Hero's welcome for Landon Smith: Run across province raises over $65,000 for Autism NS

Cape Sable Island native son Landon Smith returned home to a hero’s welcome on Oct. 18 after completing an 804-kilometre run over two weeks from one tip of Nova Scotia to the other in support of Autism Nova Scotia.

Smith and his team were escorted by fire trucks through the Barrington/Barrington Passage corridor and across the Cape Sable Island Causeway when he returned home.

Along the route hundreds of people lined the street waving balloons and signs of congratulations.

“Landon, you’ve given our community so much to be proud of. What started as one man’s goal turned into something that brought people together from one end of Nova Scotia to the other,” wrote the Municipality of Barrington on social media. “A huge shoutout to the amazing support crew, family, friends and everyone who ran alongside him, cheered him on, donated or helped him put one foot in front of the other. You were all part of something pretty special.”

The welcome home to Shelburne County came as a total surprise to Smith.

“I didn’t think something like that was ever going to happen. It was good. It was a shock for sure,” he said, talking about how tired he was and how eager he was to finally go home after his experience.

Smith’s mom, Sandi Haughey, said nothing prepared her for the welcome home they received.

“I expected a couple people holding signs. Nothing prepared me for that,” she said.

It began outside Shelburne with fire trucks on both sides of the highway flying a Nova Scotia flag.

More fire trucks greeted them when they passed through Clyde River.

They arrived in Barrington to find members of the Barrington Horse and Pony Club lined up to greet them by the Barrington Municipal Exhibition Grounds.

Smith started his run on Oct. 3 from the Hawk on Cape Sable Island, which is Nova Scotia’s most southerly point, and finished on Oct. 17 at the province’s most northly point in Meat Cove in Cape Breton.

Inspired by his nephew who is Autistic, Smith, his mother, his brother Robin Smith, and his cousin and best friend Devan Waybret were the initial core support team for the run. His running community and friends, however, had other plans.

“I thought I was going to run a lot of it alone but people from home kept showing up and running with me. I had a lot more support than I ever dreamt of really,” said Smith.

A rally cry ‘Meat Cove, Let’s Go’ was the fire that kept him going and motivated, said Smith.

“All the support pushed me,” he said. Smith estimates he ran maybe 50 kilometres alone during the whole 14 days.

“Every day people were showing up,” Smith said. “It was a good surprise.”

It took a little longer than expected to do the run.

“I kind of got injured. That slowed things down,” Smith said. “It was a lot different than I thought it was going to be. The hills were a lot bigger than I expected.”

For safety, Smith stayed off the main highways during his run.

“It was a lot more kilometres. I took every back road, trail and side road possible. Up back of Musquodoboit there are a lot of logging roads. That was interesting. No cell service. It’s unreal the amount of stuff you see when you are running. Every little brook and waterfall. It’s way nicer on foot and you save on gas too,” he said.

Footwear is another story. Smith said he has “three pairs of sneakers to retire.”

As anyone who’s ever been to Meat Cove knows, the road in is long.

“I didn’t think we were ever going to get there. An old lady kept running beside us and saying after this hill there are no more hills, you will be in Meat Cove. Well after that hill there was nothing but mountain, but a lot more uphill than what she said,” said Smith.

Arriving in Meat Cove, Smith said he didn’t expect to see so many people from home to be there to congratulate him at the finish line. Even Lucy the Lobster made the journey.

In true Cape Breton fashion, the community centre opened it’s doors with a spread of food and refreshments for everyone. The Meat Cove campground owner raised an Autism flag in celebration.

All along the run route was support, said Haughey.

“I thought when we left Shelburne County, we were going to be on our own. We never once felt like we were on our own,” she said.

“In Cape Breton I went into a store and a woman there said she had four Autistic grandchildren and she passed us an envelope. Then the store owner passed us one. Pretty much the whole time, people noticed and were paying attention,” she said.

As part of her son’s support team, Haughey said part of her job was to drive ahead of Landon a number of kilometres, set up the lawn chairs and get food ready for him.

