Winnipeg runner nearing $100K raised for charity since beginning Boxing Day ultramarathon tradition

A Winnipeg man ran for 24 hours on Boxing Day to raise money for a homeless shelter in the city. @swiddarassy speaks with him to see how much money he raised and why this run means so much to him.

By Swidda Rassy

What started as a way to avoid the chaos of holiday consumerism has turned into a yearly tradition supporting a great cause.

When Junel Malapad started running his first ultramarathon on Boxing Day 2015, it was his way of doing something he loved – instead of spending time in a shopping mall.

Seven years later, Malapad has raised tens of thousands of dollars and he’s helping Winnipeggers along the way.

“One year I ran 12 hours, one year I ran 24 hours, one year 48 hours, one year I wanted to run 150 miles and it didn’t matter how long it took,” he said.

Winnipeg runner Junel Malapad. (Credit: Junel Malapad/provided)

Malapad’s Boxing Day run quickly took on new meaning the year after his inaugural event.

“I learned that somebody froze to death in a bus shack, and I thought, ‘we live in Winnipeg, it’s a big city, people shouldn’t be freezing to death,’” he said.

That’s when he decided to run for a cause. He calls it the “Change Boxing Day to Running Day” fundraiser – a yearly running event to help raise money for Siloam Mission, an organization helping the city’s unhoused community.

“It’s a really strong emotional experience when you’re standing in a room full of beds and you’re looking out the window and the wind is blowing and imagine if you will, you need that service,” said Malapad.

This year Malapad raised more than $11,000 for Siloam Mission. He’s raised more than $95,000 since 2016.

“We raised, right now, currently $4,000 and some change, and also my friends at Access Storage generously donated $7,500,” he said.

Winnipeg runner Junel Malapad. (Credit: Junel Malapad/provided)

On Monday Malapad ran a total of 129 kilometres, only stopping for snacks, bathroom breaks or a change of clothes.

“I switched up my clothes six or seven times because if you spend a lot of time exercising outside you’re going to get soaking wet, and it’s not a good thing to be wet outside in the winter time,” he said.

Malapad says the best part of it all is the support he gets from other runners.

“I feel that at least 100 people, at different times came and supported. Every hour there was always somebody there, some people dropped off, some people came in.”

Malapad says he’s hoping his yearly tradition inspires others to give back to the community.

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