Running back to Saskatoon: B.C. man making 2nd run across Canada

Shortly after discovering his grandmother had Alzheimer's, Edward Dostaler from Kamloops, B.C., set out on a run across Canada and back, raising money and awareness for Alzheimer's and breast cancer research.

This week, Dostaler, also known as Fast Eddy, is on his way back to the west coast from Newfoundland, and he's arriving in Saskatoon this morning.

But the journey started 24,000 kilometres ago when the 27-year-old embarked on the first leg of his trek on March 1, 2015, leaving Victoria, B.C., reaching Cape Spear, N.L., on Sept. 30, 2015. He then flew back to B.C., picked up his car and drove back to Newfoundland to start his trip back across the country. 

"I was running through Saskatchewan. It was flat and I had a tail wind," Dostaler told CBC News.

But now he's heading back to Kamloops, and thus far he's raised $20,000. But the reason Dostaler first drummed up this idea was because he grew tired of those around him complaining that not enough was being done to battle breast cancer and Alzheimer's.

So he decided it was time he did something.

"I'm here in order to try and solve a problem, it may not work but at least I'm putting forth the effort and that's all this is trying to do," he said. "I'm trying to inspire people that if they see a problem, to act on it rather than sit idly by watching it progress."

24,000 km and 25 pairs of shoes

Dostaler is alone on the trek and pushes a 140-pound stroller that holds everything he needs to outlast the elements. He's also burned his way through 25 pairs of shoes — nearly a new pair after every 1,000 kilometres — on his run. For the run Dostaler was forced to quit his job as a carpenter, but what he's been doing over the past 17 months has meant more to him than anything.

He's met former prime ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper, as well as his role model Rick Hansen.

On Sunday Dostaler was on his last leg before reaching Saskatoon from Elstow, Sask., about 50 kilometres southeast of the Bridge City. But he drove in and met up with a local running group called the Friday Night Lights, a trail running group based out of Brainsport, an athletic retailer in Saskatoon.

Fast Eddy is in Saskatoon until Saturday and during the week he has a series of events planned including a fun run, a meet and greet at Civic Square and a meeting with Mayor Don Atchison.

On Aug. 6 he'll head to Regina, a run he expects will take him three days to complete.

For people hoping to make a donation to the cause and would like to follow Fast Eddy on his run, visit www.fasteddycanada.com