‘Record-breaking’: How much Challenge for Life raised this year

Team Montebruno walks past the finish line of the 2026 Challenge for Life at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg on June 13, 2026. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg)

The 2026 Challenge for Life by CancerCare Manitoba Foundation wrapped up on Saturday, with a “record-breaking” amount of financial support accumulated.

Nearly 1,200 participants gathered at Assiniboine Park’s Lyric Field Saturday morning – braving the chilly weather and walking five-kilometre or 20-kilometre, or exercising for 200 minutes at the park.

This year, more than $3 million has been raised for the foundation thanks to its participants, sponsors and 7,700 donors, according to an email following the event.

“This impacts all of Manitoba,” Patti Smith, president and CEO of the foundation, told CTV News on Saturday.

“All of the funds raised stay in Manitoba and this is, in every way, Manitobans and people actually from out of province doing something big in support of CancerCare Manitoba and the patients we serve.”

The fund will support cancer research, patient support programs, clinical trials, prevention and screening initiatives.

2027 will mark the 20th year of the fundraiser. More information about Challenge for Life can be found online.

With files from CTV News’ Gary Robson