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North Van endurance runner cries tears of joy after racing 100 kms in 24 hours

She had to combat brutal blisters and swarms of looper moths along the way, but long-distance runner Christina Casperson still managed tears of joy – and exhaustion – after running across the North Shore and back in less than 24 hours earlier this mo
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She had to combat brutal blisters and swarms of looper moths along the way, but long-distance runner Christina Casperson still managed tears of joy – and exhaustion – after running across the North Shore and back in less than 24 hours earlier this month.

Casperson was one of the organizers behind the virtual Run For The Shore event, an endurance run and fundraiser for the North Shore Women’s Centre.

Any time between Sept. 4 and 13 participants were encouraged to independently complete a 100-kilometre- 50-kilometre- or 15-kilometre-route throughout the North Shore backcountry.

Participants got to use the RunGo app which provided them with turn-by-turn instructions along their chosen route, Casperson told the North Shore News back in August.

“We’re really proud of what we created,” said Casperson. “For me, running is actually bigger than myself. It’s about community, it’s about where I live.”

As an ambassador for Run Like A Girl, an international organization which hosts virtual and local runs around the world for charitable causes, Casperson was determined to do the run herself in addition to organizing it.

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Christina Casperson and two other runners set off from Ambleside on the morning of Sept. 4 - photo Christina Casperson

While Casperson is a seasoned endurance runner, it was her first attempt at a 100-kilometre run – and she completed it in less than 24 hours.

Starting the morning of Sept. 4 in Ambleside, Casperson and her team trekked through Cleveland Dam, up Nancy Green Way and along the Baden Powell to Norvan Falls and Lynn Canyon – and then over to Seymour and eventually to Deep Cove through Ridge Runner.

“From there we turned around,” says Casperson. “I had really good support.”

One-hundred and five kilometres later, after battling fatigue, the overnight darkness and scores of insects, Casperson eventually arrived back in Ambleside before 8 a.m. on Sept. 5.

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Christina Casperson at the end of her 105-kilometre journey on Sept. 5 - photo Christina Casperson

“I saved my tears till the end,” she says.

Along with scores of other runners who signed up to complete their own Run For The Shore races, Casperson and company raised more than $13,000, including $5,000 from benefactors Jindra and Laurent Vallieres, for the North Shore Women’s Centre.