Who says running is purely physical?

Everyone has a reason for being physically active. For some, it’s building the perfect physique. For others, it’s simply a desire to lose weight.

For Kim Toews, running every morning is essential to her mental well-being.

“It’s the first thing in a series of things,” said Toews, adding that a proper diet contributes to mental health as well. “It’s all connected.”

Toews has worked in the mental health field for many years and has seen first-hand how much of a difference proper diet and exercise can make in people’s lives.

“I go for a run first thing every morning,” said Toews, who lives in Morris.

It’s proven that exercise releases endorphins, which have a positive effect on people’s moods. So, the more physically active you are, the happier you are. The combination of improved physique and personal accomplishment is a great confidence booster.

Although Toews credits her morning routine as one of the major contributors to achieving positive mental health, there are other benefits as well.

Toews has run four ‘destination marathons’, the last of which was the Great Wall of China Marathon in Beijing this past spring.

“This one was probably the most memorable,” said Toews. “I’ve done big marathons, and this one was my worst time ever,” she said with a laugh.

“But it was definitely the most exciting one I’ve been on.”

Toews became involved with the marathon through the Joints in Motion program. Joints in Motion members participate in several destination runs each year to raise money for arthritis research. Participants are required to raise a set amount of money in pledges, which is dependent on the destination. However, they do not pay for their airfare or accommodations.

Toews said it’s amazing how much rural communities come together to support a good cause.

Toews raised $6,500 for her most recent marathon. She said it was hard work, but it was worth it.

“The arthritis society can be seen as one of the places that doesn’t get as many donations,” Toews said. “Yet we almost all have people in our lives with arthritis.”

Seventeen Manitobans ran in Beijing this spring, raising over $120,000.

Chris Glowach, a Joints in Motion co-ordinator, said that the destination marathons are a win-win-win opportunity.

“People get physically active, raise money for a good cause, and get to travel,” he said, noting that he has met some amazing people at various marathons around the world. “They’re all doing it for the same reason.”

Glowach began running in 1979, and has completed 60 marathons since that time. Although he has won several Manitoba Marathons, the competition is not what entices him to run.

“It’s a personal challenge you take on, he said. “People do it for a great cause, but they win personally too because they take on that challenge of getting physically fit.”

The Joints in Motion program is not just for seasoned runners. Novices are put through a training regiment that allows them to compete.

Glowach urges anyone who is interested in destination races to contact him at cglowach@mb.arthritis.ca.

The next major destination marathon will be held in Jamaica this December. Next year’s events will be in Italy and Australia.