A local university student plans to run from Waterloo to Stratford in one day to raise money for a couple of local not-for-profits.
Christopher Kalil, enroled in his fourth year at the University of Waterloo Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, is running campus-to-campus, a nearly 50-kilometre trek through main arteries, back roads and off-road, raising awareness and connecting communities in the process.
The run is scheduled for April 5, starting at 7 a.m.
"One thing I am trying to do with this run is tell people from my generation that it is okay to help...it is good still to hope and do whatever you can and actually act on things, in terms of making an impactful difference."
Kalil researched running a direct route on highways. While some road running will be necessary, he has started mapping out a route that will include more off-road running, mainly for safety reasons, he said.
The student is hoping to raise $1,000, with funds split between Stratford House of Blessing and Stratford/Perth Shelterlink - ultimately helping the area's homeless population. Kalil said he will likely use an app called Charitable Impact to help with the fundraising.
Originally from Burlington but now living in Stratford, Kalil has run two 24-hour marathon runs, with breaks, in the Festival City in the past, raising $770 for the earthquake crisis in Turkey and Syria and just over $500 for clean water in Indigenous communities.
He has started a training regiment to get in shape.
A student in the Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) program at the Stratford campus, Kalil said he has an idea of what direction his career will take after graduation, likely project management, but he's keeping his options open.
While at university, the physical distance between campuses is something he has noticed has affected students.
"In an indirect way (I am) trying to connect the two communities...by running between Waterloo and Stratford it could bridge the gap between the communities."
Kalil hopes to run the distance on April 5, just as the semester is ending. He is getting a volunteer team together, to have some help on the run, including providing water and any needed aid along the route. He hopes to have a finish line of sorts at the Stratford campus.
Anyone interested in donating or helping out can inquire via email at: [email protected]. or through these links:
Charitable Impact group: https://my.
GoFundMe sponsorship page: https://www.gofundme.
