More than a decade ago while working in High River, I got a call from a guy telling me he and his Okotoks buddy had just done the 125km Death Race in Grande Cache.
The High River guy was former Strathcona-Tweedsmuir teacher/cross-country coach Gary Glover and his Okotoks buddy, who I didn’t know, was Wayne Gaudet.
I told them sure, people love reading about nutbars.
It turns out 125km was a walk in the park for Gaudet, who when it comes to running is more nutbar than an Almond Joy.
Joy being the key word, he loves to run.
Gaudet was the top runner in the men’s 60+ division and 64th among all males at the IAU 24 hour running championships in Belfast, Ireland on July 1. He was Canada’s top runner, completing 214.7 km in a run to quote the great Kinks was “All day and all of the night.”
I have since had the pleasure of getting to know Gaudet and David Proctor, who was also on Team Canada in Ireland.
Both would tell you how proud they were to run for Canada on Canada’s 150th.
Just like an Almond Joy, running should be shared — and Gaudet and Proctor both share their passion.
I have seen Gaudet lope back in the Okotoks-High River Friendship Run to encourage another runner to finish. He also has helped out at various clinics and runs put on by the Big Rock Runners.
Hopefully, he and Proctor have plenty of miles left in the tank.
It turns out Okotoks and Canada benefits from their miles.
Long May You Run.
