Everyone has a story. Some less visible than others.
On August 16–17, I set out to do something I once thought impossible: run two ultramarathons in two days. Day one was a gruelling 50-mile trail run, and day two followed with another 50 km through the mountains. Altogether, it took me 27 hours on my feet to complete the Squamish 50/50.
There were countless moments when I wondered if I could keep going. My legs felt like lead, the climbs never seemed to end, and lining up for another race on the second morning was almost unthinkable. But what carried me through was knowing that the ostomy community was behind me. Every step, I felt the strength of your support. That reminder gave me the energy I needed to push past the doubt and the pain.
This challenge was deeply personal. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 12, I spent years in and out of hospitals. In 2018, after a long battle with my health, my entire large intestine was removed, and I began life with a permanent ileostomy. For years, I was too sick and too underweight to even imagine running again. Yet here I am, crossing the finish line at one of Canada’s toughest trail races. The Squamish 50/50 wasn’t just a race—it was a celebration of resilience and a testament to how far I’ve come.
Before each start, I wrote “Ostomy” and “Strong” on the backs of my hands. Those words reminded me of my purpose: to show that life with an ostomy doesn’t mean giving up your passions, and to raise awareness for the thousands of Canadians living with an ostomy.
Crossing both finish lines was about so much more than distance. It was about perseverance, community, and proving to myself—and to others—that even in the hardest moments, we can keep moving forward.
Thanks to your encouragement, donations, and cheers, together we’ve already raised $18,275 for Ostomy Canada Society. But this journey isn’t over—you can still support the cause and help Ostomy Canada continue its mission by donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ultras-for-ostamies.
This article was written by Alex MacInnis as part of his Ultras for Ostomies campaign with Ostomy Canada Society’s 2025 Step Up For Ostomy fundraiser.
Alex MacInnis and Ostomy Canada’s Executive Director, Bryan Ezako, were featured on the CBC News Vancouver on August 21, 2025!
