Noah Allison is kicking things up a notch as he gears up for his annual cancer fundraiser.
Two years ago, Noah launched 144 Kilometres for Markus, a fundraising run from Prince Rupert to Terrace in honour of his father who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2019. Before Markus passed away in 2023, Noah vowed to do something positive with his father's journey and use it as inspiration.
"I truly think that maybe cancer needed another fundraiser, because since, I've had a burning passion to make a difference and inspire change," he said.
Noah has made a difference since then, raising more than $10,000 through two fundraisers that saw him run nearly a half-marathon a day for seven days straight. This year, he wants to push himself even further.
Starting on Saturday, Aug. 9, Noah will be running from the Lester Centre of the Arts in Prince Rupert to George Little Park in Terrace, and back, all in just one week. He is rebranding the fundraiser to Miles for Markus and will be running a total of 300 kilometres, more than double the distance of his first two runs broken down into a full marathon each day.
As someone who had never run more than 10 kilometres before he started the fundraiser, Noah used his family and Markus' legacy for inspiration.
"To deal with the massive distance, I broke it into 20 kilometres per day, running five-kilometre sections before stopping for a rest," he recalled. "It was one of the most painful but inspiring weeks of my life."
Running became Noah's outlet and a space where he could breathe and hope during his father's battle.
"It wasn't until my father's health started deteriorating that I realized the healing benefits of what I was getting out of running," he said.
Noah had Markus by his side every step of the way during his inaugural run, a memory he will never forget.
After fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society the past two years, Noah is raising funds for another initiative that hits close to home鈥攖he BC Cancer Foundation's Patient Relief Fund. The fund covers essentials such as medications, travel, accommodation vouchers, grocery gift cards, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, dental care and more to all residents in B.C. who are dealing with cancer.
Noah said the fund is perfect for people like him who live in the north.
"Throughout my father Markus's journey, we were forced to travel tons, and we made many trips to Prince George and Vancouver, as well as countless trips to Terrace," he recalled.
"All of these trips add up incredibly fast, financially, whether it's gas or flights, hotels and accommodations or the basics such as food or supplements, it's all incredibly expensive. Fighting cancer is scary enough without financial stress."
Noah is expecting to have 30 friends and family run sections alongside him again, just like they did in the previous two fundraisers, which he said is key for maintaining his motivation. In addition to friends and family, Noah said he has had a full range of people join him on the highway, such as life-long runners, first-time runners, 'haven't run in 30 years' runners, and his all-time favourite 'I hate running' runners who still come out to support him and his cause.
"Some are there to support me, some are there in memory of my late father or their own loved one, and some come for a local running event," he said. "Everyone who joins me has something in common鈥攖hey've all been touched by cancer."
Noah will have a road crew each day who will carry supplies, take photos and videos, give participants rides back to their cars when they are done running and keep everyone safe. He will also be designing custom race bibs and stickers for all participants to wear.
He also has a where people can donate to the cause.