Whenever he has time -- and wherever he is -- you will likely see him running, building the endurance for an upcoming 26-mile run.

In rain, snow, sleet or hail, Scott Crocket can be found training for his upcoming marathon run. - NNSL photo

Crocket is a member of North West Company's diabetes fundraising team.

He and three other North West Company employees will make the trip to New Orleans on Feb. 16 for a marathon as part of the Canadian Diabetes Association's Team Diabetes Canada.

"We have in our service area a very high diabetes rate. It's a great concern for our customers," Crocket said about why the company has committed itself to the cause.

"Last year we raised in excess of $80,000 and we hope to at least match that this year."

On a more personal note, Crocket has reasons that hit closer to home for participating in the marathon.

"My grandmother died, and she had diabetes, and my aunt was just diagnosed with diabetes," he said.

On the other side of the coin there is also the physical challenge of the marathon that Crocket is looking forward to.

"I want to prove to myself I can run 26 miles," he said.

He trains whenever and wherever he can, but noted it can be a little difficult because he does a lot of travelling.

He recalled a couple training runs in Cambridge Bay at 5 a.m. this winter. "Every shadow screams bear," he said.

Crocket, who has run a half-marathon, is hoping the full marathon goes well.

"I want to finish happy and not collapse. I'd like to do it in 4-1/2 hours.

"I'm not a small man. Before I started training I weighed 255 pounds, I'm down to 230 pounds," he said.