Clay Williams – has just finished running 750 KM in support of Defeat Depression – Canal Pursuit — congratulations!
While running along the Trent and Rideau Canal systems, Clay made an incredible impact speaking at scheduled events, in schools, with organization and with individuals. His personal campaign had a significant impact with individuals currently going through and / or those who have previously gone through mental health challenges.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada and the Defeat Depression team is extremely proud and grateful to Clay for his dedication, caring and exemplary leadership in fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.
Our thanks also go out to Clay’s incredible family and his team of pace runners and volunteers who chose to join him and offer support on his journey. Heartfelt thanks additionally to Clay’s wonderful corporate sponsors and supporting organizations.
Donations are being accepted in support of Clay’s run at: https://mdsc.akaraisin.com/CanalPursuit
Photo Left to right – Arriving at Parliament Hill: Rob Thomas, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at MHCC—himself a runner, Clay Williams, Kurt Grant – MDSC’s Peer and Trauma Support Systems, Syd Gravel – MDSC’s Peer and Trauma Support Systems
Canal Pursuit After Party
Clay Williams and John Starzynski MDSC President
On October 22nd Clay held a get together at his house to discuss the success of this years run and make plans for next year.
Canal Pursuit 2017!
The Canal Pursuit for Mental Health, 2017 edition, will be run as a relay. Runners will run in a group of at least two, will check in at each of the 88 locks along the route, and will carry The Flag the full length of the run. The run will start on Aug 25, 2017 in Port Severn, and finish on Sept 1 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Runners will run at least 10 km per stage, and teams will run approximately 100 km per day for 7-½ days during the run so that the running will be done during daylight hours allowing as much publicity as possible. There will be up to 100 runners involved, as well as support crew along the route. Clay Williams will continue as the main spokesperson for the run, and will be doing a minimal amount of running in the 2017 event, focusing instead on support and publicity.
This is a run in support of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, and not a race, so there is no entry fee, no awards or prizes, and the hope that each participant will help support the charity. Mauro Campanelli has joined the team and will be responsible for coordinating the relay teams for the entire route. Supporting and shuttling this many runners and volunteers is going to be quite a challenge, and Mauro and I are both looking forward to meeting the challenge and running another successful Canal Pursuit.
Stay tuned for updates
@defdepression
@canalpursuit
@100mileclay
