In May, Mike Hanson and Dave Morin, two Alberta runners, are setting off on an extraordinary mission. They plan to run 10 marathons in 10 days, covering all 10 Canadian provinces. Their aim? To raise $1 million to empower youth and provide resources for children in need, focusing on organizations like KidSport, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society.
10 marathons, 10 days, 10 provinces
Beginning in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and wrapping up in Calgary, Alta., the duo will run a total of 422 kilometers—an average of 42 kilometers a day. While the physical demands of the challenge are tough, the emotional and personal stakes are even higher.
“This is something that’s a personal challenge for us from a physical standpoint, as well as something that we hope inspires Canadians and gets people to donate and support these organizations,” Morin told CTV News.
Mike Hanson: from personal struggles to advocacy
Hanson’s personal journey began in 2012 when his twin sons were diagnosed with autism. The diagnosis transformed his life and Hanson developed an understanding of the struggles many families face when accessing support. With a desire to help, Hanson ran his first marathon in 2017, raising an impressive $61,000; he has since run 24 more marathons and a mind-boggling 323 half-marathons (with most completed outside of races).
Now, with his wife Andrea, Hanson is matching donations up to $150,000 for this ambitious challenge. “This kind of popped into my head as a way that I could take the passion I have for running and the passion that I have for trying to impact other people—kids especially—and put it together,” Hanson told CTV News.
Dave Morin, a.k.a. Bodega Dave
With 38 marathons (with most, like Hanson’s half-marathons, dubbed “DIY” adventures) and 10 ultras, Morin has built an impressive running resume and inspired others with his unique way of approaching running.
Known as “Bodega Dave” for his eccentric, yet effective, fuelling strategy of stopping at local bodegas (convenience stores) to buy snacks during long runs, Morin has an obsession with running city streets. His love for CityStrides, a platform that gamifies running by tracking how many streets you’ve covered in a city, led him to tackle the seemingly mundane in Calgary’s suburbs. He later expanded his urban miles to New York, where his dedication paid off when he eventually ran every single street in Manhattan—a feat so impressive it earned him a letter from New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams.
Morin was driven to help after volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters from 2011-2019, where he formed bonds with kids from elementary school to high school and learned the “powerful impact of mentorship on a young person’s confidence and future,” as reported on the challenge website.
Join the challenge, help the cause
Hanson and Morin hope to inspire others to join them in supporting the future of Canada’s youth. Every dollar raised will help break down barriers and ensure more children have the opportunity to grow and learn. Join the cause by emailing the Morin and Hanson here, and kick off your fundraising goals by sharing the runners’ website and their draft email you can use to get friends and family keen to donate.
