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Canadian ultrarunner heads to St. Lucia to support literacy

Richard Clewes continues efforts to support Caribbean literacy

OneWorld Schoolhouse

Canadian ultrarunner Richard Clewes of Guelph, Ont. is traveling to St. Lucia again this summer to raise funds for children’s literacy. As described in the Guelph Mercury last year, Clewes learned of the scarcity of books and education resources on St. Lucia during a family vacation a few years ago, and immediately saw an opportunity to connect running with efforts to support reading. He and his wife, Sonya White, set up the OneWorld Schoolhouse Foundation and started organizing reading festivals and running events both in Ontario and on the island to raise money for books.

RELATED: Ontario man raises funds for St. Lucian kids literacy program through four-day run

This year’s efforts have already begun at home in central Ontario, with various Guelph-area schools (Clewes’ home town) mounting Find52 relay races to support the cause. Last year Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis’ involvement helped seven schools raise almost $10,000. Then comes the Road to Reading National Relay race around the 198-km perimeter of St. Lucia on July 3, 4 and 5, with kids from many of its 100 schools running 1km segments, and Clewes himself running multiple marathon distances over the course of the event.

Canadian schools are invited to participate by hosting their own Find52 relay race before the end of the school year. Coaches and principals can get more info here.

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