Okotoks ultra-marathoner Dave Proctor has broken a Canadian record.

On July 21, he finished his Trans Canada run, breaking the speed record.

He completed the run in 67 days, smashing the 72-day record set by Al Howie in 1991.

The journey took him from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, B.C.

Proctor shared an update on his Facebook page after completing the run.

"I'm feeling tired but I'm also feeling the greatest feeling I've ever felt in my life. I feel like I've accomplished something that was truly out of the stratosphere. I feel accomplished, I feel like I set a big hairy audacious goal and I just completed it. I feel like if I were to never set another goal and just hang my hat on this one, I'm happy.

"I also feel extraordinarily tired. The moment I stop and feel all the feelings, yeah, my feet feel like hamburger, my knees... I think I still have knees left. Everything feels tired and sore and worn, but that's part and parcel of the Trans Canadian run, it's the second biggest country in the world, it's meant to chew you up and spit you up. I'm feeling apr for the course."

He's had his eye on the record for some time, attempting to break it in 2018, but having to end the run after an injury. He then planned another attempt in 2020 that fell through because of the pandemic.

Proctor has a few people he looks to for inspiration.

"I was raised with the stories of the strength, determination, and fortitude of Terry Fox, and what that ultimately means. I've always looked upon him as a North Star, something I want to be as a person. Doing a cross-Canada run where I was running on the exact same road, when I was struggling I'd look up ahead and see this figment of this imaginary Terry Fox limping along in 1980, the year I was born. I thought 'I've got two legs, I don't have cancer, what do I have to complain about?'"

Another is Pete Kostelnick, who holds the Trans American record.

"He's a living legend, he ran from New York City to San Francisco in 42 days. When I got on the ferry to get to Vancouver Island to finish up the final 34 kilometres, he sent me a video. He was in tears and he said that what I was doing was truly amazing. To see your hero idolizing you, that's a very strange feeling. That really spurred me on to pick up the pace and get this thing done."

As for what's next, Proctor is looking forward to sitting still for a little while.

"I'm happy to be done. I think it's gonna be Miller time soon, I can't wait to sit down at a pub and have a pint, kick back, and not have to go for a run tomorrow."

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