The Flash, Spiderman and Iron Man joined forces Monday to help sick children.

Long-distance runner Jamie McDonald, a.k.a. The Flash, passed through Toronto on his westbound cross-Canada run to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Children, as well as two hospitals in the U.K.

McDonald, 26, from Gloucester, England, swapped his backpack for a stroller to carry essentials like water, a tarp and an iPhone on his daily marathons, which began March 12 in St. John’s, Nfld.

“I chose Canada because I heard it was the best country in the world.”

The stroller was a more practical choice to lug around 30 kg of supplies, said McDonald, who has clocked 1,756 km so far and is making the journey without a support crew.

Staff from SickKids and community members joined McDonald for a ceremonial Toronto lap, along with Nico Orfeo, 10, a.k.a. Iron Man, who has been receiving ongoing treatments at SickKids for an undiagnosed genetic condition.

His brother Maximus, 7, was dressed up as Spiderman and said his spidey sense told him he would give The Flash some fierce competition.

The brothers powered up with a protein-rich breakfast of bacon and eggs, said their father, Nick Orfeo, who added that the boys had been asking if it was run day for the past five days.

Spiderman rode the tail end of the block in the stroller, but when he saw Iron Man pulling up the lead, he ran back and slung an arm around his brother’s shoulder. They finished together.

As a child, McDonald was hospitalized on and off for nine years due to syringomyelia, a degenerative disorder where a cyst forms on the spinal cord and grows over time, often causing nerve damage. He learned that exercise diminished his symptoms, and now hopes to inspire children.

“It doesn’t matter what they go through or how sick they are. They can still follow their dream.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

With a staple diet of tinned fish, butter and coconut oil, which provides the fat and protein he needs, McDonald says he misses a good Sunday dinner.

“If I can get my hands on a roast dinner at any point, that’s a winner.”

McDonald has raised $9,000 for SickKids to date of his $40,000 target, and is aiming to collect 60,000 pounds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Pied Piper Appeal in the U.K..