I would like to tell you a bit more about myself and things in my life that have inspired me to initiate my Winnipeg Street Run 5000K project. In 2006 while trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp, I unknowingly experienced a heart attack, and then had a second heart attack at the age of 49 when I returned home in May of that year. At that time, I received one stent at the Saint Boniface Hospital, which doctors expected would allow me to go on with life. Unfortunately my quality of life was not very good, so I finally received two more stents at the end of January in 2008. This provided me with the energy and desire to pursue a healthier lifestyle and by Father’s Day of that same year, I completed my first Manitoba half marathon. I continued running with the hopes of completing a half marathon in every US state and a full marathon in every Canadian province. To date, I have run 18 full marathons and 70 half marathons. I also have a dream to run all of the World Major Marathons which include Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo. So far, I have run Chicago and Berlin, and will be running New York in November 2023. During the Covid pandemic, which temporarily brought about a halt to in-person running events, I would sign up for virtual runs and kept running on Winnipeg streets. In early 2022, while thinking of a way to put my running to good use I soon became obsessed with running all of the streets in Winnipeg – hence, the birth of “Winnipeg Street Run 5000K”. I decided on a start time that would allow me to complete the ambitious task by the 20th anniversary of my heart attack which will be in May 2026, giving me a total of 36 months. Winnipeg has close to 5000 streets with a distance of about 4000 km. I add about 25% to allow for all of the doubling back, thus the 5000K. Winnipeg to Vancouver, and back to Dryden, On. I am thrilled to add “Winnipeg Street Run 5000K” to my list of goals. I have recently set up a charity fundraising team and we are working closely with the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation to get this initiative underway soon. For the most part, I have been a solo runner which is mainly because of a hearing problem and I have great difficulty communicating while running or in a group setting. Regardless, I am still excited to have people join me for some runs. I invite you to follow this challenge via this Facebook group. Hopefully I can keep the page interesting by posting pictures that will capture the vibe of the Winnipeg streets. My Facebook group is similar to the crowds at a marathon since it is the encouragement from my supporters that motivates me to go on, be it through reactions or comments to the postings. Let’s all enjoy this exciting and challenging journey together. Of course, any financial donations to my charity will be greatly appreciated.
