All posts tagged with: Charlie Bewley

On Saturday, July 7, False Creek seawall was stormed by 1,035 people who stripped down to their underwear, raising an incredible $633,000 and bringing more awareness to cancers below the waist.

Proceeds from the annual Underwear Affair 10km run and 5km walk benefit the BC Cancer Foundation, supporting research and care at the BC Cancer Agency. British Columbia has the best survival rates of any other province in Canada and the BC Cancer Agency has become the model for cancer care and control around the world.

Finishing first place was Twilight movie series star, Charlie Bewley, who finished the 10km race in just over 37 minutes.

Here are my results:

• Time: 45:32
• Finish Male: 24 / 249
• Finish Overall: 27 / 622

Photo Credits: Jay Minter and Billy Hurr

Twilight star, Charlie Bewley, with Mr. Gay Canada People’s Choice winner, Brian Webb at the 2012 Underwear Affair. Photo credit: Jay Minter

Charlie Bewley on stage accepting his award as the top place finisher in the 2012 Underwear Affair. Photo credit: Jay Minter.

In just over 37 minutes, Twilight star, Charlie Bewley, crossed the finish line at the annual Vancouver Underwear Affair, as the overall first place finisher of the race to help fight cancers below the belt.

Charlie, who is best known for his role in the popular Twilight movie series, calls Vancouver as his second home. He primarily lives in Los Angeles, where he has just finished filming two new movies already this year.

Bewley ran the annual Underwear Affair in memory or two friends who have recently passed from cancer. He is an avid supporter of the BC Caner Foundation. In 2011, Charlie ran the BMO Vancouver Marathon – running an ultra marathon of a half marathon (21.1km) followed by a consecutive full marathon (42.2km).

Charlie is currently in Vancouver on a short visit and will be returning home to Los Angeles to continue on more projects.

Myself and Twilight movie actor, Charlie Bewley, at the 2011 BMO Vancouver Marathon finish line.

Heading out for a run includes more than just a pair of well fitted running shoes. Here is my list of the top 10 pieces of running gear ever runner should have:

1. Running shoes – new runners only last 500km!
2. Non-cotton, moisture wicking socks
3. Running shorts and running tights, depending on the weather conditions
4. Gloves
5. Long and short sleeved moisture wicking shirts
6. Head lamp
7. Nutrition (sports drink, gels / beans / blocks)
8. Hat / sweatband
9. Water bottle / belt
10. GPS watch with heart monitor to track your pace, distance, calories and heart rate

How does a young guy from Vancouver, BC, get a roll in the hit movie series, Twilight? According to Charlie Bewley, who played Demetri in the Twilight series, it was hard-work, timing and a great agent.

Before he starred in the Twilight series, Charlie was essentially a broke actor and was working at Vancouver’s Lift Bar and Grill to pay his bills.

Charlie was also dating a local girl at the time he landed his big role. In the lead up to the filming of Twilight their relationship ended and they quickly parted ways.

To secure his role, Charlie was working with coach, Susan Batson. She brought the opportunity to audition to him. He credits Susan with the way she was able to bring his essence to the role during the casting.

Charlie had just ten short weeks to prepare for the roll from the time of casting to the beginning of filming. His roll required him to put on muscle in preparation for his strip-down on set.

Charlie has since filmed multiple Twilight films as the character Demetri. The next Twilight movie comes out later this year.

Charlie Bewley, who played the roll of Demetri on the hit movie series, Twilight has enjoyed being single since he started filming his first Twilight movie. It’s no secret the young, successful heartthrob is available, but, is he looking for a relationship?

“Anyone is welcome to have it a go!” said Bewley in a recent interview.

Bewley made it very clear that he does not date for reputation.

“I’m looking for someone with energy more than anything.”

He is attracted to passion positive aura.

But hold on boys and girls… does Charlie play for Team Jacob or Team Edward?

“I play for team Demetri and then team Volturi,” said Bewley.

Boys, you’re out of luck. Charlie Bewley is not gay and he is looking forward to meeting the right girl.

When I woke up on Sunday, May 1, I knew my four months of marathon training was about to pay off as I put on my gear to run the 40th Annual BMO Vancouver Marathon.

