Last month, Maj Brent McIntyre, a Construction Engineering officer and incoming OC of RP Ops Det NCR, completed his first-ever marathon at the Ottawa Race Weekend. To add to the daunting challenge, Brent chose to carry a 43-pound rucksack. The idea came six months earlier while thinking of a fundraising idea to support Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), an important organization to his family. Maj McIntyre's daughter Raechel has been diagnosed with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular disorder. The condition prevents Rae from ever standing on her own and has many other impacts on her day-to-day life. The McIntyre family has just relocated to the NCR and are making many accessibility modifications to their home to allow Rae more independence, such as an electric lift and power-operated door so she can enter the house with her wheelchair.

The 43-pound rucksack representents Raechel's current weight and signifies the physical requirements of supporting a daughter who cannot do most physical activities independently. After some injury concerns that limited the last two months of training, Maj McIntyre completed the marathon in 5 hours and 6 minutes, averaging just over a 7min/km pace. So far he has raised just over $6,000 for MDC, a critical resource in supporting equipment funding programs and research. There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy but recent developments leave hope for the future. 

If you would like to support Brent in his fundraising efforts, donations can be made here: Brent McIntyre - 2024 Walk & Roll for MDC (akaraisin.com)