Winnipegger's passion for running, supporting other athletes at heart of new documentary

Running For Your Life

Airs Saturday, Aug. 26 at 8p.m. on CBC Manitoba.

Stream free on CBC Gem now.

In 15 years and counting, Winnipegger Junel Malapadhas run the equivalent of the circumference of the world.

Along the way, the53-year-oldhas raised money for at least 25 charities, ledtwo run clubsand supported other runners when they neededhelp or encouragement.

One of those runners isLibby Lea, wholives with chronic leukemia.

The 43-year-old mother of two has been running buddies with Malapad for a decade, and was inspired by thesupport he showed for her and other runners.

The result? Running For Your Life,a new 45-minute documentary directed by Lea about Malapad.

"Junel says it in the trailer you feel everything when you run," said Lea.

"I wanted someone to watch this who isn't a runner and feel what it's like. Feeling your breath get rapid and your heart beating, it's a beautiful thing."

The documentary tracks Malapad's commitment to runningwhile trying to balancefamily life. In the film,Malapad, who has been running for 15 years, reveals how the premature death of his mother inspired him to lace up his sneakers in the first place.

It also depicts hiscommitment to his fellow runnerssomething Lea has seen firsthand.

At age 38,she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML, after a routine blood test. She had to stop running for three years to begin treatment.

When she was ready to start running again, Malapad was there.

"Junel checked in via Instagram and came out with me on a few occasions to get the kilometres in," Lea said.

She began a 100-day running streak in February 2022, accomplishing a minimum of three kilometresa day. For many of those days, Malapad ran alongside her.

"He often says, 'we can do hard things,'" Lea said. "That was my mantra the whole challenge."

Doing hard things, and inspiring others to do the same, is also what keeps Malapad going.

The waythe running community supports each other is "like a ripple effect," Malapad said with tears in his eyes.

The documentary is filled with interviews with those who have felt Malapad's goodwill.

Natalie Pirson, who is part of Winnipeg Run Club and uses a wheelchair, says it's because of Malapad that she's felt so welcomed by a community that would otherwise feel inaccessible. She completed a 53-kilometrejourneyaround Winnipeg in her wheelchair, with Malapad by her side for 50 kilometres.

"He's definitely added to my life," Pirson said. "And the fact that I see him being open to a community[means] I'm more able to reach out to other people."

The impact of Malapad's efforts on the community, and the power of running itself, are two things that Lea hopes are communicated in the film, which is her directorial debut.

She hopes that viewers will get a sense of the impact Malapad has had on his community.

"He's inclusive," Lea said. "Here I am with leukemiaand he's being inclusive with me. He's changed lives."

Running for your Lifepremieres at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, onCBCManitoba as part of theAbsolutely Canadiandocumentary series.

Stream free on CBC Gem now.