Runner inspired by Terry Fox laces up in Winnipeg as part of plan to run 10 marathons in 10 days

Anultra-marathonerinspired by Terry Fox's brisk marathon-a-day pace arrived in WinnipegFriday.

Runninghis seventh marathon and visiting his seventh provincein as many days on Friday morning, Trois-Rivires, Que.'s Patrick Charleboisshaved 11 minutes off his time from the day before, finishing his Winnipeg marathon in 3:05:31.

He said heis inspired by Fox, the young man he watched in awe when he was 10 years old. During his 1980 Marathon of Hope, Fox ran a full marathon 42 kilometres every day.

"I wanted to make some kind of a tribute to that national hero," saidCharlebois, who has previously runseven marathons in seven dayson seven continents.

"That's why we started in St. John's, where hestartedthe Marathon of Hope, and I'm going to end in Vancouver running with DarrellFox,Terry's brother," he said. "I guess it's the closest you can get to TerryFox."

Charleboisis following Fox's lead byraising money for cancer research.

"Inevery city we try to make some noise and askpeopleto make donations,"Charleboissaid Friday in Fox's hometown. "It makes a differencein the livesof a lot of Canadians."

Charleboisstarted his own cross-country expedition like Fox, scoopinga jug of water from the Atlantic Ocean that he plansto pour into the Pacific Ocean once his journey concludes.

He begins each day with 15 pushups, in honour of Fox, who used the same number of pushups to motivate himself.

InCharlebois'sfirst visit to Winnipeg, heranback and forth alongLyndaleDrive 20 times, overlooking the winding Red River. He chose the park because local runners recommended the path.

"It's my first time here this morning and I don't regret so far the choice," he said before setting off.

Charlebois will next run in Regina on Saturday, Calgary on Sunday and Vancouver on Monday.

Visit his website for more information on his journey.