Two weeks ago, Christopher Mavrikos ran farther than he ever thought he could.

The 32-year-old passed the 36-kilometre mark with jelly-like quads, sore hips, bruised feet and his sweat-soaked hair plastered to his forehead.

B次元官网网址淭he 36K was a huge route,B次元官网网址� he said days later, in a state of disbelief of what heB次元官网网址檇 accomplished.

Mavrikos, whose previous longest distance was a half-marathon, or 21 km, he ran in May, has a ton of emotion backing his bid to complete a full marathon on Oct. 9.

On that 36-km run, Mavrikos also ran the gamut of emotions, from determination to hopelessness, sorrow to elation.

But the main reason he was able to push through B次元官网网址� and the reason heB次元官网网址檚 certain heB次元官网网址檒l complete the GoodLife Victoria Marathon B次元官网网址� is his late mother and the other Canadian woman affected by breast cancer.

B次元官网网址淐rossing that finish line, if IB次元官网网址檓 able to inspire just one person to make a difference, to donate to the cause, how can I say no to that? ItB次元官网网址檚 obviously, for me, my momB次元官网网址檚 legacy, but itB次元官网网址檚 about keeping her memory alive.B次元官网网址�

Lynn Mavrikos died of breast cancer in 1997 at 38 years old. She was initially diagnosed at age 32 and her son said her strength helped her live through those six years with the disease.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 her strength, her determination that is in me and I take solace in that. I know IB次元官网网址檓 going to have to dig deep on that Sunday (Oct. 9), (but) I know sheB次元官网网址檒l be there.B次元官网网址�

Mavrikos is creating a track record of pushing himself hard to bring breast cancer into the spotlight.

Last year, he raised more than $30,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer FoundationB次元官网网址檚 Run for the Cure B次元官网网址� the most money raised by any individual in Canada, ever. For his efforts, he received the Determination Award at the Run.

Mavrikos will attend the Run for the Cure this year as well, held on Sunday (Oct. 2). HeB次元官网网址檒l run the 5-km route with other participants as he has for the past four years since he moved back to Victoria from Vancouver (but he will run it twice B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 part of his tapered training schedule for the marathon the following weekend).

In addition, Mavrikos organized a classy evening of appetizers, prizes and presentations on Wednesday (Sept. 28), at which he aimed to raise $10,000.

Mavrikos hopes his marathon will prompt people to donate $1 per kilometre heB次元官网网址檒l run on Oct. 9, or $42 each, to his cause at thinkpink2020.com. All proceeds go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

B次元官网网址淚f I can inspire one person, then IB次元官网网址檝e done what I can do,B次元官网网址� he said.

Until the marathon, Mavrikos, general manager at RomeoB次元官网网址檚 Place on Hillside Avenue, plans to continue his training and fundraising efforts.

B次元官网网址淧eople think I bite off more than I can chew, but if I put my mind to anything, I think I can do it. ItB次元官网网址檚 been said before that IB次元官网网址檓 a man on a mission and I definitely am B次元官网网址� and not only when IB次元官网网址檓 doing my work on my fundraising efforts, but when IB次元官网网址檓 running I know thereB次元官网网址檚 someone with me and that pushes me on.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 definitely times where sheB次元官网网址檚 there and present for sure,B次元官网网址� he continued.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes you can hit a bit of an emotional barrier and a song (on my iPod) can kind of evoke thoughts or feelings, and you feel that beat in your heart and you look up at the sky and push on and get yourself up that damn hill.B次元官网网址�

Think pink

Mavrikos named his fundraising website thinkpink2020.com, because he believes researchers can find a way to end breast cancer by 2020.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just a fabricated number. They are truly making this a reality and where are we at right now? 2011? We have nine years to go. I think itB次元官网网址檚 definitely achievable.B次元官网网址�

Run for  the cure

B次元官网网址� What: 5-km run, speeches, entertainment

B次元官网网址� When: Sunday, Oct. 2. Registration at 7 a.m., opening ceremonies at 8:35 a.m., run starts at 9 a.m.

B次元官网网址� Where: University of Victoria

B次元官网网址� Why: to raise money for breast cancer research

B次元官网网址� How: visit www.runforthecure.com and click on Victoria under the Locations tab to find donor and team information