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Couple Runs Montreal Marathon for ALS Research
8 Oct
Summary
- Couple trains for months, husband pushes wife with ALS in special wheelchair.
- They have run 622 kilometers since June, focusing on training together.
- Their quest raises funds for ALS Quebec to understand causes and find treatments.
High school sweethearts Spencer Levine and Amanda Tam are set to participate in the Montreal marathon this weekend, a testament to their enduring love and resilience. Tam, diagnosed with ALS five years ago at just 25 years old, will be pushed by her husband in a specially designed wheelchair.
Since June, the couple has logged an impressive 622 kilometers, often covering up to 122 kilometers weekly, with Levine emphasizing that 80% of his marathon training has been completed with Tam. Tam expressed her excitement about being part of the race rather than a spectator, looking forward to a new perspective.
The marathon is also a vital fundraiser for ALS Quebec. Executive director Claudine Cook highlighted the critical need for funding to understand the causes of ALS and develop effective treatments for the fatal and incurable disease. Tam, a McGill University graduate, acknowledged her reduced independence due to the condition.
Levine, a seasoned runner, is preparing for his 10th marathon but considers this one the most meaningful. While he typically finishes marathons in under three hours, he anticipates a four-hour pace for the 42.2-kilometer race on Sunday, sharing the experience conversationally with Amanda. They are also celebrating Tam having lived beyond the typical two-to-five-year prognosis for ALS patients.
