A Hamilton Township man has taken on a new meaning for the term “beer run.”
But for 38-year-old Ian McKelvey the beer run is about going for a daily jog ranging from four kilometres to 12 kilometres per day and picking up empty alcohol that have been tossed in the ditch.
McKelvey has lived in Hamilton Township with his family for three years and for the last five months has been jogging around his neighbourhood on area roads like Dale Road, Ontario Street, Racetrack Road and Cornish Hollow Road.
A total of 1,036 empty beer cans along with numerous alcohol bottles, coolers, and wine bottles.
“I try to grab garbage too, but usually my hands are so full with empties.”
What’s so disappointing is not only the number of people obviously drinking and driving, but the consistency of finding the same brand in the same area.
“If I go running on Dale Road, I’ll find a lot of Busch cans, and Bud Light cans. If I go up Cornish Hollow I’ll find a lot of Sleeman 2.0. And always the same cans in the same place so it’s definitely the same people.”
“It’s concerning knowing there is so much drinking and driving going on.”
McKelvey said he’s also for the help he’s had along the way.
“I’m pretty fortunate some people will come out of their houses and give me larger bags because they see that I’m struggling with how much I’m carrying on the run.”
On Thursday, February 29, 2024, McKelvey collected on the empty cans and bottles and brought them to The Beer Store in Cobourg.
After returning all the cans and bottles, McKelvey walked out of The Beer Store with $112.50 for his efforts in cleaning up the environment.
Ironically, while waiting in line, he spoke to two other people who were also returning empties they had collected in walks along the roadway – though their efforts weren’t as profiting as McKelvey’s who said if anyone spots him running along the road way, give him a honk and a wave.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
