More than a marathon a day for mental health

Diane Wing is running across Manitoba for mental health awareness and for her late husband Kelly.

She will be running 50 kilometres every day for 10 days from July 9 to 18.

Wing began running in 2014 after the loss of her husband Kelly in 2012, who died by suicide.

“It was out of the blue,” said Wing.

Approximately 4,500 people die by suicide, equivalent to 12 people every day, according to Statistics Canada data in 2024.

After running 50 kilometres in one day, Wing is exhausted, and said the feeling starts coming on in the final 10 kilometres.

To top it off in the first day of her run, Wing scraped and bruised her knee and hand after tripping while checking her phone to track how far away the support car was.

“I’m done. My legs are cramping up,” she said about how she feels at the end of the day.

Wing decompresses with a hot bath and prepares for the next day’s 50 kilometres.

She said what keeps her going is her “stubborn and determined” personality and because she has committed to it.

The Portage la Prairie Grade 1 teacher has ran four full marathons, 34 half-marathons, three ultras and one mini-triathlon.

Exhausted after running 23 kilometres on Tuesday, Wing had difficulty putting into words why she does it.

In a July 8 press release prior to the run, she explained her motivation.

“Although there is a lot more awareness today, I feel like there is still a long way to go with education and resources for those impacted by mental illness,” she said. “People, especially men, are still afraid to seek help from others because of the stigma attached to mental illness.”

Wing said she hopes to raise awareness about suicide and prevention, and to educate others about mental health.

Her goal is to raise $10,000. She had raised $8,758 on Tuesday morning.

She said she started running because it gave her time to think, and she loves the natural endorphins.

Wing will be ending day eight of running at Richer on July 16.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is supporting the initiative. People can donate at www.cmhaacrossmb.ca by following the links.

The CMHA advises people to call or text 988 if they’re thinking about suicide or are worried about someone they know. Support is available in English and French.

For more information visit www.988.ca.