Celebrating a successful run
Akshay Grover of Dollard-des-Ormeaux ran 503 kilometres to Toronto as part of a school project. And along the way, he raised $12,661.
What did you do on your summer vacation?
Sixteen-year-old Akshay Grover from Dollard-des-Ormeaux ran 503 kilometres to Toronto. And he did it in 13 days.
Grover’s goal was to raise $10,000 for the Torontobased Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation. By the time he ran up to the front door of CCCF headquarters at 12:15 p.m. on a hot day, Aug. 13, he’d raised $12,661.
Grover attends Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School. The run was part of a Grade 10 International Baccalaureate project he worked on with mentor and PCHS teacher Vanessa Amar.
“It was surreal,” Grover said of his arrival in Toronto.
CCCF contacted the Toronto Metropolitan Police and a police escort was coordinated by three separate police divisions.
Cruisers accompanied him through two regions and officers on bicycles cleared traffic for the last leg of the Toronto run.
“The police were really great,” Grover said. “I was able to talk to the officers on the bikes for the last part of the run. They stayed right by me and gave me water when I needed it.”
Grover ran 42 kilometres — the equivalent of a marathon — every day but one with his mom Sabrina Kandola following in the family car. Day 1 was great and Day 2 felt good. Day 3 was horrendous.
“My ankles were swollen and my knees were shaking,” Grover said. “It was the worst day of the whole run. I iced my ankles overnight and was able to run the next day.”
Normally, Grover would start running at 5:30 a.m. to avoid the heat, but on Day 8, following his one rest day and a bit of a sleep-in, he ran the first 27 kms in blazing, humid 28-degree C heat outside of Belleville, Ont. He ended up with heatstroke but, again, was able to pick up the run the next day.
Grover took four pairs of running shoes with him — alternating pairs every day. One pair is completely shot.
He begins Grade 11 next week and his Grade 10 charity-run project, which includes a documentary about the experience, is due in December. Plans to tour Montreal-area schools with the film are in the works.
He arrived home last Friday to a warm welcome from family and friends.
“The run made me realize that if you really want to do something, you don’t need to be defined by your age.”
To donate, visit http://bit. ly/Vk4jYJ