Shoppers Drug Mart® Run for Women - Edmonton 2026

The Shoppers Drug Mart® Run for Women - Edmonton 2026 is a signature community event dedicated to supporting women's mental health. Scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, the run raises critical funds for the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. These funds support innovative research and clinical programs, such as "The Hope" e-therapy platform, which specifically targets perinatal anxiety and depression for women across Alberta and the rest of Canada.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- Venue Location: The event is hosted at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park (13221 Buena Vista Rd NW). Participants are encouraged to arrive by 7:45 AM to allow time for parking and the collective warm-up session starting at 8:50 AM.
• -- Fundraising Impact: The 2026 Edmonton event has set a fundraising goal of $50,000. Currently, the community has raised over $15,980 (32% of the goal). These contributions directly benefit the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Alberta's only dedicated women's hospital and a center of excellence for women's health.
• -- Community Scale: The event currently has 2,360 registered participants, reflecting the strong local commitment to mental health advocacy in Edmonton.
• -- Top Contributors: Individual fundraisers such as Tara Girardin and Elizabeth Robertson, alongside teams like "Fundraising Elite with Fast-ish Feet," lead the leaderboard in supporting the hospital's mental health initiatives.
• -- Registration and Kits: Information regarding Race Kit Pickup and Event Day logistics is provided to all registered participants via the official Race Roster portal. The event is designed for "all ages and all stages," emphasizing inclusivity.
• -- Mission Focus: The Run for Women series focuses on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, which affects women at unique stages of life such as pregnancy and postpartum.
• -- Local Demographics and Representation: Edmonton is one of Canada's most diverse cities, with a population exceeding 1 million. According to 2021 Census data, approximately 35% of Edmonton’s population identifies as a member of a visible minority group. The largest groups include South Asian (approx. 110,000 people), Chinese (65,000), Filipino (64,000), and Black (55,000) communities. Additionally, about 6% of the population identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit). These demographic groups are statistically represented within the event's diverse participant base and healthcare outreach programs.
• -- Health Statistics: Mental health initiatives supported by this run address critical needs; statistically, 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, with perinatal depression affecting approximately 15% of new mothers in the Alberta region.

The Shoppers Drug Mart® Run for Women - Edmonton 2026 offers a powerful opportunity for the community to come together at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park to set a new standard in women's mental health care and healing.