Meet the Kelowna runner planning to go 25 hours straight

Another Kelowna ultra-endurance athlete is gearing up for a dedicated journey, as Savannah Holmes prepares to push her body to the limit once again.

In 2021, she conquered a 500-kilometer run - barefoot - as part of a leadership education program in Uganda. In 2022, she cycled 1,000 km for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Now she will embark on a relentless 25-hour continuous run at Ben Lee Park called, Run4Rescue, all in support of the SA Foundation, who help survivors of human trafficking.

“If you want to make some type of impact in this world, there's a lot of volume that you have to compete against, and so it really requires you to do something abnormal,” she told Kelowna10. “I hope that everyone realizes if they're willing to challenge themselves and have a ‘why’ and are determined with a bit of grit, they can do just about anything as well."

From age 14 to 19, she lived in Africa, an experience she describes as eye-opening and at times, disturbing. Now it gives her a greater appreciation for the privileges and opportunities we enjoy today. Holmes has been an inspirational figure in Kelowna raising awareness for various causes and hopeful of motivating others to do break out of their comfort zone, she said.

“I never want to take that for granted. To know that there's a bit of a ripple effect happening here, and, I've run with people that would never run before,” she explained. “I hope that everyone realizes if they're willing to challenge themselves and have a ‘why’ and are determined with a bit of grit, they can do just about anything as well.”

In the face of pain and obstacles, Holmes finds a method to the madness, emphasizing the importance of remaining true to one's original motivation when pursuing a goal.

“I always say ‘stay loyal to your original why’. I don't ask myself if it's something I want to do because I'm still a human, it's not something I want to do. But, I know the reason that I'm doing it and that is so motivating for me,” she explained. “I don't mind if I'm not enjoying myself… I put it in perspective. 25 hours might seem a long time, but you know, we have our whole lives to be comfortable and happy.”

Run4Rescue begins on Dec 2. at 9 a.m. at Ben Lee Park. Anyone who wants to donate, or volunteer can find more information online.