In a soaked grey New Balance t-shirt and dark shorts, Ryan Rasmussen ran on. He was behind schedule, but determined to keep going and reach his goal.
Through stops and starts and under a hot sun, he had been running for hours, without sleep.
By the time the Coco Run B次元官网网址� first conceived by the Quadra Island resident in 2021 after his sister lost her battle with cancer B次元官网网址� finished late on Aug. 5. the skies had darkened and just a handful of family and loved ones were there to cheer him on as he arrived in Campbell River from Duncan at just after 10 p.m.
READ MORE:
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 so incredibly proud,B次元官网网址� said Rachel Jensen, RyanB次元官网网址檚 wife. As she held back tears, she said, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 incredibly proud of Ryan for setting this goal. ItB次元官网网址檚 something that seems so outrageous and he has been putting in the effort. Training for it all year and testing out different nutrition strategies.B次元官网网址�
RyanB次元官网网址檚 sister, Nicole, passed away on New YearB次元官网网址檚 Day in 2021. It gave him the motivation to start the Coco Run. In 2021, he ran 160K. Last year, his first attempt at the Duncan to Campbell River journey was cut short, beaten by heat and fatigue.
This year, starting on Aug. 4 at just after 3:30 a.m., Rasmussen ran a 200-plus kilometre journey ending at Robert Ostler Park. Battling fatigue and the summertime heat, Ryan admitted that even when he wanted to give up, he continued going at his wifeB次元官网网址檚 urging B次元官网网址� albeit feeling spiteful.
B次元官网网址淚 wanted to prove to her I could finish,B次元官网网址� joked Rasmussen. He then said,B次元官网网址淩achel reminded me B次元官网网址榳hy am I doing this?B次元官网网址� The reason I go so long and the heat, when I think of it, I want to get the same pain level my sister was in.B次元官网网址�
Along with a salute to NicoleB次元官网网址檚 courage, the run also serves as a fundraiser to help those facing similar challenges.
The Coco Run collects donations that can be made via Paypal or E-transfer. In addition, an online auction has been set up, which ends on Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. Proceeds from the donations and auction will benefit the Integrated Health Clinic in White Rock, a cancer clinic specialising in holistic care.
B次元官网网址淭hey deal with integrative therapies,B次元官网网址� said Rasmussen. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not to say donB次元官网网址檛 do chemo or radiation. If youB次元官网网址檙e fighting for your life, letB次元官网网址檚 try to give everybody the best chance they have to live.B次元官网网址�
Just a few weeks ago, Rasmussen helped pay half the bills of residents at the White Rock clinic.
B次元官网网址淲e paid half of everyoneB次元官网网址檚 bill that day,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just the motivation. IB次元官网网址檇 rather put myself through 40 plus hours of pain, just to put a smile on someone elseB次元官网网址檚 face one day. That morning, they may be counting the days they donB次元官网网址檛 see their child or loved ones anymore. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what it is all about.B次元官网网址�
He also says the memory of his sister, who was affectionately known as B次元官网网址淐ocoB次元官网网址�, is a big part of why this journey continues.
B次元官网网址淚 think sheB次元官网网址檇 be so incredibly proud,B次元官网网址� said Rasmussen. B次元官网网址淪he always said she wished she had the money to pay for integrative treatments. I came to her house and said B次元官网网址業 have this ideaB次元官网网址�, and at the time I couldnB次元官网网址檛 even run seven kilometres. Within five months, I ran 160 kilometres. It was the memory of her that got me through not being a runner, and getting through 160 kilometres B次元官网网址� was just her.B次元官网网址�
To donate, visit
Edward Hitchins
edward.hitchins@campbellrivermirror.com
Like us on and follow us on
