Dublin marathon successful

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Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, 38, returned Oct. 26 from running in the Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland.

The 26-mile run was Fiddler's first marathon, but not his first effort on behalf of the Canadian Diabetes Association, for which he has personally raised about $6,000 in the past.

This latest effort, as part of Team Diabetes Canada, brought in nearly half a million dollars to support diabetes research, a cause that is close to Fiddler's heart.

"The support was just overwhelming because, you know, I wouldn't have been able to do it if it was just myself. It was a total team effort-family and friends and colleagues."

Fiddler talked about his reasons for making the trip. He went abroad to draw attention to the high rate of diabetes among First Nations and to let people know the challenges faced by diabetic people in remote communities where food costs are high and there are few medical supports.

"Across First Nations communities, (diabetes) is such a big issue. Just looking at the stats and just looking at children as young as 10 and 11 being diagnosed with diabetes is very alarming, so I think more has to be done to address the situation and to look at ways of preventing diabetes and to start reversing the trend, because the way it's going I think, you know, we're going to lose a lot of people to diabetes if nothing is done now."

Eighty Canadians made the trip that brought in $495,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association and about 10,500 people participated altogether.

"Most of that goes to research," Fiddler said.

Fiddler completed the marathon in five hours.

He mentioned that he injured his knee in training the week before he left for Ireland and he injured it some more half way through the marathon.

The run took place mostly over paved streets, but portions of it were over cobblestone, Fiddler said.

Fiddler's accomplishment is remarkable, given that he "rarely ran before this spring." He plays hockey over the winter to keep in shape.

To get ready for the run, he and seven others on his team sought out a trainer in Thunder Bay and undertook an 18-week training program-"standard," he said, "for a marathon."

Fiddler said his regimen included running three or four times a week with a long run on the weekend.

He said he left Canada on a Friday, arrived in Dublin Saturday, rested Sunday, ran the marathon Monday and returned to Canada on Tuesday, so there was little time to visit the city's many historic attractions.

"I saw it during the marathon," Fiddler said laughing. "'Cause you're running 26 miles, so that was my sight-seeing."

The Canadian Diabetes Association sponsors Team Diabetes Canada.

"We just fundraise the minimum amount you have to fundraise: it's $5,500," said Fiddler.

"You can go over that, but once you reach that mark, they sponsor you. "They pay your travel, your accommodation and meals and your registration fee."

Now that he is back in Thunder Bay, Fiddler said he'll rest his knee and probably see a physiotherapist. Whether he continues running "depends on the knee."