Home > The Scene

University student runs 2:55 marathon while wearing a large sign

Evan Ubene and other university athletes are protesting what they see as the Ontario government's inadequate response to COVID-19

On Saturday, Feb. 12, University of McMaster student-athlete Evan Ubene ran a 2:55 marathon in Hamilton off no specific marathon training, while wearing a large cardboard sign protesting the Ontario government’s cuts to public health funding during the pandemic.

A 2:55 marathon is impressive, especially encumbered, as Ubene was, with this giant sign. It might even have been a Guinness World Record if it was done at an in-person event. “Running with the sign was tough going into the wind,” Ubene says. “It’s not the most aerodynamic race outfit.”

Ubene ran the marathon in support of the Kilometres for Public Health campaign, whose objective is to implement healthcare initiatives that will maximize freedom and prevent infection. “Our goal is to push the government to do the right thing,” Ubene says. “People do not seem to think that we can contain the virus, but with proper infrastructure and increased wages of healthcare workers, it will improve the quality of care for everyone.”

The campaign also demands better support for seniors and better accessibility of long-term care. 

This isn’t the first time Ubene has been involved with activism. In 2021, he urged Canadian athletes to boycott the Tokyo Olympics because of the high COVID-19 numbers in Japan to take a stand against corporate greed.

Ubene’s marathon was only planned a week ahead of time, with the route strategically mapped out to raise awareness on the busiest streets in Hamilton. “Many cars honked for support, but what has been more influential for our campaign is OUA athletes covering their logos during competition.”

Ubene explained that last weekend at an indoor track event in Windsor, Ont., athletes from the universities of Guelph and Toronto covered their logos as a statement intended to urge universities to use their platforms to push the government to improve health care access. He is also asking students, parents and coaches to sign an online petition to that effect.

According to Ubene, both administrations at Guelph and McMaster University have deflected the issue, focusing on the protections universities and the government currently have in place which, as university unions have pointed out, are not good enough. Currently, only 45 students have signed the letter, but Ubene believes that once athletes are educated on the campaign, more will come on board.

“Our goal is to get the administration at each university behind us,” Ubene says. “If we want to do sports safely, we will need to do the right thing.”

Find out more about the Kilometres for Public Health campaign, where there are links to the protest demands and a form to get more involved.

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget