Nov 26, 2025
Nov 19, 2025
Top Gun Charity Fun Run Roars Through 1000 Islands This Summer
- BoatBlurb Contributor
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
A Charity Run With a Story Behind It
Within the 1000 Islands region lies the quaint town of Gananoque. Despite being home to only 5000 year-round residents, her small population carries a big influence among boaters. 'Gan' rightfully carries the moniker of "Gateway to the 1000 Islands" with a history dating back all the way to 1789. The influence of the waterway dates back centuries more.
The gateway is metaphorical, of course, but it exists on both land and water, thanks to the Highway 401 corridor to the north and the mighty St. Lawrence River to the south. By land, it's the perfect sidestep from the 401 coming up from Toronto to the southwest, or down from Ottawa to the northeast. The aptly named 1000 Islands Bridge will bring you across from Interstate 81 in minutes from Wellesley Island, New York. By water, the Empire State is quite literally "across the way" via Grindstone Island, the fourth largest in the 1000 Islands chain — a granite-laden outcrop amidst the archipelago dotting the river's uniquely green water. Gananoque literally means "water rising over rocks," giving you the first allusion to the region's deep connection to the water.
Thus, it should come as no surprise the Top Gun Charity Fun Run, running June 19-21, 2026, is coming to one of boating's most beloved playgrounds — bringing with it the heart of the boating community, more horsepower than NASCAR, and a mission to help those in need. This year's event is raising money for two Ontario children's hospitals, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and SickKids in Toronto.
With 'Gan' as the perfect natural setting, it's worth noting the 1000 Islands is the largest hub of high-performance boaters in the northern U.S. It's home to the largest concentration of marine horsepower in Canada, too. As such, it only makes sense a high-performance charity run chooses a place like Gan as its backdrop. Top Gun isn't a random name for a boating event, either. Its impetus began with a personal project to rebuild a Motion 35 FTS to resemble the famous F-14 Tomcat from the beloved 1986 film. The Top Gun Fun Run brings the same spirit and intensity. What started as one family's way of giving back has turned into a chance for the boating community to roll up and throttle down.
What to Expect on the Water
The 2026 iteration starts Friday, June 19th with a meetup and group introductions. The CHEO mascot will be on hand for photos. Participants can arrive at the docks any time between 4-9 pm to complete registration. Live entertainment and a beer garden will run from 4-9 pm.
On Saturday, boats will leave the Gananoque Municipal Marina at 10:00 am and head out into the St. Lawrence River. After a high-tempo ride, teams will stop at Brockville Municipal Harbor for a lunch at the renowned 1000 Islands Brewery. Between the high speed runs, the weekend also includes various dock socials, planned meals, and entertainment. Saturday morning includes a community breakfast, while the Go Gold Gala Dinner on Saturday night is your chance to switch out of your boating gear and don something chic and sophisticated. Registration for the entire weekend is $750 per boat, which includes two participants, plus extra crew member spots are available for $175. All entrants will receive weekend dockage at Gananoque Municipal Docks, Saturday breakfast and lunch dockage at Brockville Municipal Harbor, the Go Gold Gala Dinner catered by Riva Restaurant on Saturday night, plus swag bags and merchandise.
Full Itinerary
Friday
4-9 pm- arrive at docks and registration for participants
4-11 pm- live music and beer garden
Saturday
10-10:30 am- start at Gananoque Municipal Marina on designated route to Brockville
11-2:30 pm- dock at Brockville Harbor and lunch at 1000 Island Brewery (closed lunch for participants only). CHEO mascot on site for photo opportunities and invite the public to view the boats on Block House Island
2:30 pm- head back to Gananoque
6-12 pm-Go Gold Gala dinner at the Firehall Theatre in Gananoque (closed dinner for participants only)
A Boater's Paradise
The 1000 Islands isn't just Eastern Ontario's aquatic hub, it also boasts a stunning scenery for adventure. The area is home to more than 1,800 islands — fed by Lake Ontario to the southwest before unfolding into a mix of charming cottages, open water, and stunning coastline before spilling into the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the northeast. Imagine tall granite shores, thick deciduous forest, quiet anchorages, and a seemingly endless maze of channels and coves. Outside of the Fun Run, boaters can also visit historic sites like Boldt Castle or the 1000 Islands National Park, the latter of which provides all the necessary info for boaters courtesy of National Parks Canada. If you're a hardcore nautical enthusiast, you'll also want to set aside time to explore the 1000 Islands Boat Museum, which hosts a stunning collection of classic wooden boats from both sides of the border. There's plenty of wildlife to see, too. You'll catch bald eagles flying overhead, swans gliding across calm water, and turtles basking on rocky ledges. Along the shoreline, white-tailed deer are everywhere. Just ask the locals. The 1000 Islands is a designated UNESCO biosphere, meaning its unique biodiversity is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
How to Enjoy Your Stay
While the Fun Run may bring you to town for a hot weekend in June, the entire region is a great getaway for those seeking a longer stay. Gananoque is a great hub to bed down, with downtown hotels, easy access to the marina, and a lively small-town feel that gets even livelier on event weekends. Everything is close by, so it's easy to reach the marina, restaurants, and evening events. Those looking to book a trip should check out The Woodview Inn for a cozy experience, the Tru by Hilton for the best downtown access, or the Gananoque Inn for a waterfront vista.
To fill an entire day in Gananoque, which is easy to do, start with a retail adventure at stylish local shops like the Steel Style Garage, The 1000 Islands Trading Co., or the chic and elegant Adorned Home & Lifestyle. When you get hungry, hit up the classically decorated Old English Pub or the upscale Bar Petunia, both on King Street downtown. For the full 1000 Islands experience, consider boating to the 1000 Islands Playhouse to catch a show (the Fun Run will take you there, too, for dinner on Saturday night). The venue features waterfront docks to make it accessible by both land or water. Brockville, just downriver, also brings options for hotels, restaurants, parks, and a charming downtown area that is great for both daytime and nighttime fun. For good dining, reserve a table at The Mill Restaurant — it's popularity speaks to its reputation — or check out the delightfully quaint Anthophile Cafe & Patio on the waterfront in St. Lawrence Park. The perfect lunch spot. If you're a pizza lover, and who isn't, you won't find better in the region than 1000 Islands Pizza on King St. in Brockville.
Outdoor adventurers can expand their horizons with sightseeing boat tours, kayak rentals, and hiking trails. 1000 Island Cruises offers several routes with launches in both Gananoque and Ivy Lea, including a dinner cruise down the St. Lawrence. Rockport Cruises has a 1-hour sightseeing tour from the Ivy Lea that includes a trip around Boldt Castle. If you're looking for a workout, cyclists can get their heart pumping with a down the 1000 Islands Parkway Trail, a 37 km paved route showcasing the area's natural charm. Even if you didn't bring a bike, you can explore the hiking trails on Landon Bay Trail within 1000 Islands National Park, or experience the Rock Dunder in nearby Morton 20 km away, an iconic 230 acre stretch of land with three trails ranging from easy to difficult and a panoramic view of the Rideau Waterway from the peak of the Summit Loop. If you're a real thrill seeker, you can do this all from the sky, too. 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours can show you everything from above. Or from below, if you're into scuba diving and want to dive the region's 1800 marked shipwrecks.
Ready for Takeoff
The Top Gun Charity Fun Run is more than a standout weekend on the water — it’s a chance for the boating community to come together in support of a meaningful cause. Set against one of North America’s most iconic cruising grounds, boaters are assured a weekend to remember. Real boaters know there is nothing like the roar of high-performance engines across open water, and when paired with a chance to raise funds for those in need, it's the perfect reason to throttle down to Gan for the weekend. Registration is already open with limited slots available. Boaters are encouraged to sign up well in advance to secure their spot.
For inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or to register, contact topgunfunrun@outlook.com or visit the event website. Donations can also be made directly in support of the event through CHEO. #news #destinations
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