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REGINA — Carter Armstrong is currently running across Canada to raise money for mental health.
Armstrong, who stopped in Regina on Tuesday, talked about his motivation for the long journey.
“I'm just trying to create a safe space for people to talk and hopefully inspire someone to keep pushing. And kind of doing the physical embodiment of the struggle someone goes through.”
Armstrong is raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association through his own GoFundMe, which has a goal of $30,000.
The idea for his journey came from a quick decision, with little time to prepare for the run.
“I did about a month and a half of training before. I decided this was like a spur-of-the-moment thing. And I was like, 'I'm going to do it. And I'm going to figure out how to do it.'”
Armstrong started running on April 10 in Vancouver. He will work his way east through the Prairies before he reaches his endpoint in Dryden, Ont., where he lives.
During his run, Armstrong said his body was struggling with the toll of running long distances.
“I did 60 kilometres, 45, and then 35. And on day three, my body shut down. It was like enough's enough. So then I've got some help from people just reaching out and being like, 'Hey, if you want to finish this, you've got to listen a bit.'”
Armstrong managed to keep going, receiving lots of help from strangers along the way.
“From people taking my bag, so I don't have to run with a 50-pound bag to get me to a hotel or just take me in. I've stayed at people's houses, and they've cooked me a home-cooked meal."
The kindness shown to him gave Armstrong “a million reasons to keep going.”
His journey continues Tuesday night in Regina, as he will be joining the Fat Fathers Run Club.
Afterwards, Armstrong will head east towards White City, followed by Indian Head.
Armstrong is still roughly $11,000 away from his target, and encouraged people to donate here.
– With files from Mark Johnston
