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Damien

Jun 12 2024
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CANADA RUNNING SERIES TO HOST UNDER ARMOUR TORONTO 10K ALONG BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE THIS WEEKEND

By | Under Armour Toronto 10K | No Comments

CANADA RUNNING SERIES TO HOST UNDER ARMOUR TORONTO 10K ALONG BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE THIS WEEKEND

TORONTO, ON (JUNE 12, 2024) – Canada Running Series (CRS) is excited to announce that the annual Under Armour Toronto 10K will take place on Saturday, June 15th along the scenic Toronto Lakeshore, one of the signature events of Canada’s road running calendar. 

The Toronto waterfront is the perfect backdrop for this Father’s Day weekend event, offering an inspired experience for amateur and competitive runners, walkers and adaptive racers alike. A sold out crowd of over 7,500 participants ages 8 through 80 will toe the start line on Lakeshore Boulevard from Ellis Avenue to Remembrance Drive and back. They will represent 11 Canadian provinces and territories, 18 American states and 20 countries. 

What makes the Under Armour Toronto 10K unique is its expert course layout and event planning, designed by feedback from the local Toronto running community and run clubs. Many of those clubs will be supporting participants across eight cheer sites hosted by Black Runners of the GTA, Frontrunners, Chix Run the Six, We Run North York, Rogue Runners, Culture, Kardia and Midnight Runners. Cheers will be even louder for those running to raise $35,000 for KidSport Canada, a not-for-profit organization that helps remove financial barriers that prevent kids from playing sport by providing assistance for registration fees and sport equipment to children aged 18 and under.

This year’s Under Armour Toronto 10K race will also serve as the Canadian Masters Athletics (CMA) 10K Championships, with medals for the top 3 male and female CMA finishers. Up front, it promises a thrilling men’s race with British Columbia’s Andrew Davies taking on Ontario’s Lee Wesselius, Phil Parrot-Migas and Kyle Grieve, plus JP Flavin from Michigan’s Hansons Project, all of whom are hovering at or below 29-minute personal bests for the 10K distance.  The women’s contest will be no less exciting with all 3 of last year’s top finishers returning to battle it out again: defending champion Erin Mawhinney from Hamillton, Ottawa’s Salome Nyirarukundo, and Huron County’s Rachel Hannah.   

Whether it’s your first race, or you’re a racing veteran, the Under Armour Toronto 10K offers a beautiful, scenic, and accessible course. Much more than just a race, it underscores Canada Running Series’ commitment to diversity, inclusion and sustainability. There will be a dedicated Adaptive Athlete start at 7:25 a.m. for wheelchair participants before the mass start at 7:30 a.m., which will include a non-binary category as well as male and female gender choices. There will also be a separate 800m Kids Race for children aged 2-10, and new this year is the Green Bib program where participants choose not to receive a t-shirt and finishers’ medal in return for a portion of their entry fee being donated to a sustainability charity.

With a beautiful course and picturesque scenery, the Under Armour Toronto 10K is the event for everyone and promises to be an unforgettable experience. 

 

Details of the race day schedule are as follows:

Media Check-in & Availability

Located at the VIP tent in “Race Central” (Parking Lot 852 in Exhibition Place)

Open as of 6:50 a.m. 

Photos and brief interviews are available at the finish line for the media. If you are interested in setting up an interview, please email media@canadarunningseries.com.

 

Race and Event Times

7:25 a.m. 10K Adaptive Athlete Start 

(Start Line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Ontario Dr.)

7:30 a.m. 10K start 

(Start line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Ontario Dr.)

8:45 a.m.         Podium ceremony announcing race winners and top fundraisers 

(Main stage located in Race Central, Parking Lot 852 in Exhibition Place )

9:10 a.m. 10K final finish 

(Finish line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Newfoundland Rd.)

9:45 a.m. Kids Race start 

(Start line located on Lake Shore Blvd. W, west of Ontario Dr.)

The following area of Lakeshore Blvd. W will be closed temporarily to accommodate the Under Armour Toronto 10K on Saturday, June 15, 2024 between 4:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.:

  • Lake Shore Blvd. West from Windermere Ave. to Bathurst St.
  • Strachan Ave. from Lake Shore Blvd. West to Fleet St.
  • Fort York Blvd. from Lake Shore Blvd. West to Fleet St.

