HONEYWOOD -- The grassroots movement to halt a proposed mega quarry in Melancthon Township is holding a top-caliber sporting event to raise money this summer.

All profits will go towards the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) to help pay for scientific studies, legal fees and other expenses.

Veteran race organizer Maria Burton, a logistics supervisor at the Vancouver Olympics and world-class adventure racer, is spearheading the first annual STOMP the MEGA QUARRY event.

"The land around the proposed mega-quarry is some of the most beautiful in Ontario, what with high rolling hills, water everywhere and rich farmland," says Burton, who is based in Rosemont, Ontario. "Getting people to come experience that firsthand is a powerful way of creating a much deeper connection with an issue that many identify with, but have not yet connected on a personal level."

The Saturday, July 28th run/bike/walk event, open to all ages and abilities, is expected to draw a great number of supporters and sporting enthusiasts.

"We're aiming for 2,500 participants," says Burton, "but given the success of FOODSTOCK last October, we may exceed that number. Either way we're ready and it's bound to be a great event."

STOMP the MEGA QUARRY registration includes a donation to NDACT, with entries costing between $25 for children and $110 for the full marathon. Pledge forms are available at www.ndact.comand those who register and raise

$200 or more in sponsorships can participate for free.

STOMP the MEGA QUARRY will form part of the 47th annual Honeywood summer celebration. Race entry includes a T-shirt and post-race barbecue meal prior to the classic Honeywood Beef Barbecue taking place later in the evening.

Routes for the 5 km, 10 km, half marathon and marathon races are mapped out and take full advantage of the area's rolling landscape and scenic vistas.

In 2011, the Highland Companies-- backed by Boston hedge fund Baupost Group -applied for a license to excavate the largest quarry in the country. It would span 2,316 acres north of Orangeville, an area that includes a significant amount of Class 1 farmland.

In just over a year, the Stop the Mega Quarry movement has blossomed from a core group of farmers and residents from Melancthon Township to the Ontario Legislature, as a growing number of people raise concerns about the impact the proposed mega quarry would have on water, farmland and the environment. "We've united country and city on this critical issue," says rancher Carl Cosack, Chairman of NDACT. "This is a big issue, now backed by a big movement."