A Collingwood woman may have sprinted past her half-marathon fundraising goal early, but her message is more important to her than the money.
Allison Webster will be lacing up to participate in the Toronto Marathon virtually on Oct. 15, and will be running in support of Autism Speaks, a cause that is near and dear to her heart.
“I’m on a spectrum myself,” said the 27-year-old. “I believe everybody that is different has a place in the world. Everyone who is different is not less.”
Webster says she thinks she’s not alone in facing challenges, and the support of her friends and family have helped get her through.
“I’ve faced many challenges in my life,” said Webster. “I’ve been bullied and there are times when I’ve felt I just wanted to give up on life, but then I find the courage.”
“I hope I can inspire others,” she said.
Webster moved to Collingwood when she was eight years old, and currently works at the Collingwood Canadian Tire. In her spare time, she likes to swim, cycle, read, write and act.
She and her friend will be completing the 21-kilometre Toronto Marathon virtually, marking her first foray into marathon running. She has been training with friends multiple times per week in advance of Saturday’s event, doing between eight- and 15-kilometre runs.
“This has been a new thing for me. I never thought of myself as a runner,” said Webster. “My friend asked me to do this run... so I decided to take up the challenge.”
Webster will be raising funds for Autism Speaks, a non-profit that raises funds for autism services and research. Her goal was to raise $1,500 for the cause, however as of Oct. 12 had raised $2,788.
“We’ve had so many people donate,” said Webster.
Webster’s route will start on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8 a.m. at Active Life Conditioning on Stewart Road. She is expected to reach 302 Grey County Road 21 at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m and 113 Lakeshore Rd. E. at 9:30 a.m, with plans to finish again at Active Life Conditioning by 12 p.m. She has invited residents to attend these cheer points along the way if they want to wish her well along her journey.
For more information or to make donations to Allie’s half marathon, click here.
