NEWS PHOTO SEAN ROONEY - Gas City CrossFit co-owner Kaine Dick climbs a rope as part of a workout during a 24-hour marathon Friday as part of a charity event for the Medicine Hat Santa Claus Fund.
Neither Kaine Dick nor Nathan Dennison can imagine not being able to give their kids presents at Christmas.
They’re doing what they can to make sure nobody else in the community has to live that reality.
Inspired by a fellow CrossFit member, the two men were already breaking a sweat Friday, just a few hours in to a planned 24-hour marathon at Gas City CrossFit which Dick runs with his wife Britteny.
“I’ve done lots of workouts in my time, and multiple ones, but not 24 hours to do as many as I can,” said Dick, in between sets of rope climbing, bench presses and riding an exercise bike. “I’m a little tired, but it’s all good.”
The duo have taken up the mantle of Charlie Bruce, who took part in marathons each of the past two years. Dick joined him last year and the CrossFit group raised enough money and toys to provide for 60 families through the Santa Claus Fund.
But the need hasn’t abated.
“I couldn’t imagine if my kids didn’t have a present on Christmas,” said Dennison. “If I can do something and get a few presents from people that I know to do that, then I’m more than happy to beat myself up for 24 hours.”
Dennison explained that they weren’t going to actually work out constantly for a full day. That would be flat-out dangerous. Instead, fellow CrossFit friends came up with workouts to do, 27 of them put into a black bucket to be drawn and completed randomly throughout the day.
Better hope not to draw a tough one at 7 a.m.
“My body’s probably going to shut down. It’s a good cause,” he said, noting he’d done all he could nutrition-wise to prepare.
Dick, meanwhile, started doing two or three workouts every day for months to get ready. But both realize it’s the mental drain that could be the toughest thing to overcome.
Motivation will be easy to find.
As they pushed themselves mid-afternoon Friday, a giant display of toys sat nearby, with the hope that more people will drop by before 11 a.m. Saturday to help it grow. Some businesses and individuals have also donated cash to the effort, which will be used to buy even more gifts for families in need.
“I have kids, right. I liked presents when I was a kid, I’m sure every other kid that doesn’t get presents would like a present as well,” said Dick. “There’s only so many presents for so many kids, right?”
Gas City CrossFit is located beside Hell’s Basement Brewery in the light industrial area. If you’d like to contribute to the Santa Claus Fund directly, visit mhsantafund.com.
