Running with Heart: A Q&A with Alicia Tone

If you’ve ever met Alicia, you know she’s the kind of person who shows up; whether it's for science, for community and for the people she loves. She’s a Collingwood native, a mom to one of my son’s oldest and dearest friends (our boys met at age 3 and have been inseparable ever since), and the incredible force behind The Run for Her, a grassroots fundraiser that’s as inspiring as she is.

Alicia founded The Run for Her in 2020, beginning as a solo half-marathon during the early days of the pandemic. Since then, it’s grown into a multi-distance community trail event, raising over $68,000 for Ovarian Cancer Canada with a goal of hitting $100K in 2025. Every single dollar goes to OCC, the only national charity dedicated to overcoming the most fatal cancer affecting women and people born with ovaries.

But Alicia doesn’t just raise funds, she helps lead the fight. She’s been working in the ovarian cancer research field for over 20 years, with a PhD in ovarian cancer biology from the University of Toronto, a post-doc in genomics from BC Cancer and time spent as a Scientific Associate at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. Today, she’s the Director of Research at Ovarian Cancer Canada, where she brings together scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates across the country to push for progress and real change.

She’s brilliant, compassionate, and community-minded. With so much heart behind The Run for Her, we wanted to hear more about how it all started, what the journey has looked like so far, and where Alicia hopes it’s headed next.

Pour a coffee, get cozy and enjoy our chat with the woman who’s turning miles into meaningful change.

Q What inspired you to start The Run for Her back in 2020?

I had just gotten back into running in late 2019 as a way to help both my mental and

physical health and decided to push myself by signing up for the Mississauga half-

marathon in May 2020. When the in-person event was cancelled I knew that I still

wanted to achieve that goal, even if I had to run solo. Making it a fundraiser for Ovarian

Cancer Canada was a spur-of-the-moment idea a few weeks before my run, to make it

more meaningful and provide some extra motivation on the day. I was utterly shocked

and delighted to raise more than $1800 in less than a month, including from people I

had never met.

Q When you ran that first solo half-marathon, did you ever imagine it would grow into what

it is today?

Oh my gosh, not at all. The second year, 2021, was also supposed to be a solo event - I

was doing a 5x5x50 (5km, every 5 hours until I got to 50km) and shared my plans on

social media as part of spreading awareness about ovarian cancer. Running friends

messaged me saying they wanted to join in, even for the late-night runs. Since then, it

has organically grown each year through word of mouth and a growing sense of

community involvement. It sounds silly, but people just started showing up and it

motivated me to start building it into something bigger.

Q Can you walk us through what the run looks like now? eg distances, vibe, the people

who show up?

The overall vibe is inclusive, positive and fun – anyone is welcome, regardless of

gender, skill or pace. The event starts and ends at 3-stage and takes place along the

Bruce Trail, with some pretty epic scenery. Participants can show up as a team or solo,

and choose to run or walk either 5km, 10km, 21km or 31km. We have a central aid

station with music and snacks, homemade race bibs, a Barbie theme and patient

advocates and other volunteers cheering everyone on. We also have awards for the

fastest and final 31 km finishers (“Gazelle” and “Grit” awards), best vibe/outfit (“Spirit”

award), and pushing outside of your comfort zone “Lady Balls” award). And most

importantly for this year – hardcopy Run for Her route maps and port-a-potties!

Q What’s been your favourite moment or memory from a past Run for Her event?

There are so many but one that has really stayed with me was just before the start time

last year. The sun was rising, committee members and patient advocates were standing

beside me, and I was facing close to 100 smiling participants about to welcome them.

There was such a buzz in the air. It was an overwhelming feeling of pride, community

and meaning - I had to take a moment to really take it all in and compose myself before

I started speaking.

Q How does it feel to see this event growing year after year and to know you’ve raised

over $68,000 so far?

It is incredible - and overwhelming, to be honest! I really attribute it to the huge sense of

community in Collingwood. So many individuals and local companies have consistently

stepped up to show support and amplify the initiative in different ways. I feel like the

message and cause are resonating with more people every year. The most rewarding

part is watching my friends, volunteers and patient advocates develop a greater sense

of ownership and pride in what we are doing and forming their own relationships and

reasons for being involved. The members of the Run for Her committee are just as

dedicated to making the initiative a success and invoking change as I am.

Q You’ve been working in ovarian cancer research for over two decades, how has that

shaped your approach to the Run for Her?

I think that the seriousness of my work and the cause has inspired me to make the

actual event day of Run for Her as fun and lighthearted as possible. That is also why I

use such bright colours and lean into the Barbie silliness.

Q What do people usually misunderstand about ovarian cancer?

A big one is the misconception that the Pap test can detect ovarian cancer (it is only for

cervical cancer detection). Also, that ovarian cancer is not one disease (there are many

different types) and that many cases start in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries.

Q How do you balance science, advocacy, motherhood, and organizing a major fundraiser

with such grace, by the way?

Ha, I don’t know if that is always true. A big part of it is asking for help (which can be

hard for me!) and having a supportive partner/family. Having a committee of women

beside me planning the event has also been a gamechanger.

Q How can people who aren’t runners still get involved or support the cause?

I really want to encourage people to register to walk if they are able! The Run for Her is

not like a traditional race, it is more about challenging yourself for a good cause, in a

beautiful setting. They could also volunteer on event day, sponsor or donate.

Q Do you listen to music while you run? If so, what’s your go-to power song or songs?

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast, and other times I like the silence. Some of my

go-to songs are ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ by Whitney Houston,

‘Femininomenon’ by Chappell Roan and ‘Energy’ by Beyonce.

Q Early morning run or golden hour jog?

Early morning! I love the quiet, darkness, and sense of accomplishment at the

beginning of the day. My motivation and energy definitely decrease later in the day.

Q What’s something about you people might be surprised to learn?

Maybe that I am covered in tattoos and am really into playing Minecraft? :)

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If Alicia’s story moved you, now’s your chance to be part of the movement. Run for Her is more than a run. It’s a chance to show up, support, and make a difference for everyone affected by ovarian cancer.

Registration opens June 1.

Run For Her