Kelowna's City Park was filled with hundreds of smiling faces Saturday during the ninth annual Motionball Marathon of Sport Event – a record-breaking fundraising year.

The Motionball charity holds dozens of fundraising events across Canada, raising money for Canadian special Olympic athletes. Participants in Kelowna raised $200,000 this year, smashing the charity's goal of $150,000.

"An unbelievable accomplishment," said Derek Fuhr, event director of Motionball Kelowna. "A true testament to what this city can accomplish when we all come together for a common cause."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual fundraising event was forced to take place only virtually in 2020, but it was back in full force for 2021.

“There were a lot of highs and lows to get this event to happen, there were so many times where we thought we were going to have to pull the pin, and then we were back on again, and then off again and back on again, it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride to make this event happen this year,” said Fuhr.

He added he's grateful for the work that the City of Kelowna and Interior Health put in to help make the event happen.

“We really missed this event last year, the city did as a whole. It was a huge hole in our lives as a result of COVID, and we're just so grateful to be able to pull something like this off again,” Fuhr said. “The energy that's created in the day is something that people remember all year long and it's something that Motionball needs to keep this charity growing.”

Throughout the day, teams of ten compete in a variety of friendly sports and activities – like flag football, street hockey, kickball, ultimate frisbee and more – and special Olympic athletes join up with each team.

“It's important for us to have this tangibility of having the athletes that are actually playing alongside the participants who are raising the funds for them,” Fuhr said. “It's something that creates this relationship between the donor and the cause that is unlike any other charity.”

Those still wanting to donate to the event can do so here.