Cross-country race hits close to home

Fresh off his Lost Soul Ultra Marathon victory last weekend, Dave Proctor is eyeing up an even lengthier run.

After setting a course record in the 100-smile race at this year’s event with a 19 hours and 27 minutes and 22 seconds, the runner from Black Diamond is gearing up to run coast-to-coast next year.

On June 22, Proctor — one of Canada’s elite ultra marathoners — will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest Crossing of Canada on Foot by a Male’ set in September 1991 by Al Howie.

Running the 7,200 kilometre journey, which starts in Victoria and will end in St. Johns, Proctor hopes to complete the jaunt in 66 days, averaging 108 kilometres a day.

The race will take Proctor to the other side of the country, but this event — known as XCanada4Rare — hits close to home for Proctor and his family.

In June, Proctor’s eight-year-old son, Sam, was diagnosed with RECA, a rare disease that causes a lack of balance and coordination.

“He uses a walker to get around and uses ankle braces coming up to his knees because he can’t support his ankles,” said Proctor, who has partnered with the Rare Disease Foundation for the cross-country endeavour. “By running across the country we’re looking to raise funds and create awareness for the Rare Disease Foundation.” As of now, there is now treatment for RECA. “He’s only one of five diagnosed in the world with RECA,” said Proctor. “It’s still a new disease. It was only discovered two years ago.”

More information on XCanada4Rare can be found at

xcanada4rare.ca.