Some people have called him crazy, while others have expressed serious concerns about his physical well being.
But Chris Kurz says the overwhelming majority of people are very supportive of his idea to don firefighter bunker gear and run from Listowel to Drayton – and back.
“It’s phenomenal … people love the idea,” the Listowel resident said. “I feel very blessed to live in this community – people are so supportive.”
The June 9 trek will be Kurz’s third “ultra marathon” over the last five years in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In 2008 he ran 76km from Lake Huron to Listowel, raising $22,500, and over two days in December of 2010 he ran from Listowel to Stratford and back (120km total) and raised $17,000.
Kurz, 31, has announced the June 9 run – which measures about 64km round trip – will be his last ultra marathon.
“I’m quite thankful for that … I hate running,” he quipped.
It may be his last major fundraiser, but the June 9 run will also be a special one for Kurz for another reason.
He is dedicating the run to the memory of Lisa Mitton, who battled cystic fibrosis all her life before passing away last summer at age 34, and also North Perth firefighters Ray Walter, 30, of Listowel, and Ken Rea, 56, of Atwood, who died in a fire last year.
A visit to the Kinsmen Club of Listowel several years ago by Mitton’s sister, Kristy, who also battles cystic fibrosis, was the original impetus behind Kinsmen Kurz’s charity runs.
“I couldn’t believe what this person goes through every day just to live her life,” Kurz recalled, adding the presentation had him in tears.
The loss of two firefighters last March hit the entire community of Listowel and the surrounding area very hard – and Kurz also counted Walter as one of his good friends.
That is why Kurz feels it is a fitting tribute to complete the Listowel-Drayton run in bunker gear, even though, as many people have pointed out, he could do easier things to raise money.
“Those guys gave their lives to protect us, so the least I could do is honour them,” said Kurz. “This seems to hit home with a lot of people.”
He will depart from the Listowel arena early in the morning on June 9 and plans to arrive at the Drayton fire hall to rest for a few hours – likely during a pancake breakfast hosted at the station by the Mapleton Fire Department.
Fire chief Rick Richardson said the department is asking for donations at the breakfast, which runs from 8 to 11am, all of which will go towards a memorial near the scene of the fatal fire in Listowel in recognition of Walter and Rea.
“We’ve had full support from both of our stations for the event,” Richardson said, noting the Mapleton department was “quite involved” in assisting the North Perth department during the memorial service for the two fallen firefighters.
He added trucks from both the Minto and Mapleton departments will form part of the convoy travelling with Kurz.
“It’s going to be quite an accomplishment,” Richardson said of Kurz’s run.
Kurz himself hopes to raise $20,000 with the run, though he did not want to speculate about how long the gruelling feat will take to complete.
“Just finishing it is the only goal,” he said.
The bunker gear will add an extra ten pounds of weight and it will also have a great effect on his usual running stride, not to mention the most biggest factor of all: the heat.
“If it’s a hot, humid day, it won’t be pretty,” Kurz said with a chuckle.
Despite the pending difficulties and the many doubters who have said the run is nearly impossible, Kurz has been training in the suit every day leading up the event.
“I feel ready … I love a good challenge,” he said.
The route
While the details were not yet finalized, Kurz explained last week the plan is to depart the Listowel arena at about 3am and take Highway 86 south out of town to Wellington Road 10, then east through Moorefield to Wellington Road 8, and then south into Drayton.
His return route will take him north on Wellington Road 8 to Palmerston, then west on Highway 23 through Gowanstown and back into Listowel.
Raising funds
To help raise even more money for cystic fibrosis, Kurz has been growing what he calls “a pretty intense beard” since last year.
Anyone interested can also donate to either the “keep” or “shave” pledge sheet and, depending on which makes more money, he will either shave it off or keep it until January.
(According to a Facebook group – “Crazy for a Cure III: Cystic Fibrosis Fears the Beard” – as of June 1, the beard race was very tight, with nearly identical numbers on either side.)
There will also be a “Summerfest” fundraising dance at 9pm on June 9 at the Listowel arena in support of cystic fibrosis.
The dance will feature three live bands and $10 tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Shopper’s Drug Mart and Zehrs in Listowel.
To donate to the North Perth firefighters’ memorial fund, visit the June 9 pancake breakfast at the Drayton fire hall on Main Street or contact Richardson at 519-574-8387.
For more information on Kurz’s fundraisers visit www.facebook.com and search “Crazy for a Cure III: Cystic Fibrosis Fears the Beard.”
