BC man runs seven marathons in seven days to honor late father, raise cancer funds

Economic Times

a day ago

Noah Allison runs along Highway 16 during his seven-marathon challenge in northern British Columbia
Synopsis Noah Allison is running seven marathons in seven days across northern BC to honor his father, Markus, who passed away from cancer. This grueling challenge, called Miles for Markus, raises funds for the BC Cancer Foundation's Patient Relief Fund. Allison, who once weighed over 300 pounds, finds strength in his father's memory and the outpouring of support from donors.
ADVERTISEMENT The wind comes in sharp from the Pacific as Noah Allison makes his way down Highway 16, the long, winding stretch that connects Prince Rupert to Terrace. This is the third straight day he's run 42.2 kilometers, the length of a marathon, and his body is starting to protest.
'I won't lie, it's been tough,' Allison told Global News while running. 'I've never felt the pains I've felt over the past few days before.'
This is Allison's third Miles for Markus fundraiser, but this year's effort is his most ambitious, with seven marathon distances in seven consecutive days. His route covers the scenic but punishing northern BC terrain, taking him from Prince Rupert to Terrace and back, with each day bringing fresh challenges of fatigue, weather, and mental strain.
The event is named in memory of his father, Markus Allison, who died in 2023 after a battle with cancer. Markus was present for the very first fundraiser, standing on the roadside, cheering and high-fiving his son at every opportunity.'I came around and he saw me still running and still moving,' Allison recalls. 'You could see the pride radiating from him. The last thing he ever said to me was how proud he was.'
ADVERTISEMENT Just a few years ago, he weighed more than 300 pounds and led a sedentary lifestyle. That began to change when he entered an eight-kilometer race.
'I remember him saying, 'Eight kilometers, that's so far,'' Allison says, smiling at the memory. The transformation into an ultra-distance runner came gradually, fueled by determination and a growing sense of purpose.
ADVERTISEMENT Running also became a form of therapy during his father's illness, a way to clear his head between long hours at the hospital.
The Miles for Markus events have now raised just over CAD $14,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation's Patient Relief Fund, which supports patients with the day-to-day costs of treatment, travel, and recovery.
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Donations arrive steadily through Allison's Instagram account, @healingthroughendurance. 'Every time I look at my phone, I've got a new email notification for a new donation,' he says. 'It's really been going well, and it's humbling to see that kind of support.'
Allison believes his father would be both proud and amused by his latest challenge. 'I know him well enough to know he would just go, 'You are absolutely insane,'' he says with a laugh. 'My mom and I have a good laugh thinking about how crazy he would think I was for doing this one.'
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