Megan Wotherspoon, a teacher and ultramarathon runner from Saskatoon, has started a 1,500-kilometre journey across Saskatchewan in memory of her mother, Louise Tokaruk, who died from leukemia in 1995 at the age of 38.

Wotherspoon, who is now approaching the same age her mother was when she died, said the milestone inspired her to take on a meaningful challenge that would honour her mother’s life and legacy while supporting cancer research.The run began in Stony Rapids, near the Northwest Territories border, and will finish in Climax, Saskatchewan, close to the U.S.border and also the birthplace of her mother.Wotherspoon plans to cover approximately 60 kilometres per day over 30 consecutive days.

Her route crosses four ecozones and multiple Treaty territories, reflecting both her appreciation for the land and her commitment to incorporating Treaty education into the project.

An experienced endurance athlete, Wotherspoon has previously completed ultramarathons of 100 and 160 kilometres, but she acknowledged that maintaining marathon-level distances every day for a month presents a new challenge.She has chosen mainly rural gravel roads to reduce strain on her body during the run.Family members, including her father, brother, and stepmother, are supporting her throughout the trip with vehicles and logistics.Wotherspoon is also fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, aiming to raise $10 for every kilometre completed.

Her father noted that the type of leukemia that claimed his wife’s life decades ago would likely be treatable today due to advances in medical research.

Wotherspoon cited Canadian icon Terry Fox as one of her inspirations and said she hopes her journey will encourage others while keeping her mother’s memory alive.