Cathy Gallagher has done something most people can only dream of: she ran the entire 890-kilometre Bruce Trail in just 17 days. Starting in Tobermory on Sept. 1, the Collingwood mom crossed forests, rocky ridges, waterfalls and steep escarpments to reach Queenston Heights Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake on September 17. Along the way, Gallagher was raising awareness and funds for Food Allergy Canada, a cause very close to her heart.
Canada’s longest footpath
The Bruce Trail stretches 890 kilometres along the Niagara Escarpment, making it Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. Most people hike sections of it over months or years, but Gallagher set out to run the entire route in just over two weeks. The effort meant long days, constant elevation changes and unpredictable September weather. Gallagher described the run in one of her Instagram posts as “not just a run—it’s an ultra-endurance adventure that tests every limit.” Her daily effort stacked up to more than 50 kilometres on some days.
Running for her son
Gallagher’s drive to run the trail came from a deeply personal place. Her teenage son, Jerrick, lives with a severe anaphylactic dairy allergy. His condition has shaped much of her family’s daily life, from food preparation to emergencies involving EpiPens and hospital visits.
“At a very young age, we discovered that our son, Jerrick, had an allergy to tree nuts when we thought he was choking on his cereal,” she wrote on Instagram. “After outgrowing his pistachio and cashew allergy, we entered a new, traumatic phase of his medical journey: a severe anaphylactic allergy to all dairy.”
Gallagher explains that navigating a dairy allergy is especially challenging due to the prevalence of hidden dairy ingredients in packaged and restaurant foods. One accidental exposure during a golf game forced Jerrick to use his EpiPen after a dangerous reaction. Gallagher says her hope in taking on the Bruce Trail was to raise awareness for better treatments, safer food options and stronger support systems for people with life-threatening allergies.
Awareness through action
Running the Bruce Trail gave Gallagher a platform to talk about an issue that affects thousands of Canadian families. She tied the journey to a fundraising effort for Food Allergy Canada, a national non-profit that supports education, research and advocacy. By the end of her run, she had raised close to her $22,500 goal.
“This run is about more than just my family,” she wrote. “It’s to raise awareness for all individuals suffering from anaphylactic allergies. I want to ensure industries like pharmaceuticals, restaurants, and stores become more aware and understanding of the struggles that people with severe allergies face.”
How to support
Gallagher’s campaign remains open, with donations going to Food Allergy Canada. She continues to share updates on Instagram at @running.the.bruce, where supporters can follow her story, share awareness and contribute.
To donate directly, click here.
