Run The Dream stops in Swift Current

For Jonathan Howard, running across Canada is not a big deal if he can help raise awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
"The run is all about a dream that I have. As a kid I have always wanted to run across Canada and my dream, I thought, could make a major impact on children on an issue that is related to a lot of families in this country," explained Howard.
Even though he will be running across Canada, Howard is not directly affected with Autism nor does anyone in his family suffer from it.
"I had worked teaching swimming lessons and through those experiences you have the odd child who is Autistic and you deal with them one on one. I didn't really get any training or anything but you just work with them and you are there to support them, but other than that I really didn't have any experience with Autism.
Running over 8,000 kilometers, Howard started in St. John's Newfoundland on March 25. Hitting Swift?Current with over 6,500 kilometers behind him, Howard will be finishing in Victoria B.C.
While he is running to help raise awareness for Autism, Howard is also trying to raise money.
"Our goal is to raise $2.5 million and right now we are below that target but we know that once the run is done we will continue fundraising to get that $2.5 million. The reason I picked $2.5 million is that it worked out to less than .10 cents per Canadian. So I thought that was a reasonable goal to focus on."
Originally from Ontario Howard was nervous for his trek to Saskatchewan, as he didn't know what to expect.
"First time in Saskatchewan. People told me 'Oh you have got to watch out for that Saskatchewan weather, that prairie weather' and so far in this province I have experienced a blizzard, the winds, but I have also experienced the great hospitality of a lot of people along the way."
Howard added Saskatchewan residents have stopped numerous times to stop and give him a lift.
"Along the way there have been people in this province who have stopped us because we are running this province so fast, we are doing 50 kilometers a day. For me I just go out there and it is just an amazing experience. The people have been fantastic - as for the road bumps along the way, they have just been keeping me more focused."