They run to end abortion, which is ‘the crown jewel of Satan,’ says LIFE Runners founder Pat Castle

The B.C. Catholic



The largest pro-life running/walking team has members all over the world, but is hoping more Canadians will join their ranks.

With the motivation of ending abortion, Pat Castle and other LIFE Runners don blue jerseys during every run with the words “remember the unborn” on the back.

The team takes part in races and marathons to bring attention to the pro-life cause to try to end abortion, which Castle calls “the crown jewel of Satan.”

LIFE Runners has “over 4,500 teammates, ages 1 to 101, in all 50 U.S. states and 28 countries,” said Castle, its founder. Castle was inspired to form the team after he felt the influence of St. Padre Pio during the 2006 Pikes Peak Ascent race, a racing event in Manitou Springs, Colo. Castle ascended more than 2383 metres in less than three hours.

Castle and his running partner Rich Reich formed the National LIFE Runners Team in 2008. “I gladly provide the zeal for the mission and evangelistic leadership for growing our apostolate with the Holy Spirit,” said Castle. “As our creed states, ‘We run as a prayer, to defend children in the womb, so that they may be born and united with our Christian community.'”

“To start a local chapter, you just need five LIFE Runners who are willing to meet publicly at least monthly in their gear,” Castle said. “God commanded us to go into the world and grow disciples in all nations.”

Dale Toni is one of those disciples. A member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Moose Jaw, Sask., he first saw an article for LIFE Runners in Columbia Magazine. “I saw it as an opportunity to put more purpose into my running as well as support the LIFE Runners group,” said Toni. “It made me get off the fence from a quiet pro-lifer to become a vocal and visible pro-life supporter.”

He noted he had trouble signing up with the LIFE Runners initially because “their system wasn’t, and still may not be, set up for Canadians.” Toni had to send an email directly to the group to join.

“I am just registered as no chapter in another country until they figure this out. If more people from Canada joined, it might spur (LIFE Runners) to make changes to recognize us.”

Toni wears his blue uniform two or three times a week during his training runs, and has attended six marathons as a LIFE Runner. “It buoys me up to get waves and cheers during a race,” he said. “I have only had one negative response when a runner told me he had to catch up to me to tell me how ‘terribly offensive’ he found my shirt.”

Despite that encounter, Toni continues to run undeterred. “I get excited thinking about the experience with the group and the reason we run and wear our shirts,” he admitted. “They have been a blessing in my life.”