A University of Toronto student set out to break personal walking record, trekking 80 km from U of T’s downtown campus to McMaster University in Hamilton
Vittorio Wang, a first-year humanities student at the University of Toronto and self-proclaimed marathon walker, claimed in a Reddit post that he walked 80 kilometres from the University of Toronto to McMaster in 23 hours.
Wang reportedly walked over 107,000 steps with only a water bottle, phone charger and his headphones tuned to a playlist of Radiohead. Guided by Apple Maps, Wang set off at 2:30 p.m. and arrived at McMaster the following day around 2:00 p.m., stopping only briefly along the way.
“I’ve always wanted to visit your beautiful campus,” stated Wang in his post, explaining that he took an additional detour to visit U of T’s Mississauga campus along the way, which increased his total distance to 80 kilometres.
Wang claims he has walked between Malaysian cities before moving to Toronto. Past walks have included crossing into Singapore to access pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, but this trek from Toronto to Hamilton was his longest yet. “I just wanted to beat my record and see if I could do it again,” said Wang in an interview with The Silhouette.
I just wanted to beat my record and see if I could do it again.
Vittorio Wang, first-year humanities student
University of Toronto
His route took him through suburban areas in Oakville and Burlington, avoiding highways but navigating quiet, late-night streets. Wang said that he kept breaks to a minimum, stopping only once around 6:00 a.m. at a Tim Horton’s in Oakville for a brief nap.
During the final stretch, he said that he began to feel the exhaustion set in. Wang recalled the overwhelming sense of accomplishment he felt upon reaching McMaster's main campus. “When I finally saw someone wearing a McMaster shirt, I knew I had made it. It felt surreal,” said Wang.
When I finally saw someone wearing a McMaster shirt, I knew I had make it. It felt surreal.
Vittorio Wang, first-year humanities student
University of Toronto
During his visit, a student in Thode Library helped him log onto a computer. After resting on campus, he took a GO bus back to Toronto. “Some people asked if I’d be walking back, but there was no way I could do that,” said Wang.
Reflecting on the journey, Wang shared that marathon walking provides a unique form of introspection. Friends and Reddit patrons responded enthusiastically to his story, suggesting he take on his next trek for charity, an idea he is now considering.
“If I could inspire others to try something like this, I’d be thrilled,” said Wang. While future plans aren’t concrete, Wang hinted at the possibility of another endurance challenge soon, perhaps this time with a group of like-minded walkers.
The cornerstone of most championship teams is strong depth and players that can be subbed in who will deliver a great performance. This is especially true for the men’s cross country team, led by veteran runner Sergio Raez-Villanueva. With a bevvy of talented players on the roster, the team’s potential is sky high.
At their first meet of the year in Buffalo, the Marauders sat most of their veteran players to give them rest in preparation for a meet which took place this past weekend on the 21. This allowed many of the younger runners a chance to shine, which they most certainly did.
“Veterans and rookies alike, we always say at the end of the day once you’re on the start line it’s all up to you. Sometimes the veteran doesn’t have a good day but the rookie steps up and really helps. We’ve seen that happen before, never count the rookies out or anyone for that matter. It really comes down to how people are feeling and we help each other as a team and that’s why we’re a team in cross country,” said Raez-Villanueva, star of the cross country team.
Placing second overall at the meet, standout players like the aforementioned Raez-Villanueva, Sam Nusselder and Taylor Cornwall posted the top three finishes for McMaster at the Buffalo meet. All together their depth helped them place second overall and only one point behind the hosts, the University of Buffalo Bulls.
“Sometimes people aren’t having a good day and sometimes where it matters you can’t do it for some reason or another, maybe you’re a little sick but then there’s someone else who can take that charge and what’s nice about this team is that we have that depth that when someone is not feeling that well there’s someone who can take charge and help us get back to the place that we need to be in,” Raez-Villanueva added.
Their depth has gained recognition at the national level as they are ranked first in the country, after previously being ranked third at the start of the season. Even though this is very high praise, it is not something the team chooses to focus on.
“You never want to get too confident with rankings and such we don’t want to get into our heads. Within ourselves we always talk, the rank is just there for show sometimes. Sometimes it’ll tell you you’re doing worse some days better but in the end, we’re always training hard, we’re always putting in our best effort it doesn’t matter what they’re saying out there or what people are predicting,” Raez-Villanueva added.
The marauders look to build off a highly successful season last year where they graced the U sports championship podium for the first time in six years. They also got gold for the first time since 1964 at the Ontario University athletics championships last year. All together the cross country team is looking to repeat and have another historic season this year.
The inaugural motionballU Marathon of Sport McMaster took place on Nov. 18. The event made for an exciting day of athletic competition that teamed up McMaster students with Special Olympics athletes in a variety of sports.
Motionball is a not-for-profit organization that builds awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. Founded by brothers Paul, Mark and Sean Etherington in 2002, the organization has held 20 annual events in 18 cites across Canada and have donated over $8 million to the SOCF.
“Our goal was to help get Canada’s next generation involved in the Special Olympics movement through integrated social and sporting events,” said chairman and co-founder Paul Etherington. To continue to do so, the new motionballU program was designed to integrate their marathon of sport event into all the major universities across Canada over the next two to three years.
For Etherington, it is extremely important for students to get involved in organizations like motionball while they are young.
“As we get older, we quickly realize we have to be more well-rounded as a person,” said Etherington. “Yes, you have to be selfish and focus on your studies, your future career and on your friends and family, but there should be a portion of your everyday life that is giving back to your community.”
One Mac student who has recognized this importance at a young age is Dawson Lucier. The McMaster kinesiology student first heard of motionball at the Kinesiology Games, a student-run kinesiology conference.
After witnessing a presentation by motionball and Special Olympics athletes at the conference, Lucier was inspired to get involved with the organization and is now the student coordinator of motionballU Marathon of Sport McMaster.
“The athletes are very accomplished in their involvement with Special Olympics and to introduce the athletes to students at McMaster and vice versa is very important,” said Lucier. “It changes societal attitudes, increases understanding and it is a great fun day of sporting events for a great cause.”
Like Lucier, Mac kinesiology grad student Nelson Saddler also believes in the importance of integration. Nelson and his brother Spencer, who participated at motionball’s Marathon of Sport Toronto event as a Special Olympic athlete, have loved the organization ever since.
“It’s important to play with them and understand that they’re a part of our team,” said Nelson. “We want to increase integration and education as a whole when it comes to special needs.”
And for Spencer, getting to participate directly with the students makes him feel a part of team.
Over the next few years, Lucier is really looking forward to seeing motionballU Marathon of Sport McMaster grow and hopefully transition to an on campus venue so even more students can participate.
“I know that this will be a highlight event for everyone who attends it,” said Lucier. “It’s going to set the motion forward for motionballU for years to come.”
For the event director of Hamilton’s Marathon of Sport event, Alexandria Haggarty, passionate students like Lucier and Saddler are exactly who she hopes become involved in future Marathon of Sport Hamilton events.
Her brother Mark Haggarty, who has down syndrome, has been involved with the Special Olympics since he was five years old. She has seen first-hand the positive influence the SOCF has had on his life, and has been involved with the organization either traveling around with him, volunteering or coaching on his swim team.
Alexandria first heard about motionball while at Dalhousie University, and immediately knew she had to be involved. It was when she moved back to Ontario that she was able to bring her brother to the Toronto event to experience it for himself.
After participating in Toronto, her brother, who is one of Mac student’s favourite employees at the David Braley Athletic Centre, could not wait for the event to come to his hometown.
“We grew up in Hamilton, so he looked at me immediately and said ‘So when are we doing this in Hamilton?’” said Alexandria. “So the following year we looked into being able to set it up in Hamilton.”
Motionball has now held two events in Hamilton, and they have raised a total of $82,000 for the SOCF.
“MotionballU is a great opportunity for students to get to know the charity,” said Alexandria. “Our hope is that once they graduate if they stay within the area, or even if they move to other cities, they can join on to the full Marathon of Sport events. Hopefully students that will graduate from McMaster will come join the Hamilton event as either volunteers, committee members or participants.”
For students with a passion for sports and a heart for giving back to their community, getting involved with motionball’s Marathon of Sport events is the way to go. The successful McMaster event was hopefully the first of many for any Mac student who missed out.
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