Westmount man to tackle 48-hour run around Cabot Trail in support of Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation

Herbie Sakalauskas of Westmount will attempt to run the entire Cabot Trail in less than 48 hours while raising money for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation as part of the annual Radio Day fundraiser. SUPPLIEDArticle contentThe bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentIt’s how Herbie Sakalauskas is approaching the most ambitious event of his 19-year running career in support of a cause that all Cape Bretoners can connect with.Article contentArticle contentThe Westmount resident will push himself to the ultimate limit this week when he takes to the pavement to complete a 298-kilometre run around the Cabot Trail in support of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.Article contentSakalauskas began the journey on Tuesday at the famous Red Barn in Nyanza. He’ll be running counterclockwise around the Cabot Trail before finishing back at the Red Barn, all while raising money for the purchase of two portable X-ray machines at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.Article content“I don’t have an exact finish time set in stone,” said Sakalauskas. “My big goal is simply to finish in under two days, that means covering 298 kilometres in less than 48 hours, which is something I’ve never attempted before.”Article contentArticle content“I learned a lot about what I was capable of physically and mentally,” said Sakalauskas of the experience. “I knew I could handle the distance, but I also came away from it thinking how much further can I push myself?”Article contentArticle content Shown is the route of Herbie Sakalauskas’ run around the Cabot Trail in support of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. The Westmount product began his run on Tuesday afternoon at the Red Barn in Nyanza. SUPPLIEDArticle contentArticle contentNO OVERNIGHT STOPArticle contentUnlike last year, Sakalauskas won’t be stopping in the evening for overnight rest.Article content“I knew that I wouldn’t have much problem running the trail last year when it was broken up over four days, so this year I wanted to challenge myself a little more,” said Sakalauskas.Article content“Running the Cabot Trail in under two days is something I’ve never attempted before. I’m basically entering uncharted territory for myself. My farthest distance to date is about 170 kilometres, so going 298 kilometres continuously is going to be a completely different challenge.Article content“The biggest difference is that I won’t be able to simply stop at the end of the day, get a good night’s sleep and start again the next morning. I’ll have to keep moving through the night and deal with everything that comes with that.”Article contentSakalauskas is aware of the challenges he will face on the run.Article content“The biggest challenge will probably be staying awake and continuing to move at the pace I’ll need to maintain if I want to finish within two days,” said the 46-year-old.