Runner going the distance to raise money for Jumpstart

18-year-old Adam Saltarelli is running 550 miles over 21 days to help kids overcome financial barriers to play sports.

A Niagara Falls man is letting his feet do the talking.

Adam Saltarelli is raising money for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program by running 550 miles along the shores of Lake Ontario.

The 18-year-old stopped in several communities along the route and was at the Canadian Tire store on Bath Rd in Kingston on Thursday to meet the staff.

Saltarelli started at the Queenston-Lewiston bridge on August 8 and is expected to end his 21-day race at the Thousand Islands bridge this weekend.

Nearing the final stretch, he says his body is still holding up and is feeling great.

Saltarelli has always been athletic having played in a number of sports.

He says that in part was his motivation for running for the Jumpstart program.

Saltarelli has already raised $2,500 for Jumpstart after competing in a 100-mile ultramarathon.

He says everyone he has met along the way have cheered him on.

Once Saltarelli completes his latest journey, he will be preparing to go to Brock University in September taking business.

There has been no running total of the amount that has been raised. But Garry McColman (AKA Big G of New Country 98.9) says Kid4Kids will be pledging $1,000 towards Adam's marathon.

Story by Ken Hashizume with files from Matt Latour