Jason and Aubree Holtvogt. (Submitted photo/Jason Holtvogt)

By Angie Rolheiser

Humboldt man raising funds for type 1 diabetes research through ultra-marathon this weekend

Jul 29, 2021 | 12:17 PM

A Humboldt man will set out to run four miles every four hours for 48 hours this weekend.

Jason Holtvogt is doing the run to raise funds for type 1 diabetes research.

As a parent of a type 1 diabetic, he looks at this challenge as the mental grind that the parent, caregiver or someone with type 1 diabetes goes through on a daily basis.

“Checking sugars and maintaining health through the night so waking up, checking sugars, and then going back to bed,” Holtvogt said. “Waking up every four hours isn’t totally uncommon for us.”

Holtvogt brought the idea of doing the 4x4x48 run to the type 1 diabetic group in Humboldt, which he is a member of, about three months ago.

First meeting

Interest piqued after Melfort Neighbourhood Watch program info meeting

Apr 24, 2024

Wasted fish

Fish abandoned at Deschambault Lake

Apr 23, 2024

Leadership Needed to Stop Federal Overreach

Apr 23, 2024

“My daughter Aubree was diagnosed diabetic in June of 2018 at the age of four,” Holtvogt said. “When she was diagnosed, you don’t get the option to not do it, it is presented to you and it is like running a marathon from the start.”

For the past three months, Holtvogt has been preparing for the run with the help of a support group. He has been working with multiple trainers, dietitian, a physiotherapist, and chiropractors.

“I am feeling very confident that I can do it but of course there are environmental factors. It is going to be hot this weekend,” Holtvogt said. “The group that I do have around me to help me out is incredible and have done everything they could to get me ready for this.”

The first run will leave from the west side of the Elgar Petersen Arena at 8 p.m. tomorrow night, which will be followed by a run at 12 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 a.m., etc.

On Saturday night, there will be a themed run.

“I am going to dress up in a blue tutu to do that run with Aubree as my superhero,” Holtvogt said. “I encourage everyone to come dressed up in their best costume and we will raise some money.”

There is also a Facebook auction underway with items donated from area residents and businesses.

All the funds brought in will go towards Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Canada (DRIFCan) in Edmonton where Dr. James Shapiro and his team are very close to finding a cure for diabetes according to Holtvogt.

“The research that he has done and where he is going, he needs to raise $22 million,” Holtvogt said.

When asked if he will catch some sleep in between runs, Holtvogt said rest will be required but sleep may not happen.

“You’re not always going to get enough sleep in life, this is going to be one of those instances where I am not going to,” Holtvogt said.

The 12th and final run will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

–

angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser