The IRCM Challenge raises over $90,000 for health research in Montréal - The race and walk on Mount Royal benefitting the IRCM Foundation draws 600 participants

MONTRÉAL, May 11, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The sixth IRCM Challenge, a race and walk on Mount Royal benefitting the IRCM Foundation, raised over $90,000 to support health research conducted at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal.

"We are delighted to have surpassed our goal of $80,000, which will allow us to grant eight scholarships to the IRCM's most deserving graduate students and, thus, encourage the future generation of researchers," says Hélène Véronneau, Director of the IRCM Foundation. "We sincerely thank everyone who supported the 2015 IRCM Challenge by participating or making a donation. We also wish to thank all our volunteers for their commitment, whether they were part of the Ambassadors Committee or helped organize and carry out the event."

Approximately 600 people, including top runners and beginners, children and adults, participated in this sporting challenge held on Saturday, May 9. Three courses were offered: a 10-km trail race, a 5-km course on Olmsted Road for runners of all levels and walkers, and a 1-km race for children under 12. The IRCM Challenge thereby promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle to people of all ages.

David Le Porho, the 2015 IRCM Challenge's honorary patron, received the men's gold medal for the 10-km trail race with his running time of 36 minutes 53 seconds, and Claire Doule won the women's gold medal with a time of 46 minutes 19 seconds. For the 5 km race, winners of the gold medal were Vincent-Michel Duval and Catherine Paul.

See you at next year's event on Saturday, May 7, 2016.

About the IRCM
The IRCM (www.ircm.qc.ca) is a renowned biomedical research institute located in the heart of Montréal's university district. Founded in 1967, it is currently comprised of 35 research units and four specialized research clinics. The IRCM is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, and the IRCM Clinic is associated to the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). It also maintains a long-standing association with McGill University. The IRCM is funded by the Quebec ministry of Economy, Innovation and Export Trade (Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et des Exportations).

About the IRCM Foundation
Also created in 1967, the IRCM Foundation (www.ircm.qc.ca/fondation) is an essential partner for the institute. Thanks to individuals who hold dear the IRCM's future, the IRCM Foundation is able to fulfill its mission and support scientific projects, technological development and training activities at the IRCM, thus contributing to the institution's growth and success. Since 2010, the IRCM Foundation has been inviting everyone to participate in the IRCM Challenge (www.ircmchallenge.org) on Mount Royal.

SOURCE Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM)

Image with caption: "Winners of the 2015 IRCM Challenge (men, 10-km trail race): David Le Porho (gold), Raphaël Payo (silver) and Félix Thomas (bronze) © IRCM (CNW Group/Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150511_C3084_PHOTO_EN_16488.jpg

For further information: Julie Langelier, Communications Coordinator, IRCM, 514-987-5555, [e-mail]