Side by Side for ALS unifies run across Alberta next month

Two longtime Alberta ALS fundraising events are joining forces for a milestone year. Alberta Walk Together for ALS and Betty's Run for ALS are merging into a single event called Side by Side for ALS, taking place across 10 communities throughout the province.

Edmonton's event runs Saturday, June 13, at Rundle Park starting at 9 a.m. Registration is open now, with early-bird pricing available until June 1.

This year marks more than three decades of community support. Betty's Run, the longer-standing event, has raised over $10 million for ALS research, equipment, and client support since its first run in 1997. It was created in honour of Betty Norman, who channelled her own battle with the disease into building a fundraising legacy.

"Side by Side for ALS is all about connection, remembrance, and showing up for one another," said Leslie Ring Adams, executive director of the ALS Society of Alberta. "That legacy continues to guide us as we bring people together across Alberta in a way that reminds everyone impacted by ALS that they are not alone."

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerves responsible for sending messages to the brain. Over time, it impacts a person's ability to move, swallow, and eventually breathe. Despite advances, there is currently no cure.

Edmonton's event welcomes all skill levels and abilities. The day will include live music, a kids' zone, food vendors, awards, and family activities. Whether participants are walking, running solo, or joining a team, all proceeds go toward care and research.

The merger signals a new generation stepping up for a cause that has defined Edmonton's charitable calendar for decades.