Military police member plans solo run of Island

Sergeant Daniel Mongraw

Sergeant Daniel Mongraw

Peter Mallett
Staff Writer
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Sergeant Daniel Mongraw usually runs for himself, but this year he has decided to run for others.

The military police officer has an ambitious plan to run the length of Vancouver Island to raise money for the Military Police Fund for Blind Children. He is not the first to complete this feat. Legendary distant runner Al Howie completed it in 1978. Sgt Mongraw will pause in Port Hardy to honour the legendary distance runner who died in 2016 at age 71.

“He once completed the task within five days, which is truly astonishing,” says Sgt. Mongraw, 37.

He will take 10 days to tackle the 495 kilometres, starting April 1. 

“I am confident I can do this. It’s a good way to use my time for a good cause. Since children and families can benefit from the much-needed additional funding I raise, I feel it’s a great thing to accomplish.”

He is not a competitive runner, no marathon medals line his wall. He runs for mental health and fitness. The sport took hold as a lad when he was ­punished for misbehaving by his teacher and told to run laps

around the school yard. To the bewilderment of his teacher and classmates, he willingly accepted the punishment and did extra laps.

“Since that point, running has been great for me and I get a true sense of accomplishment when I complete my runs every day.”

For the 10-day journey, he must maintain a speed of nine kilometres per hour for 10 to 13 hours per day. A police escort will keep him safe on the roadside. He hopes a recreational dealership will donate an RV for lodging, to cut down on costs and help with physical distancing.

Further down the road, after accomplishing his Vancouver Island run, Sgt Mongraw plans to complete the same cross-Canada run Howie completed in 1991. That’s when he ran from St. John’s, NFLD, to Victoria – a distance of 7,295 km in 72 days.

That will be another fundraiser for the Military Police Fund for Blind Children.

To donate to Sgt Mongraw’s run, go to Truenorthcharitiesfdn.com and click on donate.

For more information email truenorthcharities@gmail.com

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