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Cyclist gears up for 'Double Everest' to tackle depression demons; awards piling up for legendary Lenore

Published on: August 15, 2017 | Last Updated: August 15, 2017 8:15 AM PDT
Vancouver cyclist Corey Itterman plans to do a “Double Everest” on Saturday morning — a gruelling, grinding climb of some 17,696 metres. He's aiming to raise funds and awareness for mental illness, a deadly disease he's battled for almost half his life. KATRINNA ROTH
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Vancouver cyclist Corey Itterman plans to do a “Double Everest” on Saturday morning, a gruelling, grinding climb of some 17,696 metres.
For this 40-year-old man on a mission — he’s aiming to raise money and awareness for mental illness — the uphill challenge is actually the easy part. Staying alive, and upbeat, has been anything but for him over the years.
For nearly half his life, Itterman has been battling some debilitating form of depression. He’s not the only one in his family, or circle of friends. Such is the nature of the deadly disease that plays no favourites in who gets to suffer with it.
“It’s really hard to talk about it, it’s still hard to talk about it, but we need to speak up,” said Itterman on Monday. “People don’t want to commit suicide, they just don’t know how to get help, who to speak to, or exactly where to go.
“That’s why I’m doing this fundraiser. We have to let people who suffer from depression know there’s help. We need to let people know they are not alone.
“I’ve shared my stories and battles with friends, family and strangers. I’ve been able to overcome it with help and support. Suicide is not the answer to this disease. It’s never the answer.”
Tell me about it.
Corey Itterman and girlfriend Katrinna Roth: “People don’t want to commit suicide, they just don’t know how to get help.”
Itterman said cycling has basically saved his life.
“It’s my escape, or drug of choice if you will. In February of 2015, while cycling to meet some friends to do a few laps of Stanley Park, I was involved in a MVA and the accident kind of re-triggered my depression. I had planned to do the Double Everest in 2016 but wasn’t physically or mentally ready.
“Now, with the help of friends and my lovely lady (Katrinna Roth) it’s all coming together. On Saturday we all plan to make a difference.”
Roth, who is both proud and excited of Itterman’s important project, said Monday that a GoFundMe campaign has already passed the $3,900 mark.
“That’s bigger than we thought it would get at this point! We’ve been fortunate to attract sponsors Four Winds Brewing and Rip Stix,” said Roth, who plans to update their social medial platforms during the ride and after.
“Depression is never easy. I’ve seen all sorts of ways depression can destroy good people,” added Roth. “I’m so thankful Corey is as strong as he is. Sometimes he’s the one keeping a smile on my face, even when he feels like his whole world is collapsing.”
Andrew Couzens, who participated in the Wildfire Aid 5K Walk/Run last month in Chilliwack, couldn’t say enough good things about Itterman’s project.
“We are all affected by mental illness. It’s all around us. It’s a nasty illness. Please let’s do something positive about it and help Corey spread the message. I’ll be cheering for him.”
For more information about the ride, or to make a donation, click HERE.
Katrinna Roth, doing the selfie thing with boyfriend Corey Itterman, says: “I’ve seen all sorts of ways depression can destroy good people. … Sometimes Corey is the one keeping a smile on my face even when he feels like his whole world is collapsing.”
It’s difficult not to mention depression, suicide and bicycles in the same breath without thinking of the late comedian Robin Williams who, when learning that late-night TV host Conan O’Brien was going through a nasty bump in his career, out of the blue bought him an outrageously funny bike to cheer him up.
It was bright orange and bright green, and had shamrocks on it, and as O’Brien put it, “I went from an incredibly low place to a very happy place when I received that gift. I often look at that bike and think ‘what a wonderful spirit, what an amazing spirit Robin had. … I think it’s very courageous to be that generous in that face of that kind of depression.”
Good luck to Corey and his team on Saturday as they do their part to confront depression — a.k.a. society’s silent killer. Godspeed!
Lenore Montgomery of North Vancouver lined up for the inaugural West Van Run Summer 5K in June, and continues to impress, inspire and set records. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
RECORDS PILING UP FOR LEGENDARY LENORE
The first time yours truly lined up in a road race beside senior legend Lenore Montgomery, I was amazed how far and fast she could run, especially uphill.
The North Vancouver woman was slightly crouched over, very systematic and serious — she was also in her late 80s.
Now, besides setting world or national records in almost every event she enters, the 90-year-old phenom serves as an inspiration to those much younger to get off the freakin’ couch and go for a run, or walk, or hike!

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She set a world record in last year’s Forever Young 8K in Richmond, and last month she set the 85-plus world record in the 3,000 metres in a Burnaby meet, clocking 19:58.05. She was named a co-winner of the Canadian Master Athlete of the Month in July.