It was a perfect morning. Clear, blue sunny skies, cooler air for the rain the day prior, and a body that was full of energy for the day’s events.

Every race event I’ve been to has been full of energy, but this one was different. Jay and I had a well thought-out plan for the entire morning, we knew our responsibilities and we were prepared.

Also bringing peace, calm and harmony to the early morning start was seeing so many of the familiar faces of the members from the Denman Running Room who I had spent so much time training with. I put all my trust into their program and I was anxious to feel the results.

Although I had trained for a 3h 30m finish time, I had to re-evaluate after being out of training for over four weeks due to multiple injuries. As a result, I lost out on valuable speed and endurance training. As I approached the start line I was prepared to run with the 3h 45m pace group.

I remember June James from the Running Room telling us you have to set three goal times:

1. To complete the race
2. The goal time you think you will run and be happy with (3:45)
3. Whisper time – the time we secretly tell ourselves we want to achieve when we feel inside we are prepared for our best run day ever.

I had spend the days leading up to race day mentally preparing for “to complete the race”, but when I got up race morning and got to the start line for the 3:45 pace group, the energy felt wrong. Like I had the energy to do better. I shifted to the 3:40 pace group

When the shotgun when off to start the race I crossed the start matt with the 3:40 group. They were running 10 and 1’s; I had trained for 20 and 1’s. My training has taught me to start off slow and to trust the pace bunny’s speed. I did exactly that.

After the first 10km were over I felt like I had got into my rhythm and was ready to excel. From that point I was off on my own, managing the course on my own. I maintained my pace and moved to 20 and 1’s. I was paying attention to my hydration and nutrition levels and felt very confident.

I breezed through all the water and nutrition stations having learned in training that you should never rely on on-course supplies, especially because our bodies have been adapted to using specific products. Race day is not the day to try something new!

Along the route I had planned to see Jay and Ross, which they were anxiously awaiting me at every point and cheered me on. I also saw other friends along the route including Steve. When you see someone you know along the race route who is cheering you on, it gives a giant boost of energy and feeling of purpose, that you instantly forget your pain and continue on with renewed excitement.

During training I had only ran up to 32km. When I hit km 30, I could feel the pain in my legs. I popped an Advil and kept on running.

At km 32, I passed John, another member of my Running Room training group. He was already headed towards km 34.

At the top of the hill at km 33, the furthers point in the entire course from the finish line, my body was screaming for hydration. I stopped at the water station for water but was handed a sport drink. I could feel it instantly upset my stomach, which thankfully only lasted about half a km.

I felt in control the rest of the way through Kits. The crowds along the street helped keep me going.

I knew km 37 – 40 were going to be the toughest. It’s the point in the course with long, steep hills. I couldn’t maintain my 20 and 1 tempo and dropped back to 10 and 1’s. I could feel the lactic acid weighting down my legs and the gels in my stomach starting to sit heavy. By km 38 the 3:40 pace group had caught up.

As I approached the Burrard Bridge the 3:40 pace group over-took me. On the way up the bridge deck I could feel my heart sink as I saw the group get further and further ahead. By the time I had crested the bridge, the 3:40 pace group was easily two full city blocks ahead of me. It was at that point I had to make a decision – finish in advance of 3:40, go for complete.

I chose to go for it and by km 41 I had caught back up to the 3:40 pace group. With only 1.2 km left to go, I asked if there was going to be any more walk breaks and the pace bunny said no because there was only about six minutes left in the run.

Although I was extremely tired, my body was exhausted and my legs were in pain, I knew I had to push on. I mustered up what little energy was left in my body and continued to run ahead of pace towards the finish line.

So many times my body kept asking to take a walk break, but with the cheering from the people lining the streets and knowing I only had moments left before I would complete my first every marathon, I knew I could not stop.

I sprinted the last half kilometer to the finish line. I don’t remember hearing anything other than the beats of the music as my feet pounded forward. I knew there were friends waiting for me.

As I approached the finish line I remembered two key things:

1. To take out my ear buds as I crossed the first matt in advance of the finish line so I could hear them call my name – to which I almost cried
2. To listen to June’s advice to run across the finish line, ‘upright and smiling’, with my arms proudly above my head.

