Wildwood End to End: A Tribute to Brent Canode

Six years ago, I was coming out of a deep depression. Movement became my antidote. I discovered that running didn’t have to mean going all out—it could be slow, enjoyable, and healing. As I got healthier, I realized alcohol was no longer serving me, but I didn’t know how to stop. I just knew I wanted to. On April 28, 2019, I quit drinking cold turkey. I reached out to the only sober friend I had, and she took me to a meeting. It didn’t resonate. She agreed to do the steps with me, but that didn’t feel right either. I was searching for something different.

Gabe Rucker, an inspiration of mine, had been posting on Instagram about running and sobriety. One day he mentioned a group called RUN TRG. That night, I showed up at a dark track and met Yassine Diboun for the first time. My life has never been the same since. Through the highs and lows, RUN TRG has been my constant.

Brent Canode made RUN TRG possible. Through his leadership at the Alano Club of Portland, he transformed the organization into the largest non-clinical recovery support center in the country. Under his direction, the Club became a model for holistic recovery, offering everything from peer mentorship and mutual aid groups to yoga, meditation, exercise-based recovery programs, and large-scale sober social events. He believed that recovery should be accessible, diverse, and built on community, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that people could find support in whatever way resonated with them.

His influence reached far beyond Portland. Brent was a national leader in addiction recovery advocacy, helping shape policy and legislation to better support those in recovery. He played a key role in the UNITE to Face Addiction rally in Washington, D.C., the largest recovery rally in U.S. history. He also helped organize the first-ever Caucus for Addiction Solutions at the Democratic National Convention, bringing together policymakers, elected officials, and recovery advocates to push for meaningful change. In Oregon, he was a visible force in shaping recovery-focused policies, serving on numerous state and county advisory councils and launching initiatives like the Oregon Recovery High School Initiative, which aims to create a gold-standard high school for students impacted by substance use disorders.

Brent’s work changed lives. I am just one of thousands who have flourished because of the programs he created. His impact gave me the space to become the best version of myself.

Every year, I mark my freedom from alcohol by running Wildwood End to End—roughly 30 miles. This run is more than a challenge; it’s a spiritual pilgrimage, a reflection of the past year, and a rite of passage for Portland’s trail runners. This year, for my 6th annual, I’m dedicating my run to Brent Canode. As a gesture of gratitude, I’m raising funds to contribute to his legacy at the Portland Alano Club and RUN TRG.

I appreciate any donation, and if you’d like to join me on April 28, let me know. You don’t have to be in recovery from alcohol or substance abuse to participate—this is about believing in the cause, whether it’s for yourself, someone you know, or someone you love. You also don't have to do the whole 30 miles, or any of the miles for that matter, just come cheer us on.

I’m so grateful for everyone who has joined me over the years to celebrate on the trails, and I look forward to sharing many more miles with my community in the years to come.

Thank you,

Annalou