Dr. Brian Moulson knew Rev. Jim Veitch was dedicated to helping people at Kootenay Lake Hospital, but wasn't always aware how far Veitch would go to help.
Until last year Moulson didn't know the 77-year-old walked 63-and-a-half kilometres in one day every year to raise money for the hospital.
"I saw it in the paper last year," Moulson said.
Moulson talked to Veitch about the gruelling walkathon and the result is that this year the walking minister will have company.
Moulson will join Veitch on June 5 at the Great Walk,"America's Toughest Walkathon," from Gold River to Tahsis on Vancouver Island, a walkathon organized since 1977 by the Tahsis Lion's Club in which participants can choose the charity that will benefit.
Moulson, who is chief of medical staff at Kootenay Lake Hospital, knows Veitch because the minister still regularly visits patients at the hospital.
"He's the minister I see most often up there," the doctor explained.
Moulson also practiced medicine in Gold River for a short time, doubling his interest in the walkathon and prompting him to talk to Veitch about it.
"It was a very subtle recruiting initiative," Moulson said. "He said, 'Oh, well, you should come along one day.'
"The walking minister said he didn't really do any recruiting.
"He tracked me down," Veitch said.
Veitch has done the great walk annually since 1990, missing only once in 10 years, and has three trophies for being the oldest walker in a day long hike that's had participants from age six to 82.
The walk is a long a forest service road --the pavement ends at Gold River --- and is "gorgeous," according to Veitch.
He's "just rarin' to go" again, simply asking that people "give me 12 hours or more.
"There have been walks where Veitch has had a hard time completing the entire trek, he admits.
One time he was getting "a little weary" so when he saw a pool of water next to the road, he decided it was time for a little rest before he carried on.
"I just went and lay down in there, socks and shoes and pants and all," he said.
Another time Veitch got some help over the last mile or two to Tahsis from some young people who walked on either side of him with his arms over their shoulders.
"I'm hoping neither of us will have to do that this year," he said.
The walk starts at 4 a.m. and everyone must finish by 9 p.m. or they'll be forced to take a ride the rest of the way to Tahsis.
Last year there were about 700 participants who walked, speed walked and even ran the 63-and-a-half kilometres, with the fastest completion time ever being four-hand-a-half hours.
"Others like me just try to keep up with athletes like him", Moulson said, indicating Veitch. "That's my goal, is just to try to keep up with Reverend Veitch".
Moulson has been going for daily five kilometre hikes with his wife to train for the walk and the doctor and the reverend are talking about doing a practice hike one of these days.
"I've never walked this distance in one day," said Moulson, who went nordic skiing in the winter in preparation for the Great Walk. "We'll see if the knees hold up".
The two are also busy collecting sponsors for the walk, with all pledges welcomed with "wide open arms," Veitch said.
"We hope to be able to raise a reasonable amount of funds," said Moulson. "It's all charitable donations.
"People who want to sponsor one or both of the walkers can do so by calling Bryna Idler in the morning at the hospital foundation office, 250-354-2334.
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