Fast Eddy pays a visit to the Oliver Chronicle
On March 1st Edward “Fast Eddy” Dostaler set out on a journey that will help to save countless lives by bringing awareness and rallying for financial support to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s research. This journey is taking him from Victoria, BC all the way across Canada to St. John’s, Newfoundland where he will turn around and run all the way back to where he started.
Why would anyone take on such a task? Dostaler says it best:
“This run is about (raising money and awareness for) breast cancer and Alzheimer’s, and sadly those diseases stretch past any imaginary borders. We have a choice to stand proud and together; to say no to cancer and no to Alzheimer’s. We have an opportunity to help make the dream of a cure a reality. And the first step is just to start trying. Shoot for the moon because even if you miss your mark, there are still billions of stars to see.”
Eighteen months of training and organizing were preceded by years of inspiration.
This journey is the culmination of hard work and a determined dream of a passionate individual. And now the hard part has begun.
“Having worked so long in training, starting the run hasn’t made an impact in my eyes,” says Dostaler. “One step at a time and one foot in front of the other. Awareness will come, and much needed researching funding will also come.”
And that, says Dostaler, is what it is all about.
“My main and only real focus is to accomplish and complete this run: giving Alzheimer’s and breast cancer foundations the best chance for a cure.”
This single minded focus is what keeps Dostaler going day after day. It is what will keep him going over the next year. And it is what will inspire countless Canadians, and watchers from around the globe, to help where they can. To be part of the cure.
“That’s what this run is about; not a runner running across Canada and back; who cares. It happens, someone is running,” says Dostaler. “We have the opportunity to make a cure a reality. And that is what it’s about.”
Dostaler may be on the road unassisted, but he wants everyone to know he is not doing this alone.
“My team is a very big key to this run. Without them it would just be a man running down the highway. I keep in contact through my cell phone, computer, as well as social media. I can be tracked through my website and so a lot of people know if I am on the move and where I have gone that day.”
His sponsors also help to make sure that Dostaler has some of his physical needs taken care of as he takes on this journey. Hoka One One, Thompson Rivers University, Runner Sole, CEP Canada, Superfeet, Bodyglide, The North Face, and Noran all help to keep Dostaler putting one foot in front of the other.
Submitted to the Chronicle
