An outpouring of local support in advance of 100 km fundraising run
From friends, family and other locals, Steve Mellios received a lot of support from the community for his 100 km run from the Long Sault Parkway entrance to the United Way office in Cornwall, raising approximately $3,000 as of Sat., Nov. 2. Mellios was fundraising for SDG United Way’s “All Kids Can Be” program. In his remarks to The Record, Mellios stressed that he wanted to set an example to people “that you can do anything that you set your mind to.” Glover photo

LONG SAULT – Steve Mellios wanted to challenge himself, and make a difference.

Starting at the east entrance of the Long Sault Parkway Sat., Nov. 2, he started running a full 100 km into the night, to Cornwall to raise money for SDG United Way’s “All Kids Can Be” program. Having never previously run a marathon, half marathon or even a race, this will most likely be the greatest challenge he’s ever faced.

“Basically, the message behind this run is to show kids and anybody, that you can do anything that you set your mind to,” he said. “I am not a runner but I took this upon myself with a 16-week training program; usually you need about a year to train for 100 km but what I’m going to try to do here today is to complete this and instil a message onto others that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Mellios always wanted to accomplish something that was going to make a difference but, as he got older, the bigger the dream got, the more excuses started piling up.

“I just got sick and tired of that,” he said. “So, I gave myself a goal and I want to prove to myself that no matter how big the goal was or it’s going to be, I did it because I see [through] the negativity and I had a strong mind and I did it.”

Before heading off on his grand journey, Mellios wanted to say a few words to his friends, family and supporters who all came out to see him off and cheer him on.

“When I gave myself the goal, I didn’t really think I could do it but I thought to myself, ‘If I could do something that I really didn’t think I could do, then I’d be able to spread a powerful message,’” he said. “Thanks so much to everyone that came out today, this is fantastic, and I hope to see everyone at the finish, because I will finish.”

As of Sat., Nov. 2, Mellios had raised approximately $3,000 for the United Way for their pillar, “All Kids Can Be.” This is a commitment by the organization to help put children on a successful path toward their full potential through investment in their development by giving them the opportunities they need.