The Sedin Family Foundation is a backer of Adopt-A-School, which helps teachers feed and clothe children in need of immediate help
Four hockey Olympians, and about 500 other racers of various shapes, sizes and abilities — from children to the super fit — spent a brilliant Sunday morning grinding their way up Grouse Mountain.
Every step they took benefited impoverished children.
Billed as the Sedin vs. Sedin race with twins Daniel and Henrik going head-to-head to see who made it to the top first, the event was a fundraiser conceived by the brothers to benefit The Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School campaign, which is now underway for 2026.
Organized by the Sedin Family Foundation, and supported by Grouse Mountain Resort, the event raised $85,000, or $10,000 more than anticipated.
Since 2011, AAS has provided $17 million to schools across the province allowing teachers to feed, clothe and provide other necessities for children in need of immediate help.
Applications this fall from schools for AAS funds say the increasing cost of food and housing is driving more families into poverty, especially those on income assistance or with low-wage jobs.
It is the plight of those children and families that framed remarks by Daniel and Henrik prior to the race.
“We want to thank The Vancouver Sun. It’s a great cause, Adopt-A-School,” said Daniel. “They do so much work in public schools around Vancouver and B.C. and we are happy to be partners with them.”
Along with Daniel and Henrik on a small stage at the base of Grouse before the race were Trevor Linden, a former Vancouver Canucks captain and teammate, and Jenn Gardiner of the Vancouver Goldeneyes — all former Olympians.
Also throwing his support behind Adopt-A-School was singer and songwriter Michael Bublé.
“I’m excited to be here,” Bublé, a Burnaby native, told the crowd. “I’m so proud of this initiative. I love my city, I love the kids and I’m a huge fan.”
He then led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” for the Sedins, whose birthdays were on Saturday.
The Sedin Family Foundation has supported AAS for several years. Rural schools in the north of the province seeking help to buy food and clothes last school year received $126,000 thanks to a donation from the Sedins.
Gardiner said there was no better way of giving back to the community “than doing it in our own backyard on Grouse Mountain.”
“It means a lot to us and hopefully it will make a difference in somebody’s lives.”
Linden said the Sedins were “pillars of this community” and Adopt-A-School “is something that is obviously very important within this province.”
He was there to support the race “because it’s for a great cause.”
At about 9:45 a.m., the Sedins — now co-presidents of the Vancouver Canucks — set off against each other up Grouse. About 500 other runners, split between Team Daniel and Team Henrik, followed in waves behind them.
Hundreds more took a gondola to the top to enjoy a family fun day with the Sedins as the runners reached the top.
Daniel crossed the finish line in 42 minutes and 39 seconds, less than a minute ahead of Henrik’s 43 minutes and 21 seconds.
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Sedin vs. Sedin Grouse Grind Challenge Event Highlights – September 27, 2026
