Last year, Kai Dorin and Nicholas Sakamoto ran from UVic to Nanaimo. This year, they’re hoping to one up themselves
Courtesy of Kai Dorin and Nicholas Sakamoto.
Last November, two UVic students, Kai Dorin and Nicholas Sakamoto, ran 126 kilometres from UVic to Nanaimo hoping to raise money for Movember, a movement raising awareness for men’s mental and physical health conditions, such as prostate cancer.
This year, the duo is hoping to outshine themselves by running for 24 hours around the Oak Bay Track.
The pair set out to raise $2 500 last year, but ultimately overtook their goal, raising over $8 500. Over the summer, Dorin and Sakamoto attended the Movember Awards, where they won the “Going the Distance” award.
At the awards, the pair were told they have to “one up” themselves this coming November, so this year, Dorin and Sakamoto are hoping to raise $10 000, and anticipate running 150 to 160 km.
The duo chose to run the track this year partly for easier logistics, and a greater opportunity for community involvement.
However, finding a track still proved to be a challenge. “It was certainly challenging finding a track that would let us do this because we have to be there overnight, too. The Oak Bay School district … they’re very kind to us,” Dorin said. “[But] it’s a lot easier for people to come and watch.”
“It’ll be nice to have some more people come out,” Sakamoto said.
In preparation for the arduous 24-hour run, Sakamoto — who was recently injured — told the Martlet he has been doing “lots of volume [and] lots of long distance runs.”
Dorin told the Martlet that, as part of his training, he has also been preparing for an Iron Man Triathlon.
One reason they chose a 24-hour run was to make the goal feel more “crazy.” The duo said that running from one point to another, like they did last year, may not seem as arduous as continually running the same track for a full day straight.
Last year, Dorin told the Martlet the run was so physically demanding that it became a “mind over matter” situation, forcing the pair to push through discomfort.
“We found last year, once it got dark, the mental [aspect] definitely played a part in the run…. It’s just one of those things that you can’t completely prepare for,” Dorin said. “Thankfully, [Sakamoto] and I have each other for that.”
Sakamoto is now in his fourth year of kinesiology, and Dorin is in his fourth year of political science at UVic. The two met in their first year while living in residence, and have stayed friends throughout their time at the university.
Last year, the duo only had themselves and two friends in a support vehicle on the run. This year, Dorin and Sakamoto will not only be supported by each other, but by their friends and likely members of the community.
The run will take place on Nov. 29 at the Oak Bay Track, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at the same time the next day. Dorin and Sakamoto said they are hoping to livestream the event.
Interested community members can visit the duo’s donation page, which tracks money raised. They also have an Instagram page, where they will post updates and announcements for the run.
