Nearly 150 individuals took part in the second annual Ralph Manning Memorial Run hosted by the P.E.I. Physiotherapy Association at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Manning, 50, was a physiotherapist in P.E.I. who died in Oct. 2015 after suffering a heart attack during a recreational hockey game.
Blythe Martin, communications and promotions chair of the association, said Manning had a lasting impact on many P.E.I. athletes.
“It’s hard to come up with words to describe his impact. He was so dedicated and he contributed so much to the sports scene on P.E.I. and the physiotherapy community,” said Martin.
All funds raised in the run went towards KidSport P.E.I. and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Manning was remembered as being committed and dedicated to his work.
Manning and his wife Tara owned and operated the Cornwall physiotherapy centre.
Manning was in his sixth year as the UPEI Panthers’ chief physiotherapist. He was also head therapist with the Island Storm while also working with the Summerside Western Capitals.
Manning was also the athletic therapist for the Toronto Argonauts when they won the 1991 Grey Cup.
Physiotherapist Jennifer Kelly said although she didn’t personally know Manning she has seen the influence he left in P.E.I.
“(I’ve heard he) was an excellent representation of physiotherapy and physiotherapists on P.E.I. and I think he’s greatly missed by everyone in the community,” said Kelly.
Last year saw nearly 400 at the run, although there where likely some who were unable to attend this year due to it occurring on the same day as UPEI’s convocation.
Martin said the group wanted to hold the run in May, which is National Physiotherapy Month, but that all other weekends would have conflicted with other running events in the region.
