Local athlete runs from Marathon to Athens for diabetes research

Following in the footsteps of the first marathon runners, Taylor Shantz will run from the beaches of Marathon to Athens, Greece this November, in an effort to meet her fundraising goal of $20,000 for diabetes research.

Shantz ran in her first organized event in 2005, after reluctantly accepting a friend’s challenge to participate in a 10-kilometre run for diabetes. Four years later, the Sudbury native is an active member of Team Diabetes and has logged countless kilometers in Canada, Brazil and Iceland, raising more than $16,000 for the charity to date.

“My first race was a pretty daunting task. I was about 45 pounds overweight at the time, so I wasn’t in the best of shape, but it was a charity in which I believe, so I strapped on my sneakers,” Shantz said. “I met some truly inspiring people training for this run, and this piqued my interest in the cause.”

Despite having raced in several countries around the world with distances ranging up to 21.1-km per event, running is not something that comes naturally to Shantz. This coming race will mark her greatest challenge yet, running 42.2-km from Marathon to Athens in Greece.

“I am not a runner, but I know that with every step, I’m a little bit closer to meeting my goal of raising $20,000 for diabetes research, and helping those who suffer from the disease,” she said. “This is what keeps me going, especially in the longer races. You can bet that I’ll be thinking about all those who have been affected by diabetes when the 30-km wall hits as I close in on Athens.”

More than two million Canadians have diabetes, a disease that effects the body’s ability to produce or effectively use insulin.

“I do not have diabetes... However, I have seen the impact that diabetes has on individuals and their family. Something must be done,” Shantz said. “I’ve successfully fundraised in the past, and I know I can run. It seemed natural to bring the two together to try to make a difference.”

An online charity auction is being held to help Taylor meet her fundraising goal for the Canadian Diabetes Association at www.realauction.ca/teamdiabetes-sudbury. To make a donation, visit Shantz's Team Diabetes webpage at www.taylorshantz.com.