It wasn't quite the ending that he wanted. Cpl. Joshua Martin intended to spend the last few days running more than 200 kilometres for charity. Everything started off well but he wasn't able to make it to the end at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.
"I was running for about three days there and then on Sunday, I developed a muscle strain in my ankle and I couldn't carry on, unfortunately," he says.
Starting from CFB Wainwright on Friday, the 31-year-old former St. Albert resident ran 50 km each day and ended up stopping in Tofield, a distance of about 144 km. There might have been an element of unpredictable Alberta weather working against him.
"It actually snowed on the second day, if you can believe it," he laughed.
He also raised around $800 for Soldier On, a military support organization. The Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services program provides financial assistance to injured or ill military personnel, along with other resources and opportunities such as wheelchairs, artificial limbs and fitness regimen development.
"It's still a success when you think about it," he said, thanking everyone who donated and showed support.
He added that he should be back to full health within the week.
His goal is to raise $10,000. To make a pledge to Martin, call him at 780-842-1700 or email [email protected]. Donations can be made in person to the Edmonton Garrison's Military Police detachment at 180 Churchill Ave. on the base.
To learn more about the organization, visit www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/soldieron.
It's all downhill from here
Despite earlier pleas for more help, organizers of the soapbox derby now admit they have a full contingent of volunteers for the big race on Sunday, June 19.
That includes people who can drive their own trucks filled with hay bales to line the sides of St. Vital Avenue, preventing stray younglings from veering off of the race course. The event, held in conjunction with the city's 150th anniversary celebrations, is now all ready and set to go.
Margaret Plain, chair of the Rendezvous 2011 committee, says there are still many other opportunities for people to come out and show their St. Albert pride.
"As we move into summer, we'll have to have more people signed up because we'll need to accommodate summer vacations."
She added that tomorrow's production of Meet the Street also is fully staffed now. Otherwise, people — especially those who can help out during the daytime — are still needed to help out with Canada Day celebrations including the Battle of the Bands. Plain hopes to break everything down into easily manageable two-hour shifts for the full day affair.
"It ends up taking quite a number of people."
She added that she's always looking ahead to Homecoming on July 16 and the citywide picnic on August 28.
"That will take a lot of people."
Apart from those big events, however, there's only one job that she seems to have a constant need for someone to fill.
"If people are interested in wearing the mascot costume, we would welcome them as well. We try to keep that as a short shift. It gets hot in there."
For more information, call the Rendezvous office at 780-458-4630 or visit www.rendezvous2011.ca.
