Brian Whitfield started swimming from Prince George to Vancouver three years ago.
He completed that journey Wednesday night at the Prince George Aquatic Centre when he touched the touched the wall in the pool.
The 56-year-old Whitfield became the first Special Olympics swimmer to successfully complete the City of Prince George Aquatic Fitness Challenge, a project he started in July 2008.
"Quite a few started and not very many finished, so to me it shows dedication and perseverance -- that's a Special-O athlete -- and he wasn't being pushed from home," said Thom Ross, program co-ordinator for Prince George Special Olympics.
"He's done this on his own. When he sets out to do something he just does it. He's in extremely good shape for his age. It took him over three years and that's consistent. He never missed any time. I've known Brian for 24 years and I've never met a more dedicated athlete. I'm very proud of him."
Whitfield accumulated 13,360 points to equal the distance from P.G. to Vancouver. He earned two points for every 25 metres he swam and with every stage he completed was rewarded with a T-shirt. The first stage to Quesnel required 4,720 points and he needed another 4,800 to get to Williams Lake. The third stage to Cache Creek was the longest, at 8,120 points, followed by the next stage to Hope, which took another 7,720 points. He needed just 63 points to finish off the project Wednesday night.
"Having it in portions like that made it easier for him," said his mother Ivy, who has been counting his laps. "He doesn't say a lot but he's very excited about it."
Whitfield competes in Special Olympics swim meets and is also an avid cross-country skier, having won a gold medal at the 2008 national championships in the 7.5-kilometre event in Quebec. He also competes in Special Olympics track and field events.
Born with a hole in his heart, Whitfield was severely limited in his physical activities until he underwent heart surgery at age 20. He joined Prince George Special Olympics 25 years ago when Ivy Whitfield joined forces with Dee Neukomm, Mabel Cotts and Sheila Blacklock to create the local organization. Starting with a general exercise program, they soon added bowling to the list of activities. The local group now offers 13 different sports, with a minimum of 130 special needs athletes participating.
Since then, Whitfield has become a devoted fitness enthusiast, working out daily with his home gym equipment. From October to April he swims one hour per night, twice a week with Special Olympics and coach Chris Glazier, averaging between 60 and 75 laps per session. When the winter Special Olympics season is over, he walks to the pool to swim three nights every week.
"He swims all year," said Ivy. "He swims constantly. We live six blocks from the Aquatic Centre and he just goes on his own and does it. He likes the independence of walking. He likes to swim and he's motivated, it's his cross-training for cross-country skiing.
"He's in good shape because he works out all day when he can and he watches his food. He won't eat any hamburgers or junk food."
