Christopher Doxtator plans to swim across Lake Ontario next summer. After he teaches himself to swim.
This summer, though, he is going to challenge himself by doing something he has already mastered – running. from London, Ontario, to St. John’s, Newfoundland. And he’s raising money for the BRIGHT Run along the way.
During his epic run, he will be livestreaming daily on Facebook and reporting his progress on the Les Chater Family YMCA’s website.
“When I planned this challenge, I knew I wanted to raise funds for something important,” said Christopher, a 43-yea-old personal trainer. “I had heard of BRIGHT Run in passing, but after getting to know Kathie and talking about the BRIGHT Run, I decided that’s where the money would go.”
That’s Kathie Ward he’s talking about. Kathie, a member of the YMCA on Rymal Road East, is also a retired registered nurse, a BRIGHT run co-founder, a member of the executive committee, an event day co-lead and a BRIGHT team captain.
“I am so impressed with his determination,” Kathie said of Christopher. “He’s an amazing man.”
The Burlington resident is a health and wellness coach at the Les Chater Family YMCA. He graduated from Mohawk College’s Health, Wellness, and Fitness program in 2023 and holds certifications in Personal Training with Canfitpro and Nutrition Coaching with Precision Nutrition, along with several other certifications for exercise techniques.
A married father of one son, Gabriel, and two stepchildren, Nicolas and Maya, Christopher was a chef for many years, working for a catering company in Toronto that supplied the Air Canada Centre and BMO field.
Being a chef was a childhood dream, but he always had a keen interest in fitness. The career shift occurred around COVID, when he became a personal trainer.
“During COVID, I realized that I really needed to challenge myself,” he said. “I realized I had spent so much time on my occupation for so many years. I decided to do something big for myself.”
Christopher will start running July 1, leaving from London, the city of his birth. He plans to run about 100 kilometres each day. He hopes to arrive in St. John’s – 6,500 kilometres away — by Labour Day.
“This run represents my commitment to my brand of scientific and data-backed fitness training,” he said. “I have been planning extensively for this endeavour on the logistics side, as I take my safety as my number one priority.”
The longest run he’s done previously is a marathon.
Christopher started his physical training in early January, inside, then moved outdoors in May. He is currently focused on interval training to ensure sufficient time to eat, digest, and rehydrate during each day.
His dad, sister and a cousin will be with him on the journey, meeting him at checkpoints for food and water breaks and getting the tent up and ready at the end of each day. Yes, they’re camping their way to Newfoundland!
“We’re long-time campers,” he said. “I do plan to fly home though!”
His wife, Monika, and their son, Gabriel, 11, plan to meet him in St. John’s for the flight home.
Christopher hopes to raise $30,000 on his run. And he’s looking forward to the BRIGHT Run on Sept. 6.
“I’m really excited to attend the event,” he said. “It will be great to meet the BRIGHT Run people.”
Click here to donate to Christopher