Once I crossed the finish line I wanted my medal so bad. I had worked so hard to wear the blue ribbon around my neck.

Making the moment even more exciting was to see Jeremy greeting me at the finish line. Jeremy was my 3:30 pace leader at the Running Room had he was instrumental in keeping me on track, motivated and focused during training.

Once I caught my breath I walked out of the finishers area and joined up with friends. Knowing there were people waiting to see me after my biggest athletic achievement made me feel so proud.

As accredited media for the BMO Vancouver Marathon, I also had the unique opportunity to be able to be on the finish line at the time Charlie Bewley crossed the finish line. Charlie is best known for playing the character, Demetri, in the Twilight movie series. It was exciting to hear first-hand Charlie’s first words and comments as he completed his ultra-marathon challenage (a 21.1km half marathon followed immediately by a 42.2km full-marathon).

I ended the morning event by rejoining my friends for a celebratory bottle of champagne and hugs.

This was by-far one of the most exciting running events I have ever attended and it was well-worth the four months of dedicated training.

My final stats: 

• Place Overall: 568/3225
• Place in Sex: 470/1827
• Place in Division: 81/246
• Pace in Minutes/km: 5:13
• Finish Time: 3:39:53

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The weather couldn’t be any more perfect on Sunday, May 1 when Charlie Bewley, best known as the character, Demetri in the Twilight movie series, set off to complete his Run For Your Life ultra-marathon challenge.

In 2010, Charlie’s best friend and actress, Jocyln Clarke, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Wanting to raise awareness, help others who have cancer, and more importantly connect with his friend Jocyln at a deep spiritual level, Charlie agreed to do whatever it would take to help. The result would be for Charlie to run an ultra-marathon – a 21.1km half marathon followed immediately by a 42.2km full marathon.

When Jocyln passed away from cancer in February 2010, Charlie knew his mission was even more important. He was well aware of the difficulties and pain his friend underwent during her cancer treatments.

“Most people would never understand or realize what a worrier they really are,” Charlie explained. “It’s through the evolution of society and technology that people are lazy and sleepy. We are so far away from the primal beings that we really are.”

When Charlie and I spoke in March 2011, his goal was to complete the ultra-marathon in under six hours. When the official results and race times came in, Charlie’s time was under 5h 45m.

“There was definitely the competitor in me in the first half marathon,” said Charlie as he recalled his experience of running the ultra-marathon challenge. “The first half marathon was just about keeping the pace and thinking about my pace at any given moment.”

Running a marathon is mentally and physically challenging. As an athlete Charlie listened to his body and paid attention to hydration, nutrition and his physical well-being. But Charlie also took time to reflect on the true purpose for the day, to honour Jocelyn.

“I remember he vivacious spirit and energy,” Charlie said with excitement in his voice. “I would smile and start running too fast and had to slow down. I thought of her when I was in real pain.”

As the kilimeters added up, Charlie’s body was starting to take the toll and he began to suffer from severe pain.

“When I thought about her [Joclyn], and the phone calls I had and the fears in her voice, my body would hear this and say ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t meant to moan or winge, I’ll just keep going.’ Next think you know I would have another two or three miles in me.”

As Charlie came towards the end of his ultra-marathon challenge, like many other marathon runners, he found his inner-strength to pull-through with every last piece of energy in his body.

“I was struggling mid-way through the marathon. At kilometer 40 at the top of Burrard Bridge everything just relaxed and I cruised in pretty fast, considering how much pain I had been in.”

When Charlie crossed the finish line he was extremely proud of his accomplishments and achievements. He knew he had done his part that day to fulfill a commitment to his best friend.

“I never wanted to know if I could do this run,” Charlie stated. “I wanted ti to be that ridiculous amount of running, and to be sure the stakes were high enough that when the stakes did hit, they were there to keep pushing me on. That was the only way it was supposed to be.”

Charlie raised over $20,000 for the Encology department at Lions Gate Hospital, the department that treated Jocelyn.

“This is the start of something really special,” Charlie explained. I feel very content with everything that has happened this weekend. It’s made it the most magical day.”

Charlie is looking at new ways to continue the momentum from the Run for Your Life campaign to keep the legacy of Jocelyn Clarke alive.