SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Following the fifth annual CIBC Run for Our Lives fundraiser on Sunday afternoon, $89,186 was raised for breast cancer research, services, and equipment in the NWT.

Al Martin, running for Diavik Diamond Mine, powered home the last few metres of the CIBC Run for our Lives fundraiser on Sunday. - Charlotte Hilling/NNSL photo

Wendy Anderson, a member of the CIBC organizing committee, said she thought the number of participants was down from last year, but that many people who could not make the event on Sunday still raised money through other methods.

"We have a lot of people who participate but don't actually come out on run day. They fundraise by getting their heads shaved for example," she said.

Anderson estimated there were about 200 to 250 people present for the event, and despite a $54,494 drop from the amount of money raised last year, she was pleased with the generosity and seamless coming together for the occasion.

"I think it went great. My staff raised over $9,300. I'm really impressed with how the staff pulled together," she said.

"For us on the organizing committee it went very well. We were saying how easy it was this year."

Cheryl Robinson-Houwelling, communications director with Run For Our Lives, was philosophical about the dip in funds.

"I think considering the current economic situation we still did really well in Yellowknife," she said.

"A lot of it could have something to do with the fact that when we were out collecting pledges it was really rainy and ugly in Yellowknife, and who wants to be walking around in the rain?"

The money raised from the events that have and are yet to take place in Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort Simpson, and Hay River, are yet to be tallied for the final number.

Local artist Ann Timmins provided the event's artwork, a painting of the Garden of Hope - a sanctuary on the grounds of City Hall where cancer sufferers, survivors and care givers can find a tranquil spot to reflect.

St. Patrick High School was ground zero for the occasion, and a thick layering of volunteers came out to help make the event run smoothly, with many people giving up their Saturday morning sleep-in to get up early and set up, while others worked all year to get things organized.

Tons of prizes for youth, adult, volunteer, school and corporate fundraisers were dished out, including prizes for pure participation.

In the school teams category $16,046.05 was raised in total, with William McDonald Middle School taking away first prize with an impressive $6,490.05 haul.

Four teams entered the family and friends category, raising a total of $4,212.25, with team Kelly's Heroes taking the honours by raising $1,792.25.

For the fifth year in a row Harley Lang took away the youth fundraiser prize, pulling in $5,065.

Barb Thorburn's $4,225.36 effort earned her the title of highest individual adult fundraiser. BHP Billiton took out the corporate team challenge by raising $17,134.52. In 2005 the CIBC Run for the Cure became the CIBC Run for Our Lives, in order to ensure that funds raised in the NWT remained in the North.

Since then $620,000 has been raised, with 75 per cent of that being used to support northern services and equipment bids, for example the push for a digital mammography machine for Stanton Territorial Hospital.

To date, but not including this year's funds raised, over $193,000 has been set aside for the machine, estimated to cost about $420,000.