Martin Parnell is going to run 250 marathons in 2010 to raise money for the Right to Play charity.

While just the running may seem like a daunting task for most, Parnell told Cochrane town council Nov. 9 his goal is to also raise $250,000.
He plans to start on Jan. 1, running five days a week and then taking the weekends off.

Most of the races will be ran locally, especially now that Horse Creek Loop — a popular local marathon route — has been officially certified, but he will also attend bigger events like the Calgary Marathon, Boston Marathon and Footstock.

Parnell said he hopes to get sponsors for each race: $1,000 from individuals or groups, $2,500 from businesses, and whatever individual donations roll in on his website www.marathonquest250.com.

Martin Parnell plans to run 250 marathons in a year to raise money. (Photo by Rachel Maclean)

He also would like to include themes, such as a garbage marathon where he can pick-up garbage along the route.

Right To Play is a humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace with children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.

But they also do projects in Canadian communities to inspire children and support their right to grow and learn through physical activity.

More than 4,500 schools in Canada use the Right To Play program, and Cochrane High School plans to implement one in March.

Parnell will cover a distance of 10,550 kilometres, which is approximately the same distance as a run from Cochrane to Boston, then west through the United States to Vancouver, and back to Cochrane.

“It’d just an incredible undertaking you are about to do,” said Mayor Truper McBride to Parnell at council.

Parnell will also be working with the Cochrane Rotary Club to place virtual maps of his runs in the local schools so the students can keep up with his progress.

Related Stories

No related posts.

• Filed under News | You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.