Last summer Will was super excited to run his first trail race, inspired by his mom's newfound love of trail running. Just before the race was set to happen, Will was diagnosed with cancer, and spent the entire summer battling for his life. At times, things looked very bleak, but Will kept a positive attitude and drive to get healthy. Will is now in remission and set to run his first race this upcoming weekend! Volunteers came to Solana and asked to have their credits go towards a 2016 Season's Pass for Will to be able to enjoy this summer, outside and on the trails with 5 Peaks! Will posted this on our Vancouver region page, and we just had to share it.
Will: "Hey 5 Peaks group! I just wanted to say that I am super excited to be running on Saturday. I'm turning 16 this month and this will be my first trail race. Last May I met 5 Peaks Ambassador Ward Beemer and he told me how great it was to run trails. I believed him and signed up for my first 5 Peaks event. I was all set to run Alice Lake last June but I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in May 2015. I was in BC Children's Hospital until October 2015 so not only did I miss then entire 5 Peaks season, I was in isolation for the best summer on record. Ward came to visit me many times and told me tales of his trail running adventures. Solana Klassen, the Vancouver Race Director, gave me cool buffs which helped me to look good on the oncology ward. I am now in remission and plan on spending as much time as I can outdoors. 5 Peaks has been totally awesome and given me a pass for the 2016 season. I will be running the sport course this Saturday at Alice Lake. I've still got a lot of nerve pain from a botched dialysis insertion so you won't see me on the podium. I may not be fast but I am so happy to be out on the trails. Hope to see you all out there on the trails! Feel free to say hi!"