Shoppers Run for Women
A 10K in support of women’s mental health, an official 53:54 finish and two Strava segment PRs along the way.
On June 20, I ran the Calgary Shoppers Run for Women 10K in an official chip time of 53:54. Strava recorded 10.18 km in 54:19, including a 53:14 best-effort 10K and two segment PRs. I was pleased with that result—especially because this race was about more than a time.
The Calgary event raises funds through Calgary Health Foundation for two local resources: the Calgary Eating Disorder Program and Women’s Mental Health services. The 2026 race brought together 1,770 participants and raised more than $72,000 for the foundation.
The national Run for Women series began in 2013. By 2026, it had raised more than $27 million for local women’s mental-health programs through events in 18 Canadian communities. That support helps fund care, peer support, research and initiatives that reduce stigma.
Physical activity is not a cure-all, but it can support mental well-being. Regular movement can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve overall well-being. For me, personal-best goals add another layer: they make progress tangible and show that consistency can change what once felt out of reach. The comparison is not with anyone else, but with an earlier version of myself—and that can be a real boost to self-confidence.
That combination is what made this race especially meaningful: moving for my own well-being while helping fund care and support for women in my community.
If the activity does not appear, view this run on Strava .