A Surrey, B.C. man who is running across Canada made a stop in Central Alberta this past weekend.
Former Canadian Border Services Agency officer Sachin Latti began the 7,500-kilometre trek in Victoria, B.C. on June 16, aiming to raise $1 million to support Canadian organizations that support mental health and related substance use challenges.
“This journey supports a cause that hits close to home and where every kilometre run, dollar raised, and conversation started helps to break down dangerous stigmas surrounding mental health,” said Latti, who made a stop in Lacombe on the morning of Sunday, June 6.
“My success is measured in lives touched, funds raised, and awareness created for a health challenge that more than five million Canadians face daily.”
Latti will run an ultramarathon every day throughout this "Sach In Motion" 80-day cross-Canada run. During this journey, he is aiming to start dialogues about various components of mental health.
One of the areas of focus is the mental health of first responders and veterans, which is a demographic facing disproportionate mental health challenges with 44.5 pre cent of Canadian public safety professionals screening positive for one or more mental health disorders, a media release highlighting Latti's cross-country journey, states, adding "more than one third of Canadian veterans report a mental health problem."
After serving 18 years with the Canada Border Services Agency, Latti experienced his own mental health challenges, leading him to a transition from law enforcement to an ultra-endurance athlete and marathoner.
So far, Sach In Motion has raised about $100,000. These funds will be donated to a variety of organizations, including Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, Together We Can, Their Opportunity, Wounded Warriors Canada, and Jack.org.
As the first person of colour to run across Canada, Latti said he feels honoured to follow in the steps of hero Terry Fox, who famously ran a "Marathon of Hope" across Canada to raise money for cancer research in 1980.
For more information, to track Latti's progress across Canada or to make a donation, visit www.sachinmotion.ca.
