Edward Dostaler (aka Fast Eddy) is continuing his cross-Canada journey to find a cure for breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
Somebody is looking out for Edward Dostaler on his incredible journey across Canada. But it’s not God.
Whenever the 27-year-old is down on his luck or low on food, somebody miraculously shows up with a sandwich or a bottle of water.
People obviously want him to continue running to find a cure for breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
The sprinter, known as “Fast Eddy,” has quite the following since he began his trek from Victoria to St. John’s, Newfoundland in March.
He made his second visit to Oliver recently, speaking to Sen Pok Chin students about anti-bullying and believing in yourself.
During his drive back to Newfoundland he plans to visit many schools along the way before continuing his run through the winter.
Dostaler tries to stop in each town because he doesn’t want to miss the human treasures in each one. And there are many.
He runs 60 to 80 kilometres a day and has logged more than 10,000 kilometres so far.
Two years ago his grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, so he vowed to run across Canada to raise awareness (and money) for a cure.
Dostaler gave up his carpentry job and isolated himself when he could have been working to build the economy. But he’s been building hope and friendships instead.
Not surprisingly, his journey has been filled with ups and downs.
“Quebec was fantastic. I said bonjour and they (the people) were as happy as could be. I was breaking stereotypes.”
In Saskatchewan he learned that if you have 168 acres, you’re just a hobby farmer. And people in the Maritimes are very friendly, he pointed out.
But he shakes his head at drivers who continue to text or talk on their cell phones. In fact, he came within inches of being killed once when a female motorist clipped his jogging stroller.
“I saw this driver texting while coming towards me. She didn’t stop.”
The vehicle came so close that it smashed the mirror on his stroller.
“There is a shocking amount of people who do not understand that texting and driving is bad.”
Dostaler said one day it might be the driver’s son or daughter who gets hit while trying to make a difference in this world.
When he first set out from Victoria, Fast Eddy only had $2,000 in his pocket; not much to live on, but he’s been getting by on people’s random acts of kindness.
“This is the only thing that has kept me going (that, and people suffering from cancer).”
Dostaler said every time he was running low on food or water, someone showed up bearing these gifts.
One morning he woke up to find three First Nations members outside his tent with coffee.
While running on the side of the road, a person showed up and gave him lunch (he was just thinking how hungry he was that day).
At one point he ran out of water and a long-haul truck driver pulled up and offered him some.
Yet another brush with death taught Dostaler to go with his gut feeling.
“Something told me not to set up my tent on the side of the road, so I got off the road and a big rig went into the ditch where I was.”
Fast Eddy also had run-ins with various wildlife, including a curious elk and an ornery bear.
He was leaning over to fix his stroller when he turned around to see a huge elk towering over him. They were almost face-to-face when the elk nonchalantly walked away.
Another time he saw a wolf, so he pulled out his knife just in case, but the wolf moved on.
He saw nine bears, but only one looked like it wanted to feast on his bones. (Fast Eddy is fast, but not that fast.) Dostaler tried to wave down passing cars, but nobody would stop as the bear sized him up. The sow came down from the tree and started running towards him, so Dostaler got out his “bear banger” (noise maker) and scared the sow back up the tree. How lucky was that?
Fast Eddy is expected to complete his journey next summer.
To donate to Fast Eddy’s cause, visit www.fasteddycanada.com
By Lyonel Doherty
