When she isn’t at her job as Victoria’s emergency-program co-ordinator, there’s a good chance that Tanya Seal-Jones is running along a trail somewhere on the Island.
That’s the life of an ultra-marathoner — someone who runs races longer than a marathon — especially when gearing up for an event.
Seal-Jones is preparing for the Divide 200, a 200-mile (322-kilometre) test of will and stamina being held from Sept. 10-14 in the Castle, Crowsnest and Flathead regions of the Rockies.
The field is capped at 100 entries, so Seal-Jones can count on being in select company.
She is using the race as a fundraiser for the Balfour’s Friends Foundation, a Vancouver Island charity that helps people with limited income to get essential veterinary care for their pets.
For Seal-Jones, her golden doodle Sandy is a big part of her training and her life, and the foundation aligns with her affection for animals.
She runs both alone and with friends, and Sandy sometimes comes along on runs that don’t exceed about 20 km.
“I’ve always enjoyed running but the first ultra race I did was 2021,” Seal-Jones said.
That was a 50-km run in the Finlayson Arm area.
The Divide 200 starts in Pincher Creek, Alta., and heads into the mountains to the Great Divide Trail, then to the Alberta/B.C. border before looping back to the start.
The elevation increase on the route is over 12,000 metres.
Seal-Jones, 46, said she has done marathons on road courses, but definitely prefers ultra-marathon distances in natural settings.
“I like being out there in the woods and not pounding pavement,” she said.
Her normal routine is to run six days a week and rest for one.
As she gears up for the big race, she has been doing back-to-back runs of eight to 10 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
“It’s just getting time on the feet and getting used to being out there for long periods,” Seal-Jones said.
With her two sons now 17 and 19, it’s getting easier to make the time commitment that’s needed, she said.
Locally, she has a Finlayson Arm route that includes Mount Finlayson, Jocelyn Hill and Mount Work, and has also been doing a lot of running in Strathcona Provincial Park — where she took on the Golden Hinde, the Island’s highest peak.
With her job based at the Victoria Fire Department, her fundraising support so far has included a $650 donation from the Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation. Donations can be made through her fundraising page at zeffy.com/en-CA/fundraising/36d5e670-2270-4c12-b691-24eb71d472dc, which has already exceeded its goal of $3,250.
Community kitchen stocks up for back to school
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen is continuing to raise funds for its Back to School Stock Up campaign to ensure that the more than 500 children it serves have nutritious meals and snacks as they return to classes.
“At this point, we are asking for cash donations, which allow us to purchase fresh produce, dairy and other perishable items that are essential for a balanced diet,” said director of operations Kim Cummins. “Your dollar will stretch further as we work with local suppliers to get the best deals.”
Past board chair Clarice Dillman said the campaign is helping parents facing increasing challenges to provide for their families.
“With rising housing and food costs, providing nutritious meals for children has become more difficult, putting many kids at risk of going to school hungry.”
Any size of donation is appreciated and all are eligible for a tax receipt.
The Shelbourne Community Kitchen is a 12-year-old neighbourhood food centre that includes two gardens that supply produce from May to September, a pantry program that allows people to choose their food, and a range of cooking and food-skills programs.
The campaign began Aug. 26 and runs through Wednesday, with a goal of raising $12,000 for students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
Donations can be made atshelbournecommunitykitchen.ca or canadahelps.org/en/charities/shelbourne_community_kitchen, and all contributions are eligible for a tax receipt.
Two events coming up at Abkhazi Garden
Abkhazi Garden at 1964 Fairfield Rd. has two events coming up, Grandparents Day on Sept. 8 and a gathering to mark the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
Grandparents Day runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with no entry after 4 p.m.
There will be games on the lawn and an afternoon tea, as well as a fall plant sale.
Proceeds will go to maintain the garden.
The Sept. 21 event also runs from 11 a. m.-5 p.m. and includes performances at 11:30 a.m. by the Joy of Life Choir, at 1:30 p.m. by the Vancouver Island Chamber Choir, and at 3:30 p.m. by the Kalyna Ukrainian Choir and the Ukrainian Children’s Choir.
Parking is available on the street and at St. Matthias Anglican Church.
Admission is by donation.
Team Victoria-ous raises nearly $60,000 for cancer
William Litchfield and the rest of Team Victoria-ous wound up with $58,500 in donations in the annual Tour de Cure Aug. 24-25, part of a record $7.3 million raised at the event for the B.C. Cancer Foundation — up more than $200,000 from 2023.
“This was my third time riding and every time is unbelievably emotional and exciting,” said Litchfield, team captain and the foundation’s executive director on Vancouver Island.
All of the team’s 19 members work for B.C. Cancer, he said.
Litchfield said he rode for his best friend who was diagnosed with testicular cancer, his father-in-law who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and family members with breast cancer.
“I ride for those who can’t ride.”
The first day of the two-day, 200-kilometre ride brought very heavy rain but there were still smiles all around from the team, Litchfield said.
“Our team funds stay on the Island and support families with extra financial costs of cancer care, whether that’s travel or special equipment or anything they need.”
The Tour de Cure was first held in 2009.
Donations can still be made at tourdecure.ca.
Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope steps off on Sept. 8
The Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope takes place Sept. 8 both virtually and in communities across the country.
The local event is being held on the lower field at Royal Roads University, by the boat house.
The walk raises funds for ovarian cancer research and education.
Event-day registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by the walk at 10 a.m.
Preregister or donate at ovariancanada.org.
