Ontario mine rescue officer to run in full gear in Sudbury marathon

As this weekend's Sudbury Rocks marathon approaches, a local mine rescue worker is raising money by promising to run the race in full gear.

Scott Gillet says Ontario Mine Rescue Officers have been a part of the Sudbury Rocks marathon event for many years, but he felt it was time to do more.

Inspired by Sudbury police Const. Michael Rouleau -- who ran the marathon in full police uniform last year -- Gillet will be running this year wearing mine rescue gear.

“The unit that we’re going to be running in is called the Dräger ProAir. So that is a breathing apparatus that we use for emergency response underground,” he said.

“That’s just to protect us from any kind of atmospheric hazards. So that is rated for roughly around four hours, depending on who’s wearing that unit. And it weighs roughly around 33 to 35 pounds.”

Gillett has already raised more than $5,000 for HSN Foundation’s Northern Cancer Fund. Hospital officials said the funding is critical.

In 2024 alone the event raised $100,000. HSN spokesperson Jason Turnbull said the Shirley and Jim Fielding Cancer Centre cares for about 110,000 people a year from across northeastern Ontario.

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“Philanthropy and raising money from that race and from the many things that happened throughout the year for the foundation are extremely important,” Turnbull said.

“It helps provide exceptional care, buys important equipment and even helps support research so that we can help provide patients and families with the most cutting-edge procedures.”

Sudbury Rocks is also celebrating a banner year. Organizing committee member Shelley Walushka said it was founded 20 years ago by Vince Perdue and the late Steve Matusch, “who had just had a vision to create a road race here in Sudbury and it’s really grown exponentially ever since.”

“In our 20th year, we will have our highest registration ever with nearly 2,000 participants participating in the marathon, half marathon 10K, 5K and the 1K kids race,” Walushka said.

She said the event wouldn’t be possible without the support of more than 300 volunteers. For details, click here.