More than 400 people, including teams of community members and Special Olympians, gathered at Cape Breton University’s Ness Timmons Soccer Field on June 21 for the annual Motionball Marathon of Sport. This year’s event raised a record-breaking $85,000 for Special Olympics, surpassing last year’s total of $74,000. Contributed/James ForseyArticle content Christie Aucoin is greeted by high-fives and cheers as she enters the field to start this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport. Contributed Photo/James ForseyTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt was another record-breaking year for the Motionball Marathon of Sport in Cape Breton. This year’s event raised $85,000 for Special Olympics, surpassing last year’s total of $74,000.Article contentArticle contentHowever, organizer Ethan Merlin said the true measure of success was the smiles he saw on the faces of the 300 participants, 60 Special Olympics athletes and volunteers who gathered at Cape Breton University’s Ness Timmons Soccer Field on June 21 to celebrate and support inclusivity while competing in a wide range of sports and activities, including beach volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, bocce, cornhole and ball pong.Article contentArticle content Ethan Merlin picks up Owen Long for a hug during this year’s Cape Breton Motionball Marathon of Sport. Merlin and Long grew up next to each other in Sydney River and their lifelong friendship inspired Merlin to become involved as a Motionball organizer. Contributed/James ForseyArticle content‘ENDLESS SUPPORT’Article content“Although seeing a total of $85,000 on the big cheque is a nice touch, it’s so much more than raising money. To me it represents the endless support we receive and the love we have for our Special Olympics Cape Breton community,” said Merlin, who first became involved with Motionball as a student at Riverview High School then went on to organize events while he was a student at Dalhousie University before becoming co-director of the local event in 2023.Article content Josh Burke celebrates as his teammates cheer him on during one of the games at this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport. Contributed Photo/James ForseyArticle content“It’s incredible to set these fundraising goals year after year and to meet or surpass them on a constant basis is fantastic, but that’s only a small part of why we do what we do. If we can successfully have an event every year, and create an energetic, fun, loving, atmosphere for our local Special Olympics athletes, then what more can we ask for?Article content Nico Georghiou runs with the ball during one of the games at this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport. Contributed/James ForseyArticle content“I sometimes put too much pressure on myself and the committee to reach these fundraising goals or ours but in the end, that’s not what I’m proud of and/or celebrate. It’s the smiles on the faces and how we were responsible for gathering 400-plus community members to come celebrate our friends at Special Olympics. For our support to continue, it’s important to keep our community excited and engaged each year.”Article contentArticle content Josh Fitzgerald-Schryer is all smiles as he is runs out of the tunnel during the start of this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport at CBU’s Ness Timmons Soccer Field. Contributed Photo/James ForseyArticle contentOVERWHELMING JOYArticle contentMerlin said that excitement and engagement was on full display during this year’s Motionball event.Article content“The atmosphere is honestly like no other! Each year I forget what the Marathon of Sport feels like and each year that radiant energy keeps getting stronger. You’d be hard-pressed to walk around during our event and find someone not smiling ear to ear, cheering, singing, or laughing. Seeing people that excited — dancing, giving out hugs and high-fives at 8 a.m. on a Saturday — isn’t something you come across every week. It speaks to the impact our Special Olympics community has.Article content Will Rudderham concentrates as he tosses the beanbag during a game of cornhole at this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport. Contributed Photo/James ForseyArticle content“It truly is the best day of the year. You become overwhelmed with joy and totally forget about any of the negatives that may be happening in your life. You become absorbed by the moment and never want the day to end. Seeing people build new friendships and rekindle old ones is truly special.Article content Cape Breton Motionball Marathon of Sport organizer Ethan Merlin, left, and Ryan Delaney share a laugh at this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport. Contributed/James ForseyArticle content“I’ve said this before but the best word to describe it is love. The love is what brings me back every year and no level of stress could take me away from it. It reminds me why we do what we do and that these are the things that are important in life and to happiness.”Article content Ryan Delaney throws the beanbag during a game of cornhole at this year’s Motionball Marathon of Sport. Contributed Photo/James ForseyArticle content
‘It truly is the best day of the year’: Cape Breton Motionball event raises $85,000 for Special Olympics
