Run Across Africa

Their names are Erin and Reuben and they are going to Run Across Africa. From the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia, through Zambia and Tanzania to Dar es Salaam and the Indian Ocean. That's a distance of 4200km so they'll average a marathon a day for 100 days. Its possible that they are in fact crazy, but they are undoubtedly passionate and dedicated. Dozens of sponsors are contributing and the money raised will go to education programs in the countries they are running through.

It makes me want to jump on a plane and go, I suppose that's rather predictable of me... jumping on a plane to Africa. But instead I get to contribute in another, positively vicarious way. I'm on the medical support team. How cool is that?!? The 'team' includes two docs from Victoria, myself, and my friend Teresa, a fellow resident at St. Paul's. We'll take turns being 'on call' for the runners and their support team as they jog across the continent. There's something rather exciting about being on call in Africa despite being planted quite firmly in Vancouver. Our 'remote' medical service will include text messages and emailed questions about diarrhea, dehydration, sprained ankles, malaria, bug bites and hopefully nothing catastrophic. It feels good to be involved in something bigger than my current world of residency, St. Paul's, and yuppie Vancouver life.

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