Cross-country runner makes pit stop

A 22-year-old long distance runner visited Brandon last week during his journey across Canada.

James Newman visited on day 79 of his trek across the country as he raises money for scholarships for children who lost their parents. Newman said Manitoba was a welcome sight at this stage into his journey, having started from St. John’s, N.L.

“It’s easier running. It’s so fricken nice,” Newman said of the Manitoba leg of his journey. “Its unbelievable. If it wasn’t for the heat, this would be the best province to run in.”

The flat terrain of Westman gave his body time to recover, he said. He has had issues with internal bleeding, blisters and tendon injuries along his run, which had exceeded 5,200 kilometres by the time he landed in Brandon.

The hottest day of the year was encountered in Manitoba, Newman said — leading to “total heat exhaustion.”

But the provincial road system gives a clear, straight path for runners, which is a mental benefit, he said. The path to Victoria, B.C., for example, is winding — whereas Manitoba is simple and straightforward.

“Its nice to look directly west and see your progress,” he said. “Just trying to take it day by day and get through each day.”

Since May 18, with the exception of a little over a week off due to injuries, Newman has run upwards of 60 kilometres per day.

The young man is trying to raise $250,000 to supply a scholarship fund in partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. Just over $146,000 had been raised by the time he visited Brandon.

The scholarship is slated to pay out a regular, annual sum for children who have lost parents.

Newman lost his parents when he was seven. He said that he believes other people should be given a helping hand in their education after losing their parents, just like he was.

James said the reason he chose to fundraise for scholarships is that he wanted to give others what others gave to him. He was raised by his grandmother and her husband after he lost his parents — and his family helped him through to his graduation this spring from McGill University.

University taught him independence, and he believes other people who have lost their parents would also benefit greatly by a chance at that experience, he said.

“I met cool people. I learned a lot about myself. I looked back and I thought that was awesome, and I thought that could be especially useful (for others like me).”

Newman’s uncle Chris Newman, and Chris’s wife Anne Hammond, stayed two nights in Brandon last week while he completed a run through the Westman region. They also stopped in to have the fridge in his camper repaired at a local business.

Hammond, who flew in from B.C. to serve on the support crew for the cross-country trek, said she believed this part of Manitoba was favourable for the run. She noted many back roads parallel to the Trans Canada Highway give James a chance to get away from traffic.

“I think it’s been easier on him,” Hammond said. “Having access to those things like those little service roads is nice.”

Hammond and her husband did a grocery trip in Brandon, buying specific foods that have been necessary for the runner. Preparation of small and frequent meals, such as chicken and avocado wraps, and overnight oats, smoothies and pesto pasta keep the two busy as they drive the route while James runs.

“Preparing the food is key. Because every time he stops, he needs fuel almost immediately,” she said.

She said their role consists of a lot of meal support as about 10,000 calories are needed per day to support James. A significant amount of food is required to keep him from losing weight while running more than a marathon per day.

It’s also an extremely specific menu to avoid health issues, she said.

In Portage la Prairie, Newman visited a doctor after suffering internal bleeding and an ulcer stemming from his running. The issue flared back up for the second time on the journey, as James dealt with scorching hot days, and he was out a day and a half in Portage. A doctor prescribed medicine to reduce stomach acid, and James has cut hummus and tomato sause from his diet to reduce acidity.

James has also dealt with an infection in his foot, a blood blister, and a tendon injury in his leg.

Hammond and Chris were one of about 10 different volunteer crews who had participated in James’ run as of early August.

Chris said that the responsibilities on the crew are demanding. He noted the time dedicated to the role can stretch 12 hours daily — and he was quick to clear up the idea that helping the run is like a vacation.

“This is not a country drive, fun thing,” he said. “This is a Formula One pit crew with Tom Cruise at the wheel saying, ‘Get me this, get me this, get me this.’”

His nephew’s task at hand comes with the need for a large amount of support, including logistical things like planning for regular pit stops and overnight stays, and details like specific grocery shopping and even ice deliveries to cool down his body after running on hot days.

Seeing it up close, Chris said it’s understandable how much support is required to make this happen.

“You think that he has been doing a marathon and a half per day, and he’s been doing it since May 18,” he said. “It’s amazing to see.”

James said his motivation for the run comes from his life experience, and wanting to make the most of the time he knows can be fleeting, he said.

“I’m someone who realized, as I’ve seen death in people close to me, I’m aware we’re all going to die one day. Life is short you want to do something, pursue a passion, try it.”

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com