Mustachioed madness: Edmonton man running 24 hours straight for Movember

To fundraise for Movember, the men's health campaign which has sprouted awareness worldwide, most grow mustaches.

But Tyeren Deacon's hair-drenching feat will put those fuzzy upper lips to shame.

The University of Alberta student plans to run 24 hours straight to fundraise for men's mental health.

Although Deacon has experience as an ultra marathon runner, this will be his longest race by far.

"I've personally done up to 14 hours of running so this is the next logical, illogical step I guess," said Deacon.

"I'm sort of just jumping into it."

Deacon will complete his grueling mission on a treadmill at the HUB Fitness Centre. He will power up the treadmill at 6 a.m. Saturday.

By the time his frantic work-out is finished, he expects to surpass the 200 km mark. With the exception of a few washroom breaks, he will never leave the treadmill.

His "pit-crew" — a roster of dedicated friends, willing to work for free at all hours — will be responsible for plying him with food, water and motivation.

"I'm actually just looking at a white wall. I have some podcasts lined up and some music playlists but that's about it," Deacon said in an interview with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

"I think a lot of it is just enduring through the pain and making this cause really worth it."

'I was hooked'

Deacon, who was an avid cross-country competitor in high school, was introduced to ultra marathons shortly after graduation. His latest race was a gruelling 90 km relay through the rugged mountain ranges of Kananaskis Country.

"One of my good friends, he got me into trail running just out of high school and I started doing 20 km and 30 km and I just kept bumping it up, and soon he said, 'You're on your own.'

"And after that, I was hooked. Just the feeling throughout the entire race and pushing yourself to the limits, really hooked me."

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Deacon says he was inspired to pull on his running shoes for Movember after working as a resident assistant on campus, and realizing so many students were struggling.

"People bring their issues to you," said Deacon of his time as an RA.

"And being exposed to that was truly a wake-up call for how people on campus are truly affected by depression and suicidal thoughts.

'Men's health does matter'

"Being in university, men's mental health is a big thing for me."

Deacon hopes to raise $3,000 for the campaign and remains confident he'll reach his goal by the time the clock runs out on Saturday morning. His Movember team has raised more than $5,000 already.

"I've been getting a lot of support," said Deacon.

"I didn't expect it to get this big, but men's health does matter and I'm very happy to raise awareness and funds for this great cause."

For the record, when the treadmill starts whirling, Deacon will be sporting the beginnings of a moustache.

"It's not beautiful, but it's coming along."