17 marathons in 17 days: Running across Nigeria in pictures

Toronto's Fadesola Adedayo ran 17 marathon in as many days across his birth country of Nigeria in support of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Tim Huebsch June 14, 2016

Locals joining Adedayo as he completes one of his 17 marathons.

Lagos, Nigeria: The end of his run.

Adedayo mid-run during day one of the 17 in 17 run.

Adedayo and his run crew.

Posing with supports on day six.

Celebrating the end of the run with his day 17 flag.

Enjoying a post-run ice bath.

Fans of the run on day two.

With supports of the run.

Running with the 17 in 17 flag.

All smiles on day one.

At the press conference ahead of the 17 in 17 run.

Taking in the views.

There was no lack of support from people as he passed through small villages.

Adedayo talking with the media.

Adedayo posing with some of his crew before the first day of running.

Photos at the end of day three.

Toronto’s Fadesola Adedayo finished his run across Nigeria, his birth country, on May 30 in honour of his late brother in what he called “17 in 17.” Adedayo ran 17 marathons in 17 days, which began in Abuja and finished in Lagos 717 kilometres later.

“Now that the run’s over, everyday some other part of my body aches,” Adedayo said from Nigeria. “At first, I could barely walk: first my Achilles was sore and then it was my knee. It was a mentally exhausting but everyone was so supportive during the run and people greeted us in the villages as we passed through, it was really appreciated.”

Adedayo did the run in support of research and treatment for Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a deadly skin disease that his brother, Adeyosola, died from in 2012. Running helped Adedayo deal with his brother’s death when he was first immobilized by depression. Adeyosola was 27 when he passed away and worked as a doctor in the family’s birth country.

The University of Western Ontario graduate explained that running in the 40C heat of Nigeria was much different than running in the summer heat and humidity of Toronto, where he did much of his training in the lead-up to the 17-day run. The Nigerian government provided Adedayo with an RCMP-equivalent during the run to help keep him safe as he was running on highways.

Not only did the locals donate money to his cause (which he says has now reached more than $10,000) but they also supported him by providing him with food and gasoline for him and his support crew. He had upwards of 10 people consistently accompany him on the trip.

The dual citizen of Canada and Nigeria says that he wants to design a pair of running shoes next given his experience running 17 consecutive marathons. He plans to return to Canada this summer and has spent much of his time since May 30 fielding interviews, recovering from his run and adapting again to normal life.