Published 5:30 am Monday, October 26, 2026
The 22-year-old Victorian is a kayaking guide at Ocean River Sports.
(Liam Razzell/Victoria News)
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A kayaking guide who paddled 24 hours straight for charity last year is getting ready to take on another gruelling, day-long challenge.
On Nov. 7, 22-year-old Ethan Reid plans to run around the clock to raise money for Movember – an annual donation drive supporting men with projects centred around suicide prevention and mental health.
I’m raising funds and bringing awareness to men’s
“I’m raising funds and bringing awareness to men’s health this month for all the men in and out of my life,” Reid wrote on his fundraising page. “I myself have struggled with my mental health in the past and want others who may be going through something similar to feel heard and have the ability to easily access re
Reid, who works at Ocean River Sports in Oak Bay, has promised to run non-stop for 24 hours in the hopes of raising $10,000 by the end of November.
Starting at 7 a.m. in Sooke, he will shuffle some 60 kilometres to Sidney along the Galloping Goose Trail and back again as many times as it takes for the sun to rise, set and rise again.
It’s hard to say how far I’m going
“It’s hard to say how far I’m going to go,” he said. “It just depends on my speed, but it’s going to be over 100 kilometres. It’s probably going to be about 150.”
That’s about the distance between Victoria and Parksville – or 3.5 marathons.
“It’s going to be a lot,” added Reid.
Since the beginning of October, he has been running as much as he possibly can to ready his muscles, lungs and mind for the big day – all while documenting his progress on Instagram.
“I’ve done about 120 kilometres in the month of October,” said Reid. “I’m getting to that crunch time of just doing strength training and stretching and yoga and all the things that keep me healthy for the race.”
While some who run ultramarathons spend years building
While some who run ultramarathons spend years building up strength, endurance and technical know-how, Reid has only been at it since August.
“I’ve been kind of running my whole life, but really actually getting into it probably started about three months ago,” he said.
As Reid continues to wear out his sneakers in preparation for the run, a new type of work has begun – the meticulous planning needed to ensure he takes in enough carbohydrates, calorie-dense foods and electrolytes.
From what I’ve learned and studied of ultramarathons,
“From what I’ve learned and studied of ultramarathons, lots of people say that it’s more of an eating contest than a running contest and that the hardest thing is finding a way to get that nutrition in,” he said.
As for where Reid will be getting his grub, he plans to enlist his girlfriend and friends to deliver water and food at stops along the way.
But aside from roadside rest and short stretches spent running with friends, he’s going to be alone.
For the alone time, it’s kind
“For the alone time, it’s kind of an adventure,” said Reid. “Part of what I’m excited for, honestly, is just to be alone for long periods of time pushing forward, and it’s kind of me against me.”
That means hours under starry skies with nothing to keep him company except a headlamp and good tunes, which could include his current running favourites Creed, Rage Against the Machine and the Foo Fighters.
The run does spark some nerves, though, particularly about whether he can actually go on for as long as planned.
There’s always those doubts, said Reid
“There’s always those doubts,” said Reid. “But at the end of the day, if I’m moving for 24 hours, that’s what matters.”
In a drive to reach his fundraising goal, Reid also promised to kayak for a whole day around the Gorge in the latter half of November – a test identical to the 24-hour paddle he did last year that raised $5,000 and won him a Movember award.
Reid hopes the $1,194 he has raised as of Oct. 21 and any other donations that roll in will help men in need navigate difficult times.
I’m hoping most of it goes
“I’m hoping most of it goes to the mental health awareness side and getting men the help that they need,” he said. “But prostate cancer and all the other things in men’s health are also important aspects of Movember, so as long as it’s going to a man to help his life and maybe better others, then it’s all good to me.”
To donate, visit ca.movember.com/mospace/15273134, and follow along as Reid trains for the run at www.instagram.com/ethanialreid/.
