Team leader not happy after Iqaluit Run For The Cure cancelled

The annual CIBC Run For the Cure did not happen in Iqaluit Sunday after the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation cancelled it Friday, citing "logistical challenges."

The event raises money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Iqaluit's version of Run for the Cure has been going on for eight years.

Some people who had planned on taking part were upset by the last-minute cancellation. Janine Budgell, who had put together a team of 25 for the event, says she takes part to remember her mother who survived breast cancer.

"I was really quite angry," she said. "I wasn't overly nice to the representative who called me."

"I felt really uncomfortable with the fact that they had allowed me to mislead our team into collecting donations for an event that isn't going to happen."

Daniel Albahary was also planning to participate in the run. 

"We weren't given any information why it had been cancelled and to this moment I'm speaking to you, we're not entirely sure why it's been cancelled," he said.

Albahary says he and other runners are upset that they didn't get a chance to run in the event. 

A news release issued Friday by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation said the decision to cancel was made "after assessing the readiness of the Iqaluit site."

"There has to be permits available to wherever the runs are going to take place," said Liz Viccars, CEO Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Prairies and N.W.T. region.

"There has to be work with the community to ensure that there's transportation at the site available, that food and beverage at the site is available."

Viccars added it was not possible to send 23 volunteers to the event in Iqaluit.

She says they hope to start planning the Iqaluit event earlier to make it happen for next year.