The Zeno Strides for Sustainability is a marathon fundraiser started by co-CEOs Gursh Bal and Kai Fahrion that aims to raise money for a community initiative every year. The marathon fundraiser was inspired by Bal and Fahrion’s dedication in constantly challenging themselves to be better individuals while improving the lives around them. This commitment is exemplified in their decision to quit their day jobs to start Zeno Renewables after winning SAIT’s Train the Trades Business Plan competition in 2016.
During the time of founding Zeno Renewables, Bal was involved in a motorcycle accident. To rehabilitate the injury, the pair committed to running a marathon together. Training for the marathon not only helped Bal regain his physical strength, but it also mentally helped him position his body to repair itself faster. Since then, Bal and Fahrion have committed to run 50 marathons while simultaneously using this goal as a medium to support local community causes that Zeno Renewables operates in.
Since its inception, the Zeno Strides for Sustainability Marathon Fundraiser has raised over $61,000 for social justice efforts. This includes raising over $34,000 dollars for student scholarships for SAIT and NAIT.