Kamloops welcomes back Fast Eddy

Oct 3, 2016 | 11:57 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s the final leg of a journey which has taken him over 26 thousand kilometres. Edward Dostaler, also known as fast eddy was in Kamloops on Sunday, almost 600 days after his cross Canada journey began. According to Eddy, the journey has been as much about learning about himself for Fast Eddy, as the causes he’s running for.

Just before 3pm on Sunday, Fast Eddy blew into town at McDonald Park., a full 561 days after his last run through Kamloops

“This was a good morale boost,” Dostaler told CFJC Today. “Just to be in the area, and have people come out and support me in the town I’ve in for 16-ish years. The body obviously hurts a little bit, but that’s to be expected.”

About 30 people gathered at  the park to welcome Fast Eddy back to town. Since he last ran through, he’s says he’s covered over 26,000 km on his run across Canada and back.

For Dostaler, the hardest part has been trying to get communities interested in his Trans-Canada journey.

“The most challenging part is to get communities on board and with it,” Dostaler explained. “Today we had roughly 30 or 40 people out, and those 30 or 40 people they really… mean a lot.”

Dostaler gave those who did come out his time and full attention, even taking time to race some of the kids who came to support him.

For Shawn Hodgkiss, the young man who beat him got the shirt off Eddy’s back. A moment Hodgkiss won’t forget.Eddy

“I think he’s the awesomest person I’ve ever met,” Hodgkiss said, matter-of-factly.

Eddy has about a month left, before he’s officially finished. He’s still just taking the run one day at a time, and focusing on the task at hand, but he expects his emotions will be mixed once he reaches the pacific ocean at the end of October.

“I’ll be sad all my hard work and effort has been finished, but I’ll be happy with the fact that it’s inspired many, many individuals and helped thousands.”