excited to announce that Dave Dame from Runner’s Life will be the race director for this year, utilizing his years of experience to make sure the event day runs as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, 900 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers.  Proceeds will support Bereavement retreats, in partnership with Hospice Peterborough, which began in 2025.  Money raised at the race is also invested back into the race day itself as keeping costs affordable for participants, continuing to offer the free 1km Memorial Walk/Run, providing memorial bibs to all runners to write a personalized name or message, and the display of memorial banners are all important aspects to creating the sense of community that the Peterborough Butterfly Run has become known for.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you’d like to find out more, please email Vince@GPHSF.ca or PTBOButterflyRun@gmail.com.  More details always available at www.ptbobutterflyrun.ca

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, more than 800 bereavement kits have been provided to families and individuals by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team and PRHC.  

Our Bereavement kits are put together and distributed by a group of volunteers. They contain comfort items, memorabilia, and grief support. They are distributed by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team, PRHC, local physicians and mental health clinicians. They may also be requested by email at ptbobutterflyrunkits@gmail.com 

For more details email  Vince@GPHSF.ca

Contact the GPHSF: