Coach Charis

Wow!! Inspiring and truly Amazing! Great job to all the participants, volunteers and cheer crowds.
A great event and a beautiful day to rise money for special Olympics.

At 88 and 89, Lillian Colwill and Marion Greenway, are the oldest participants to cross the finish in the 2023 LPS Run.

The fit and feisty seniors, accompanied by Chief Mehdizadeh, completed the 5K route, in support of Special Olympics, an organization near and dear to both of them.

Marion’s son, Ryan Greenway, who suffered a brain injury in his teens while playing football, joined Special Olympics as a youth and competed in events such as disc throwing and bowling. Ryan passed away at age 49 and when Marion saw a post on Facebook advertising the LPS Run, she knew she wanted to honour him by signing up.

“This is my day for Ryan,” she said. “I’m doing this for him.”

Marion immediately asked her good friend, Lillian to join her and she didn’t hesitate to say yes!

The pair met when they moved into a local senior’s lodge and became fast friends. Both women are avid walkers, hitting the pavement daily.

Lillian also has a family connection to Special Olympics. Her nephew and his wife, adopted a child with Down Syndrome. Her great niece is actively involved in Special Olympics in B.C. and Lillian was happy to join her friend and lace up her runners in support of the cause.

As the pair crossed the finished line – in great time too! – local Special Olympics athletes presented them with their medals.

Congratulations Lil, left, and Marion!