Tsawwassen’s Hilary Spires is planning on tackling a 160-kilometre run from Vancouver to Pemberton in under 24 hours in September to raise money to help kids play sports.
Sports have been a huge part of her life, she said, noting they’re the basis of what makes her happy and have also opened up opportunities for things like school.
“Since they’ve given so much to me, I wanted a way to give back,” she said.
Spires, 31, played many sports growing up in Tsawwassen and went on to have a collegiate hockey career, spending two seasons at Saint Cloud State in Minnesota and then playing for the UBC Thunderbirds.
Spires, who works as a sales rep for a pet food company, eventually got into long distance running.
Training has been going well and she’s confident she’ll be able to finish her fundraising run.
“I’ll be able to do it. For sure.”
Finishing in under 24 hours could be tough, however, she said, adding that pacing is a big part of her strategy along with keeping fueled and hydrated.
“I have a little crew that’s going to come,” she said, noting some people will run parts of the route with her.
Spires said she likes the mental battle that comes with long distance running.
“You go into some dark places. If you’re running for eight or nine hours, you totally ebb and flow. So you’ll have times when you go, ‘This is amazing. I love this.’ Then suddenly it’s, ‘What am I doing? Everything hurts.’”
Spires has a goal of raising $10,000. She’s raised about $4,000 so far.
Proceeds will go to Kidsport Vancouver. Kidsport was created to help overcome financial obstacles preventing young people from participating in organized sport.
If you’re interested in donating, visit http://bit.ly/2eCKvPs or http://www.kidsportcanada.ca.
