ELMIRA – Elmira resident Clay Williams is getting ready to embark on a cross-Canada journey in support of mental health.
Williams, who is 65 this year, aims to set a record as the oldest person to travel across the country on foot.
Williams began running in 2004, after a friend suggested they go for a run after work to stay in shape.
“So we started running around our industrial complex and after a couple of weeks he said ‘you know what, we should do a five kilometre race,’” he said.
The pair ended up running a 5km race just 30 days later and from there Williams began running longer distances, ultimately running several marathons as well as a few 24- and 48-hour races.
In August of 2015 Williams ran from Port Severn to Ottawa along the Trent Severn and Rideau Canals to raise funds and awareness for the Mood Disorders Society of Canada’s Defeat Depression campaign.
He raised over $12,000 that year.
Williams continued doing the same run for the next few years.
As the years passed, more runners got involved and the “Canal Pursuit” became a relay race with individual runners running multiples of 10km.
Over the first six years of the run, the Canal Pursuit for Mental Health raised over $150,000.
Now, Williams is preparing to take on a new challenge.
“This run kind of came as a … last hurrah,” said Williams.
“As a soon-to-be-retired guy, maybe it would be a good thing to, while I still can, try to run across the country.”
Williams told the Advertiser he has already mapped out his cross-country adventure, which will kick off in Cape Spear, Newfoundland on May 5 2026.
Williams will run across to a monument known as Mile Zero, which was the target for Terry Fox, on Vancouver island. The distance between the two is roughly 8,500km.
On the move – Clay Williams gives it his all during one of his Canal Pursuit runs. Submitted photo
“Since it’s a publicity campaign … I don’t have to try and find the shortest distance to get there as quickly as I can,” said Williams.
“I want to run through as many populated areas as I can.”
Williams will also be visiting Ottawa, North Bay, Toronto, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, British Columbia, Iqaluit, Edmonton, White Horse, Yellow Knife and plenty more.
Where he is unable to run, due to lack of roads or bodies of water, he will fly in to his destination and complete a marathon style run to make up for the air travel distance.
Williams will also be posting a schedule of his run, allowing those in nearby cities to join him as he treks across the country.
Throughout his run, Williams will be meeting with politicians and community groups all over the country to raise awareness and hopefully incite change for those struggling with mental health.
“Rather than just bringing awareness to people that there’s an issue, I hope that this run will play a small part in bringing changes to the way mental health is addressed in Canada,” he said.
“Awareness is great, but it’s time for a solution.”
As part of his mental health advocacy, Williams has carried a Canadian flag decorated with signatures obtained during his first Canal Pursuit run in 2015.
Each signature was penned by someone struggling or someone who knew someone struggling with mental health.
“I asked people, if you or someone you love is struggling with depression or has struggled with depression, anxiety, PTSD or any mood disorder, please sign the flag and I will carry it the full distance of the run as a symbol that you don’t have to carry your burdens alone,” said Williams.
The flag has been signed by nearly 500 people and has been accompanying Williams on his runs for the past 11 years.
Next year’s run will not only be strenuous on the body, but on the bank account as well, prompting a Go Fund Me and other fundraising initiatives.
“It’s going to take me about five and a half months to run across the county,” said Williams.
“There are definitely some expenses that are going to have to be covered, that are extraneous expenses.”
Williams takes care of his wife while he is home and will be leaving behind a sum of the money raised to ensure her care.
“I’m taking care of my sweetheart while I’m at home, and I wont be able to do that while I’m away,” he said. “So there’s going to be some personal expenses to take care of her while I’m gone.”
Those looking to support Williams on his cross-country adventure can do so by checking his Facebook account for fundraising initiatives or by donating to his Go Fund Me at gofundme.com/f/canadian-pursuit-for-mental-health.
