Curtis Hargrove

Personal life

Hargrove, born in Germany, moved to Cold Lake, Alberta with his family when he was less than a year old. He was 24 years old at the time of his cross-Canada run. He has been involved in marathon running for several years, winning the 2004 Centennial Marathon in Edmonton, Alberta. The course was 42 kilometers which he completed in three hours, fifty-seven minutes, and forty-two seconds.

2012 cross-Canada run

The "Curtis Hargrove's Run Across Canada for Cancer" began May 4, 2012 on the east coast of Newfoundland at St. John's, with Hargrove expecting to arrive in Victoria, British Columbia sometime between October 24 and November 4, 2012. He was able to cover approximately 50 kilometres each day. Hargrove was attempting to raise a million dollars for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation for cancer research. The foundation was part of the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton. As of July 4, 2012, he has raised approximately $14,000.

Stories Within the Story of the Run

Arrest Makes National News Hargrove was arrested by the Surete du Quebec for "willfully obstructing an officer" near Saint-Nicolas, Quebec for running on the Trans-Canada Highway. His accompanying recreational vehicle driver, Morgan Seward, was fined 52 dollars. The charge of obstruction of justice resulted from Hargrove's refusal to get off the highway. After his arrest, a number of teenagers vandalized the recreational vehicle and stole a Canadian flag. The incident did not appear to be related to the arrest.

Morgan Seward added the following update to Hargrove's "RunCurtisRun" Facebook page:

Hargrove was scheduled to appear in court on September 21, and hoped to have that date delayed until his run was completed. At the homecoming in Cold Lake on that same date, it was announced that the charges had been dropped. He then used Quebec Route 132, which runs parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway. When he entered Ontario he continued to run on the Trans-Canada.

The Beard

Hargrove started growing a beard when he began his run in Newfoundland because the kids at the Stollery suggested he should grow a beard like the Tom Hanks character, Forrest Gump. His full beard and overgrown mop of hair became an identifying characteristic. Some children donned a large fake beard for Curtis Hargrove costumes for Halloween. His enthusiasm for the beard was not shared by all of his followers, who often sent messages telling him to shave it. He always reminded them why he was growing it: for the kids.

Theme Days

Hargrove has dressed in costume on particular days per the request of the children he is running for. He has run in a sumo suit, a Winnie the Poo costume, and a tutu. In the Fall, he ran as Austin Powers, Master Chief (of the HALO Xbox game), and as a cow.

Illness

Hargrove has been hospitalized twice as a result of the physical toll of running daily marathons for his Run Across Canada. First after passing Brandon, Manitoba, in September. Then again after reaching Red Deer, Alberta, in November.

Scotiabank Gamechangers

Hargrove was one of 8 champions of regional charities across Canada to be selected, after a process of online voting and deliberation by a panel of judges, to be presented on the field at the 2012 Grey Cup. The $100,000 National Gamechanger prize went to Angel Magnussen for Variety The Children's Charity of BC. Angel was the Gamechanger for the BC Lions.

Honours

On August 5, 2012, he was presented with a City of Thunder Bay medal by Councillor Mark Bentz.

On January 16, 2013, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at a ceremony in Lac La Biche, Alberta.

November 27, 2012: The Run Across Canada is put on hold

While recovering from his second bout of illness (vomiting blood), and after having broken off to attend the 100th Grey Cup as one of the Scotiabank Game Changers, Hargrove announced he would be putting the run on hold until the Spring of 2013. He was not stopping the run, but could not continue due to the drastic winter weather conditions. His RV was not adaptable to the extreme cold. He said in his announcement to his Facebook followers that his decision was not due to his health problems, but the number of accidents he was seeing on the road. He also reminded them that more fundraising and events would be coming up over this winter break, to help reach the goal of raising 1 million dollars for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.

July, 2013: Finishing the Run Across Canada

Hargrove plans to finish the run from where he left off, after running in the "Color Me Rad" 5K being held July 6 through 7th. Morgan Seward is expected to rejoin him as his support team driver.

August 9, 2013

Curtis Hargrove finished his run across Canada at Mile 0, in Victoria, British Columbia.

Multi-media

Facebook Video Blogs

Hargrove has maintained a connection with his supporters through regular text updates and video uploads https://www.facebook.com/RunCurtisRun?fref=ts These are normally recorded just as he ends his running for the day. He may often be shown running up to the camera, tired out and talking about how the run went. His usual videographer has been Morgan Seward, his driver.

The "Run With It" comic strips

Hargrove has been featured in a series of comic strips created by one of the followers of his story.

2007 run

In 2007, when he was 18 years old, Hargrove raised $50,000 when he ran across British Columbia and Alberta for the Terry Fox Foundation.