After holing up indoors until the -28C weather passed, Trevor Redmond — a.k.a. the Fellow in Yellow — has left Huntsville to continue his cross-Canada run.
“I don't want to take even a snippet of frostbite. Could be an issue … So I let the weather tell me when I need to rest. And then in between, it’s just go, go, go, go, go,” Redmond said.
He started his run in Halifax on March 26 and expects to complete the journey sometime in 2025 once he reaches Victoria.
But even then — it won’t be completely over, he said.
“When I can reach every Canadian in some form or another, then that's when I’ve reached my objective,” Redmond said.
After surviving a severe accident at 15 and almost losing his leg, he made a promise to use his mobility for good if he recovered. He said the team of doctors and health-care workers who put his leg back together gave him strength and confidence to keep moving.
Redmond’s mission is about raising awareness and encouraging a mindset change about health and mobility.
While this differs from traditional charity runs like Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope and is less tangible than fundraising, Redmond said it serves to inspire a shift toward valuing physical activity and resilience.
This 2024-25 run marks his third journey across Canada, following a cross-country bicycle ride and a walking expedition. He was waiting out the below-freezing temperatures and staying in Huntsville on Dec. 21.
“It's great that here I am in Huntsville now — still running. And you know, that gift comes from every Canadian that has attached themselves to this journey. There are some amazing people — amazing efforts for people to help me out,” Redmond said.
Redmond encourages people to support charities that promote health, mobility and recovery if they feel inspired. His primary goal is to motivate Canadians to take accountability for their health, emphasizing that regular movement and exercise are crucial for overall well-being.
He also asks the communities he passes through for help in achieving his goals; whether it’s a warm place to stay for the night, snacks to refuel, or donations for him to pay for supplies.
A challenge Redmond encountered while in Huntsville was when a bracket broke on the cart he runs with.
“I was basically stranded on a corner, not really being able to move,” he said.
This was when JSW Manufacturing picked him up and took him back to their shop. The team welded the cart back into working order and reinforced the bottom — allowing Redmond to get back out there and continue his run.
“I couldn't have got this far without that support,” Redmond said.
To learn more about the Fellow in Yellow, visit Trevor Redmond’s website.
Megan Hederson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays for MuskokaRegion.com. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.