YOU ARE INVITED ON A JOURNEY THAT CONNECTS BUTTERFLIES, ULTRA-RUNNING & FILM-MAKING WITH RESILIENCE, INSPIRATION & HOPE THAT SURROUNDS ALL OF US
ULTRA MARATHON FROM CANADA TO MEXICO 2019: In 2019, a team of ultra runners, film-makers and pollinator advocates followed the flight of the monarch butterfly by running the same distance of 4,300km (2,671 miles) from southern Ontario to central Mexico. The Monarch Ultra was the first attempt to run across North America (Canada, United States and Mexico) in order to raise awareness of monarch butterflies who make the migratory journey every year, and whose populations are in decline. The 47-day running adventure invited runners to traverse wild landscapes as well populated urban areas while building camaraderie, overcoming adversity, and sharing a singular adventure with monarch butterflies. Another exciting part of the project will be the production of a documentary about the relay run, the plight and flight of monarch butterflies, and conservation efforts taking place at the local level.
MONARCH ULTRA RELAY RUN 2021: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the team adjusted their route to remain safely in Ontario for the second relay run. In the fall of 2021, the team ran from Peterborough to Barrie, Ontario via Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, along Lake Erie, and looping back up to Barrie. Ultra-runners ran legs of 30km and 50km over 21 days. While unable to cross international borders and follow the monarch migration, our message of conservation and running for monarch butterflies remains the same. Raising awareness about monarch and pollinator conservation is a central focus of our mission and the team looks forward to inspiring and informing communities across southern Ontario! The Monarch Ultra is a celebration of two types of superheroes: monarch butterflies and ultra-runners. Both cover long distances using their incredible body strength to arrive at a new (unknown) destination. Most importantly, the Monarch Ultra is an opportunity to connect communities across North America with common goals of Earth stewardship & biodiversity conservation.
