Join Us for the Peterborough, Canal Pursuit Defeat Depression Event!

More event details coming soon!

This year’s Canal Pursuit for Mental Health is a series of events in 8 locations along the original Canal Pursuit route as well as a virtual event. Click on one of the Registration buttons above to register, then choose which event you would like to participate in. The Canal Pursuit events have the letters “CP” in the description. The events without “CP” are Defeat Depression events that take place in late May.

The Canal Pursuit for Mental Health started in 2015 as a 785 km run roughly following the Trent Severn Canal from Port Severn to Trenton and then the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa. Clay ran this entire route the first two years, by running an average of 90 km per day. Since that time, he has led a team of relay runners to continue the battle against depression for years to come by running. The runners ran 5 or 10 km long segments, allowing time to talk with local first responders, sports clubs, community groups, schools, and health groups along the way, keeping the conversation ongoing about mental illness and health.

The purpose of the run is to raise funds and awareness of depression, end the stigma of mental illness, and to encourage people to reach out for help. Clay has organized this run relay in honor of his wife, his daughter and his sister who all suffer from mood disorders, and in memory of his two older brothers who took their own lives.

In 2023 and 2024, Canal Pursuit had a special focus on honoring our military and first responders. The run highlighted Canadian Forces bases in Borden, Trenton, and Kingston, as well as paramedic services, fire services, RCMP, OPP, and Ottawa Police Services.

“The conversation that we want to promote with this project is two-fold”, says Clay. “First, if you’re struggling with a mood disorder, talk to someone you trust. The second part of the message is that physical activity can help make many symptoms of mood disorders more manageable, fitting in with the national Defeat Depression campaign. We all have an important role to play in removing the stigma around mental illness, so that people can feel comfortable reaching out to seek treatment.”

Registration

• Choose to participate in a 5km or 10km section
• View Route

By participating, you’re helping raise awareness and funds to support mental health programs through Mood Disorders Society of Canada. Together, we can fight the stigma and make a meaningful impact.

Questions? Contact us at canalpursuit@gmail.com.

Let’s run to Defeat Depression!