Runner crossing Canada 25 miles at a time

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 17 (UPI) -- A brain-damaged man jogging across Canada 25 miles per day had 870 miles behind him Tuesday in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 4,700 miles to go.

British Columbia native David McGuire, 38, is on his "Run to Remember," an initiative to raise awareness of brain injuries and funds for treatment and research in conjunction with the non-profit Braintrust Canada.

He set off from Newfoundland April 1 and is scheduled to reach his West Coast home by November.

Along the way, he has been making stops at schools and making media appearances to stress injury prevention. Braintrust says 94 percent of brain injuries are preventable.

In 2005, McGuire's brain began bleeding and he was comatose for a week. Despite doctors' prognosis he wouldn't talk or walk again, he did, although with memory problems.

Run manager Melissa Wild said McGuire has retired four pairs of running shoes so far and is now alternating among three pairs, all of which are donated by Foot Solutions.

Asked in a telephone interview what he thinks of when he's tired or discouraged, McGuire told UPI he focuses on the positive.

"I think of the people who aren't able to do this [running] because of their injuries," he said. "Then there's the point that I want to get home and be with my wife."

His progress can be followed at www.runtoremember.com and on YouTube by searching his name.