Ultramarathon cyclist goes the distance for children’s charity

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This article was published 29/08/2020 (2239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ultramarathon cyclist and philanthropist Arvid Loewen has broken his second Guinness World Record, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Kenyan orphans in the process.

The North Kildonan resident and grandfather of 11 succeeded last month in smashing the world record for the farthest distance cycled in 30 days.

Mark Beaumont of the United Kingdom set the previous record in 2017, when he cycled 11,315 km. Loewen broke the record on Day 29, and cycled an additional 301 km by the end of the 30-day time period.

Loewen achieved the record by cycling the same 27-km loop from Winnipeg to Lockport. The new record, which still requires confirmation from Guinness World Records before it’s deemed official, is 11,616 km.

Loewen already holds the Guinness record for the fastest bicycle crossing of Canada (6,040 km), a feat he accomplished in 13 days, six hours, 13 minutes in 2011.

As with all of the 63-year-old’s cycling endeavours, last month’s journey was a platform for his efforts to raise funds for Mully Children’s Family (MCF), a street mission in Nairobi, Kenya, that helps thousands of destitute children each year.

Over the past 15 years, Loewen has raised more than $7 million for the organization.

“I always go into these events with the belief that I have at least a 51 per cent chance of achieving my cycling goal,” Loewen says. “At the same time, I always know I have a 100 per cent chance of making a huge difference.”

Philanthropic pursuits

By now, many people are familiar with Loewen’s story. After a decade of competing in ultramarathon cycling events, he felt compelled in 2005 to add a philanthropic component to his pursuits. The poverty he witnessed as a child growing up in Paraguay inspired him to do something for children.

After hearing about MCF in church one Sunday, he contacted the organization to see if he could raise funds for it.

Charles Mulli, the man who founded the mission, agreed.

That summer, Loewen transported three teenagers from MCF across Canada in 30 days. The teenagers took turns sitting on the back of a modified tandem bicycle.

Loewen and his wife, Ruth, visited MCF later that year. They were so moved by the trip in 2006 — at age 49 — Loewen took a step of faith and resigned from a successful career in senior management with Palliser Furniture to volunteer full time to create awareness and raise funds for MCF.

He quotes the 18th century British politician and slave trade abolitionist William Wilberforce to explain the choice he and his wife faced: “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”

“On our trip home from MCF that year, Ruth and I decided not to look away from it,” Loewen says.

Steadfast support

That commitment to MCF is one of Loewen’s outstanding qualities, says Frank DeFehr, who has known Loewen for four decades.

Formerly Loewen’s employer at Palliser, DeFehr and his wife, Agnes, have become friends with the Loewens and have been steadfast supporters of their cause from the beginning.

“He’s an unusual person with the ability to visualize what should be done and to carry it out,” DeFehr says.

“Arvid took a big risk in leaving a top-level manufacturing position. The welfare of those kids is more important to him than the future of his personal security.”

That commitment has inspired David Balzer and his wife, Kathryn, to support Loewen and MCF. The Balzers have known the Loewens for 25 years. For the past 15, they have been part of the same Bible study group at church.

“I’ve experienced him and Ruth and their family, and how they go about what they give to the cause,” Balzer says. “It has a level of integrity and authenticity and compassion that is the kind of thing that I want to be close to.”

Balzer marvels at the mental ability Loewen has developed in order to complete his ultramarathon cycling feats.

“The steel-mindedness of determination and vision that he has expressed over the years is really unbelievably remarkable,” Balzer says. “The older he gets, the stronger he gets — not necessarily physically, but mentally. That’s been very inspiring to see.”

Keeping focus

Loewen, who was recognized with the Order of Manitoba last year — the province’s highest honour — credits his cause with keeping him focused.

Today, MCF is facing an especially challenging situation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kenyan government has temporarily closed all public schools, including those run by MCF. The organization cannot offer overnight accommodation during this time, meaning the more than 2,500 children it cares for have been displaced.

While some are staying with relatives, others find themselves back on the street.

MCF is providing emergency rations to the caregivers of the 2,500 temporarily displaced students.

Loewen has raised about $400,000 so far this year, and his fundraising efforts are ongoing.

Anyone interested in contributing can visit Loewen’s website (grandpascan.com) for details.

Whether or not they choose to give to MCF, Loewen encourages people to help others.

“If there is a need next to you, consider doing something about it,” he says. “You, too, can make a difference.”