Have you seen the Ajax Spider-Man? This real life super hero is running 28 marathons over 28 days in support of the Terry Fox foundation with the goal of raising $20,000, which has been surpassed, according to Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax.
The man behind the mask is Wayne Young, who even though has surpassed the fundraising goal, will keep running the 28 marathons every day for 28 days in and around Ajax, as the 28th day is this Saturday, September 25.
How did it start? Here is Spiderman Young’s story:
“When I was in public school I remember the excitement about Terry Fox running across Canada to raise awareness and support for cancer research. I always participated in the school runs every year. However, it was not until my best friend Greg Kooistra was diagnosed with cancer that it hit close to home. What inspired me the most about him was his determination to ability to keep a positive outlook on life. Even when they had to amputate his leg, he talked about getting his skates on and playing hockey again (which he did do),” says Young.
Fast forward a few decades and my own father was diagnosed with throat cancer. He too was determined and had a strong will to live. Always joking right to the end, just like he always did. My father died shortly after my son was born, which really hit me hard. He managed to stay with us long enough to see his first grandson. We have all been touched in some form by someone we know that has passed away or survived cancer. These people are the true superheroes! I just knew I had to do something to help out in some way. Together we can make a difference.
Some may think I have always been a runner well that is far from the truth. The most running I did before this was likely playing little league baseball running after hitting the ball. I did play sports but never professionally.”
The First Marathon
Luckily, our work started a workout circuit session for beginners every Tuesday and Thursday at lunch. Nothing crazy just simple exercises you can do as a group for 30 minutes.
After 6 months this turned into some run/walks around the city. I found I enjoyed the running and began to take it more seriously finding a run group after work. After two years of training and running I ran my first marathon in 2015 not a bad time either 3 hours and 58 minutes (my goal was under 4 hours).
Disney Marathon
In 2016 I combined my joy for Disney and running participating in my first Dopey Challenge running a 5KM, 10KM, Half Marathon and Full Marathon race in 4 days. This was also the same year I decided I just may have it in me to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Although my qualifying time would need to be under 3 hours and 10 minutes. Not an easy task.
I decided In March of 2020 not to waste all that training and focus on a new personal goal – How could I support a charity I believe in and also do something for my community.
I began running in a Spider-Man outfit to cheer kids up that were stuck inside doing virtual school.
This became so popular I Ran 7 marathons in 7 Days for the Terry Fox Foundation and raised over $5000.
With the help of my friends, reaching my goal was a lot easier on most days. They are always there always willing to help out.
Bigger Goals In 2021
I knew for 2021 I could go bigger and harness some of that dedication and determination my best friend Greg and my dad had. I know both of them are supporting from above, this is my biggest challenge to date. Together we can make a difference, it is not what you do for yourself, but how can you make your community a better place?
Even though I have still not had a chance to run Boston, I will be there one day. However, to me these marathons I will be running are for all the people that can’t and are fighting hard just to have one more day. That means more to me than a finisher medal.
Why Spider-Man?
“First off, I am no stranger to dressing-up in costumes, one I love Halloween. Two, I was the mascot for the Belleville Bulls, Toronto Marlies, Tallahassee Tiger Sharks, and did a stint as Peter Puck for a CBC special event. Three, Disney races encourage crazy costumes!
As a kid I loved comics. Spider-Man always stuck out to me as an interesting hero. He was just a kid in high school, no fortune, and in some cases a little bit of an outcast. But as Spider-Man everyone loved him, and he fought for the little people.
I bought the spider-man outfit for a local 5KM Super Hero race on the Toronto Island. I also used the costume for the Disney Marathon in 2020, which is where I learned I could wear it in the extreme heat and still run.
Since I had the outfit, I decided March of 2020 to wear it on runs in my community to cheer people up, after that Ajax Spider-Man was born.