The Great Skate is an outdoor race and community fundraising event that began in 2016 to get Winnipeggers out on the River Trail to take advantage of winter and show off their skating prowess.
Since 2020, The Great Skate has been raising funds to support The Dream Factory, and make more dreams come true for Manitoba kids battling life threatening illnesses. In that time, skaters have raised over $48,000 to make Dreams come true; and we’re looking to keep growing that amount with this year’s race!
Every year, the event has grown in popularity and we have seen our Great Skaters come out on days colder than -40C to participate. The Great Skate community is a hardy bunch, and has intentionally chosen the coldest weekend of the year to host their annual race. We will be dressing for the weather and lacing up, even on the coldest of days!
This year's Great Skate is in support of Dream Kid Eli. Eli is a 15-year-old who loves adventure, video games, and his pets (two dogs and a cat). In school, he’s especially enjoying his drafting class, and is hoping to become an architect.
What makes Eli unique however, is a rare genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. His connective tissues aren’t as strong as most people’s, and Eli is prone to dislocating joints. The disorder also comes with common fatigue and pain.
But none of this has stopped Eli from Dreaming BIG! Adventurous Eli’s Dream is to visit Tarragona, Spain to experience the thrill-seeker’s paradise, PortAventura!
“A few years ago, I went to Canada’s Wonderland, which has some really intense roller coasters, and I had a ton of fun,” Eli shared with us. “And then, when I learned that for my Dream I could go anywhere, I decided to find the world’s most intense roller coasters!”
There is no cure for Eli’s condition, but his illness does not dampen his appetite for adventure or make him any less courageous - even when faced with a humongous roller coaster!
With your support, we will be able to make Eli’s Dream a reality! Please consider joining us for this year's Great Skate and raising funds to help make dreams come true for kids like Eli right here in our community fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Thank you for joining us once again for The Great Skate - be safe, dream big, and have fun!