Runner takes on marathon for a cause

Page 16

Don McKay is a runner, and this fall he's headed to Holland for one of the most significant races of his life.

McKay will be part of Canada's Team Diabetes in the Amsterdam Marathon on Oct. 19.

"My mother is diabetic, and I'm running this marathon in honour of my mother, Virginia," said McKay, who is originally from Cumberland House but now lives in La Ronge and works shifts at a northern mine.

The 38-year-old McKay has a couple of goals in mind for this marathon. One is to raise $5,500 for the Canadian Diabetes Association as part of the minimum commitment to join Team Diabetes Canada. The majority of the money supports research and education into the disease. The underlying goal is to increase the public's awareness of diabetes.

Saskatchewan's northern health districts report a diabetes rate more than 50 per cent higher than the provincial average. Diabetes affects nearly six per cent of northerners. The incidence of diabetes among northern First Nations people doubled between 1980 and 1990, and doubled again as of 1999.

People can reduce their risk of diabetes by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, something McKay will be doing himself in preparation for the marathon.

"I'd like to see more young people lead a more active life," said the long-time recreation volunteer. He has often worked to improve opportunities for youth, including co-ordinating the Northern Saskatchewan Summer Games in 1993.

This will not be McKay's first marathon, however. He ran the Queen City Marathon in Regina in 2001, finishing the 42.2-km in a very respectable 4 hours, 19 minutes. Afterwards, he was surfing Web sites about running when he came across a link to Team Diabetes, and that's what got him thinking about the event in Holland.

McKay will join 150 other Canadians in Amsterdam for the race.

For more information about McKay's mission, or if you are considering donating, you can call him at 425-1351, or e-mail him at donmckay@sasktel.net.