Updated: Mon Jan. 19 2009 19:00:30

ctvcalgary.ca

A Calgary mother is taking on an historic global run to help combat vision loss.

Norma Bastidas is training to complete seven ultra marathons on seven continents in seven months. If she succeeds, she will be the first person in history to do so.

The single mother started running two years ago after her son was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy. The progressive eye disease has no cure. "When the diagnosis came, he started losing his sight dramatically. We noticed he went from the diagnosis to visually impaired very quickly," says Bastidas.

It's because of her son that Bastidas wants to raise awareness about vision loss around the world.

Starting Friday, she will run more than 1,400 km to reach her "777 Run for Sight" goal. Along the way, Bastidas hopes to raise $100,000 for the CNIB, Foundation Fighting Blindness and Operation Eyesight Universal.

Bastidas says the next seven months will be grueling as she runs through some of the world's most difficult terrain and all types of weather. But she is confident she'll be able to complete the challenge. "I'm in a good space, I know I can do it...I'm just going to miss my kids," says Bastidas.

If Bastidas finishes her journey she will be accepted into the Guinness Book of World Records.

For more information on the run, or to make a donation, click on the Norma Bastidas link.