A 24-hour speedskating marathon, to be held Sunday on Sylvan Lake as a fundraiser for The Children’s Wish Foundation, will be the first ever to be held in Canada, says organizer Art Goelema.

“Such an event has never been held in Canada,” he said.

The marathon is to begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 and will involve three groups each comprised of five skaters.The five skaters will skate on a two-kilometre track for an hour, then take two hours off, and then skate again.

The track will be lit up through the use of generators throughout the night.

Goelema said he has wanted to organize such an event for some time and is excited to see it finally come to fruition.

“It is good to be able to give back. If we have to skate and suffer a little bit during the night but we are putting a smile on a child’s face, then it is all worth it. I’ll skate any day for that.”

The marathon will be a fun and worthwhile event, he said.

“I’m totally pumped. I’m sure we will have terrific ice and the weather Gods will be with us.”

However, he said, if the weather is not favorable, it will make no difference.

“If it is, it is. We’re going to start it and we’re going to finish it.”

Donations to The Children’s Wish Foundation may be made on line or at the event.