Twelve hours, over 100 km run, and $47,000 raised for the Canadian Cancer Society.
In November 2025, three Queen’s University students (two from Smith Engineering and one from Smith School of Business) took on an Olympic level challenge and succeeded in ways beyond raising money for a worthy cause.
"I think people were excited to see us in pain," laughs Aidan Milne, a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student who organized the event with fellow Mechanical Engineering student Nic Roussel and Commerce student Noal Keuken. "I wasn't really expecting this large of a response, but everyone liked the initiative, and the idea that the further we ran, the more we'd earn for charity." Milne, Roussel, and Keuken ran 101 km each, taking short breaks every 10 kilometres to refuel and stretch before getting back on the track.
The idea of running a gruelling 12-hour ultramarathon at Tindall Field came from Aidan and his friends' prior involvement in the Cure Cancer Classic, a hockey game and fundraiser that centres on a long-standing and friendly rivalry between undergraduate students in the faculties of engineering and business. "Nic had been with the club for a few years, and Noal and I joined last year. In the summer, I became interested in running an ultramarathon, and I pitched the fundraising idea to Nic, and Noal joined us." For the group, it was a combination of personal commitment — Aidan's grandfather died of cancer a few years ago — and personal growth. "We've always liked mental and physical challenges."
Ultimately, the event raised an impressive $47,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. While Aidan, Nic, and Noal ran the laps, Aidan feels the success belongs to the entire community. "We had seven or eight people helping with meals and direct support," he says, "and there must have been 60-plus people cheering us on. I couldn't believe the number of people who came out and ran with us — one for about 30 kilometres. My dad surprised me by turning up and running a lap!"
The fundraiser also allowed the team to rekindle old connections: "Old coaches, teammates, people I haven't seen since high school, all connected with me and were thrilled to help out," he says. "It was really cool, getting back in touch with people."
Kelly Merrithew is the Manager, Supporter Engagement at the Canadian Cancer Society in Kingston. She was Aidan's contact for the event. "Nearly half of Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, a number that's rising with an aging population, and with younger people seeing diagnoses earlier in life," she says. "This showed a tremendous dedication of time, energy and athleticism, with these students engaging their own networks, and sharing what's important to them. It's giving back in a way where there's an impact right now but also benefits that extend into the future."
Aidan feels the kind of perseverance it takes to run an ultramarathon isn't wholly different from the tenacity required to be a successful engineering student. "I've been in exam seasons and feeling like I'm drowning, and definitely had those feelings during the run," he says. "In both cases, you just have to think of your goals, keep going, and get it done." All three student athletes hit the famed 'wall' at various points in the run — for Aidan, it was a 15-km stretch from kilometre 72 to 87 — but carried on despite blisters, sore muscles and even lost toenails. "We all kept it quiet to keep our morale up and only talked about it at the end of the run," Aidan says.
While Aidan and Nic are graduating from Smith Engineering this year, Commerce student Noal intends to keep the event alive next year. "Maybe Nic and I will pop back in to run a few laps and support him," Aidan says.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save lives, improve lives and drive collective action against cancer. Together with patients, volunteers, donors and communities across the country, they raise funds to invest in transformative cancer research, they provide a caring support system for everyone affected by cancer and they advocate to governments to create a healthier future for all. It takes a society to take on cancer – and the Canadian Cancer Society is leading the way. Help them make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.