SANDPOINT — Gwen LeTutour has run ultra marathons, and he has run in firefighter gear, but nobody has ever recorded a 100-mile run in full turnouts.

The Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS volunteer firefighter will attempt to set a new world record on April 28, and while running 100 miles in 25 pounds of firefighter gear — from helmet to boots — sounds like quite the feat, there is a much deeper meaning behind the effort.

"It's not about the world record, it's not about me running 100 miles," LeTutour said. "It's about cancer prevention."

The run is the first campaign of the nonprofit Plant-Positive, founded by LeTutour and Katie Adams. As both are long distance runners, the couple decided to use their talent to do something that would make "a lot of noise" to bring attention to their cause in hopes that it will inspire people to make even the smallest steps toward a healthier lifestyle, which is the mission of their nonprofit. If LeTutour can run for 30 hours, give or take a few, others might be encouraged to run a mile, Adams said.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, which is partnering with Plant-Positive for the event, 50 percent of most cancers can be prevented, LeTutour said.

"That's huge considering every year, half a million people die from cancer," he said. "So if 50 percent can be prevented, that's a quarter million people that we could maybe save. That is something to me that is so important, especially as a firefighter. The reason I am a firefighter is because I want to help people — I want to save lives. Here is an opportunity to save a quarter million people in the U.S."

While a lot of organizations that focus on cancer awareness and support for those who have cancer, the couple said they were "blown away" with the American Institute of Cancer Research and its focus on cancer prevention. The institute came up with 10 recommendations for cancer prevention. LeTutour and Adams plan to incorporate as many of those recommendations into the 100-mile event as possible. Physical activity is number two on the list, so that is one box checked as the entire event will promote being active.

The time it will take LeTutour to complete the run is unknown, since nobody has ever done it before, so 30 hours is a conservative estimate as it could take a few hours more or less, LeTutour said. During that time, he will need to eat, so the aid stations will be set up with cancer-fighting foods. Several of the institutes recommendations revolve around eating healthy.

"Which is one of the main goals of our nonprofit also, is empowering people to improve their health and the health of their planet," Adams said. "And one of the ways we do that is by showing them how fun and easy and awesome healthy food can be."

Basic ingredients for a healthy diet include things like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which can be made into "delicious" foods like granola bars. Many of the foods people think of as "unhealthy," like pizza and burritos, can actually be "very healthy" if it is prepared from the right ingredients.  

Plant-Positive partnered with Selkirk Fire, the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network for the event. LeTutour said he not only wants to educate the public on cancer prevention, but fellow firefighters as well.

The event will be based out of the Sandpoint fire station, 1123 Lake St., which will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 28, and 9 a.m. to noon on April 29. Tables will be set up with information from the different organizations.

LeTutour will begin at 8 a.m. with a lap around town. A fire truck will be follow through town to get exposure for the start of the event, and then he will proceed to the Sandpoint-Dover Community Trail. He will run the trail between the Sandpoint fire station and the Dover fire station continuously until he completes the 100 miles. He will be in full, National Fire Protection Association approved gear, including helmet, turnout and boots. Adams said firefighters have been recorded running 100 miles in the turnouts and helmet, but none have done it in the boots, which is what will tip the scales for a world record.

Anyone is invited to tag along with LeTutour, particularly for the last mile, or even the last 100 yards, to show support and celebrate as he finishes the run. Live Facebook feeds are being set up to track the run and narrow down LeTutour's finishing time. Follow Plant Positive on Facebook for details.

Along with being recorded, LeTutour is required to have two witnesses at all times, which is where the public comes in. He is looking for volunteers to run or bike small sections of the course with him, day and night.

For information or to volunteer as a witness, email hello@plant-positive.org.

Mary Malone can be reached be email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.