“He was burning so many calories we had to constantly have food ready for him to eat and drinks,” she said. “Landon would stop when his feet were really swollen. He would have to elevate them a little bit.”

The team encountered one particularly nasty weather day in the Cape Breton Highlands.

“It was rough,” said Haughey. “The wind and rain and freezing cold and people showed up. He was not alone once that day. The people that came from here and ran by his side, I cried every single day we were on the road because of a story, or someone did something nice. It gets you in the heart.”

As for the money raised for Autism Nova Scotia, “It blew my mind. I don’t know how it ever got this big still,” said Smith.

As of Oct. 21, $65,454 has been donated to ‘Landon’s Tip to Tip Run for Autism Nova Scotia.’

“People are still donating. We still have donations here to be tallied up to go in. It’s going to be over $70,000 for sure,” said Haughey.

While raising more than $65,000 for Autism Nova Scotia “is an extraordinary accomplishment,” Smith’s run has done more than raise funds, said Vicki Harvey, interim executive director of Autism Nova Scotia.

“It has brought people and communities across Nova Scotia together in support of Autistic people and their families,” said Harvey.

“Over 14 days, Landon covered 804 kilometres across the province, pushing through sunshine, rain, wind, and fog. Along the way, people joined him on the route, schools got involved, and communities came out to cheer him on. Families also shared their stories and experiences, creating opportunities for people to learn from one another and connect around a shared commitment to the Autistic community,” she said.

“We hope the conversations and connections sparked by Landon’s journey continue well beyond the finish line. Raising awareness is an important step, and continued learning, understanding, and inclusion help create a province where Autistic people are respected, valued, and supported throughout their lives,” said Harvey.

The funds raised through ‘Landon’s Tip-to-Tip Run’ will help Autism Nova Scotia continue providing inclusive summer camp experiences for Autistic children, youth, and adults across the province, said Harvey.

Harvey said camp memories last a lifetime, and every camper deserves opportunities to explore their interests, build friendships, develop skills, and experience a sense of belonging.

“Our summer camp is often the only one our campers are able to attend. Providing these experiences takes dedicated staff, thoughtful planning, and the right resources,” said Harvey.

“The funds will help ensure we can provide a 1:1 camper-to-counsellor ratio, sensory tools, recreational equipment, arts and crafts supplies, accessible spaces, community outings, and more,” adds Harvey. “Landon’s efforts, combined with the generosity of everyone who supported his journey, will help Autism Nova Scotia continue making these experiences possible for campers and their families across Nova Scotia.”

Nova Scotia is estimated to be home to more than 32,000 Autistic people. Autism Nova Scotia provides programs, services, and support for Autistic people and their families across the province, said Harvey.

“Through our Regional Autism Centres and provincial initiatives, we offer family support, early-years programming through QuickStart Nova Scotia, social and recreational opportunities, mental health services, summer camps, employment supports, and more,” explained Harvey.

Harvey said beyond delivering these services, Autism Nova Scotia also advocates for inclusion, raises awareness, and works with Autistic people, families, government, and community partners to address barriers and improve access to support.

“Making a lasting difference requires sustained investment in services, collaboration across sectors, and a commitment to listening to and responding to the needs of the Autistic community,” said Harvey. “Autistic people and their families deserve access to appropriate supports and opportunities throughout their lives, regardless of where they live in Nova Scotia.”

Harvey said Autism Nova Scotia thanks Sandi, Robin, and Devan for supporting Landon along the way, and to everyone who joined him on the route, cheered him on, shared his story, or donated.

“The generosity and encouragement shown by people across Nova Scotia have been inspiring. This support will help Autism Nova Scotia continue creating camp experiences where Autistic children, youth, and adults can connect, explore their interests, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Online donations can still made to ‘Landon’s Tip to Tip Run in Support of Autism NS’ at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/autismnovascotia/p2p/landons-run-for-autism-ns/ .