Diane Wing, a Grade 1 teacher in Portage la Prairie, is preparing for an ambitious run across Manitoba this July to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.
Turning 50 on July 27, Wing says, “I see this as a privilege some don’t get. In recognition of this milestone, I am going to attempt to run across Manitoba (50kms a day for 10 days).” She adds, “I love the idea of ‘improve yourself so you can improve the world’ so that is my goal here.”
A personal journey with running and loss
Wing notes that her running journey started after the loss of her husband to suicide in 2012.
“As many of you may know, my husband lost his life to suicide in 2012, this is where my running journey started as my first race in 2014 was in memory of him,” she says.
She continues, “Although I grew up with a mom who suffered from depression, I really never understood it and often just viewed her as lazy and disengaged... It was not until losing Kelly, that I started to understand and have more compassion for her.”
Raising awareness and seeking support
Wing highlights ongoing challenges in mental health care.
“Although there is a lot more awareness today, I feel like there is still a long way to go with education and resources for those who suffer from mental illness... People are not getting the help they need for their loved ones and don’t know how to help.”
She mentions that men especially are still afraid to seek help from others because of the stigma attached to this illness.
Wing has been training since December and acknowledges the difficulty ahead.
“I do realize this will be testing my limits and I may fail but I will give it everything I have,” she adds.
How to support
Wing is fundraising for the Canadian Mental Health Association and encourages donations to be directed through their website, selecting the Diane Wing running across Manitoba 50th birthday option.
Her run begins July 9 at the Manitoba border and finishes July 18 at the Ontario border, covering roughly 500 kilometres over 10 days.
Diane Wing’s run stands as a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community in addressing mental health challenges.
Run Itinerary
July 9–18, 2025 (50 km per day • 500 km total )
- Start: Welcome to Manitoba sign (Day 0)
- Day 1 – July 9 (Wed): Finish in Virden (km 45)
- Day 2 – July 10 (Thurs): Reach Alexander (km 96)
- Day 3 – July 11 (Fri): Through Brandon (km 126), ending near Douglas/Carberry (km 141–168)
- Day 4 – July 12 (Sat): Finish in Austin (km 198)
- Day 5 – July 13 (Sun): Arrive in Portage la Prairie (km 247)
- Day 6 – July 14 (Mon): Reach Elie/St. Francois Xavier (km 286–308)
- Day 7 – July 15 (Tues): Through The Forks (Winnipeg, km 332), ending near Deacon’s Corner (km 359)
- Day 8 – July 16 (Wed): Finish in Richer (km 400)
- Day 9 – July 17 (Thurs): Reach Prawda (km 448)
- Day 10 – July 18 (Fri): Finish at Welcome to Ontario sign (km 500)
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