Saskatoon teacher and ultramarathon runner Megan Wotherspoon is preparing to run more than 1,400 kilometers across Saskatchewan, from Stony Rapids to the U.S. border, to honor her mother who died of leukemia. The journey, which begins May 25, is expected to take 30 days and will raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
A Journey of Love and Remembrance
Wotherspoon, 37, lost her mother Louise Tokaruk to leukemia when she was just six years old. Louise was 38 at the time of her death, and Wotherspoon now finds herself at a similar age, feeling a deep urge to commemorate her mother's life. 'I felt like I wanted to do something to honour her, to commemorate her, especially at this time of my life,' Wotherspoon said.
Louise was an outdoors enthusiast who worked as a forestry technician and traveled extensively across Saskatchewan with her husband Brad. Wotherspoon's route will trace the landscapes her mother loved, from the Taiga Shield in the north to the prairie grasslands in the south.
Preparation and Logistics
Wotherspoon is an experienced long-distance traveler, having completed 100-mile races, cycled from Calgary to San Francisco, and run 14 ultramarathons. Despite her experience, she acknowledges the challenge ahead. She has mapped the run in 60-kilometer segments and plans to cover 40 to 70 kilometers daily, expecting to wear out three pairs of shoes.
A support crew will accompany her with vehicles, camping equipment, food, and pacing assistance. Her father Brad will also be part of the team. 'I have a lot of people to thank, because it's something I couldn't do by myself,' she said.
Inspiration from a Mother's Poem
Wotherspoon draws inspiration from a poem her mother wrote while battling leukemia. The poem encourages noticing small wonders in nature and finding comfort in creation. It ends with the lines: 'To feel close with her, go listen to the wind. Sit quietly somewhere on the prairie near some rapids, because that's where she will be.'
'In October, when I was thinking about doing this run, I looked at the poem, and I decided that, yeah — this was the year, and this is what I was going to do to honour her,' Wotherspoon said.
Route and Fundraising
The run is divided into three segments: Stony Rapids to La Ronge, La Ronge to Saskatoon, and Saskatoon to the southern border near Val Marie, close to where her grandparents once farmed. Wotherspoon aims to raise $10 for every kilometer run, with donations accepted at her website everystepisgood.ca.
While she acknowledges potential obstacles such as injury or wildfires, she remains determined. 'My sister is getting married July 27, so I have to be done by then,' she joked.
Experiencing Saskatchewan Step by Step
Wotherspoon looks forward to seeing the province in a unique way. 'Lots of us go to the mountains because they're big and beautiful, but I think to appreciate what we have here in Saskatchewan takes a little bit more time,' she said. 'I'll be on the same road for days, but just noticing the little parts that change will be a really beautiful experience.'
