This Montreal paramedic will run 911 kilometres for Sept. 11 anniversary

A Montreal paramedic is training to run 911 kilometres to raise money to support first responders’ mental health for the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11.

Louis Marois has been running the woods of Oka Park for decades. He’s a paramedic on the North Shore of the Montreal area nearby, and he travels the world running trails as an ultramarathoner.

“I like running; it’s inside me. It’s my DNA,” he told CTV News.

As a paramedic, Marois says he knows the benefits of exercise for job-related stress, citing his own profession.

In 2018, Marois had to step back from the line of duty and turned to La Vigile, a non-profit resource centre for Quebec first responders.

Genevieve Arguin is the director, and she says the centre helps first responders learn how to deal with burnout, depression, or post-traumatic stress.

Marois says La Vigile helped him get back to work - and back on his feet. For his run, he is collecting donations for La Vigile so younger paramedics can also access care. He says his target is $25,000

Marois is inviting other runners to join him for as many kilometres as they want as he aims to complete 911 kilometres.