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ABOUT CANADA RUNNING SERIES (CRS) 

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with 7 events, 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver and 1 in Montreal. It annually attracts over 70,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 Canadian and local charities. The Under Armour Toronto 10K is the second Toronto race of the Series, which concludes with the World Athletics Elite Label TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization. To learn more about CRS, visit https://canadarunningseries.com/.

 

Media Contact

Emma Hunt, Sutherland Corp. 

media@canadarunningseries.com

416-708-9612

Jun 10 2024
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Une nouvelle ère pour le 21K de Montréal avec Courons MTL/A New Era for the 21K de Montréal with Courons MTL

By | 21k de Montreal | No Comments

Montréal, le 10 juin 2024 – Une nouvelle ère pour le 21K de Montréal avec Courons MTL

C’est avec enthousiasme que Canada Running Series annonce la cession du prestigieux 21K de Montréal à Courons MTL, producteur du Marathon Beneva de Montréal. Cette passation symbolise bien plus qu’une transaction : elle marque le début d’une nouvelle ère pour cet événement phare de la course à pied au Canada.

Les familles Brookes et Arsenault partagent depuis plusieurs décennies un riche héritage dans la promotion et le développement de la course à pied sur route, tant au niveau national qu’international. 

Alan Brookes, figure emblématique de la course à pied au Canada, a joué un rôle déterminant dans la réorganisation du Marathon de Toronto en tant que co-directeur de course entre 1986 et 1988. En 1990, il se lance dans une aventure qui allait devenir la Canada Running Series. Sous sa direction, la série est devenue le circuit de course sur route le plus prestigieux du Canada. 

Le 21K de Montréal, initialement introduit dans le cadre du Canada Running Series, a su évoluer, passant d’un 10K en 1999 à un demi-marathon en 2003 accompagné de courses de 5K et 10K, reflétant ainsi le dynamisme et la croissance de la communauté de coureurs. 

Pour sa part, le Marathon de Montréal est le premier marathon d’importance de calibre international à avoir vu le jour au pays et plus grand événement de course à pied au Québec depuis 45 ans. Il rassemble les adeptes de tous les niveaux de performance, ainsi que le public, à la recherche d’une expérience urbaine mémorable en mettant en scène Montréal dans toute sa beauté et sa diversité. Depuis novembre 2020, l’événement est produit par Courons MTL, sous l’égide et l’expertise du groupe produisant également les Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, et les Championnats du Monde Route UCI qui auront lieu à Montréal en 2026. 

« Notre expertise dans la production d’événements majeurs internationaux et notre engagement dans le monde de la course, qui date de 1979, sont les fondements sur lesquels nous bâtirons le futur du 21K de Montréal, » affirme Sébastien Arsenault, président-directeur général, Courons MTL. Pour en savoir plus sur l’histoire de l’organisation.

En confiant les rênes à Courons MTL, l’événement est promis à un avenir brillant.

« C’est un privilège pour notre organisation de prendre le flambeau et ainsi assurer la pérennité de ce précieux événement pour la communauté de course montréalaise, ajoute Sébastien Arsenault. Notre engagement envers les coureurs et coureuses sera ainsi rehaussé puisque nous pouvons désormais leur proposer des objectifs autant en début qu’en fin de saison, puis les accompagner tout au long de leur préparation. »

« Ce passage de témoin est très symbolique pour nous. Il représente non seulement la continuité de nos efforts, mais aussi une expansion vers de nouvelles possibilités pour le 21K de Montréal, » mentionne Charlotte Brookes, directrice de course, Canadian Running Series.

L’équipe de Canada Running Series restera impliquée le temps nécessaire afin d’assurer une transition harmonieuse, tout en continuant de développer ses autres événements à Toronto et Vancouver. Ce changement stratégique permettra une concentration accrue sur des initiatives majeures comme le TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. 

Cette nouvelle configuration est une promesse d’innovation et de croissance pour la scène de la course à pied au Québec, bénéficiant ainsi à l’ensemble de la communauté des coureurs au Canada. 

Pour plus d’informations et suivre les développements à venir, veuillez consulter. 

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Montreal, June 10, 2024 – A New Era for the 21K de Montréal with Courons MTL

It is with great enthusiasm that Canada Running Series announces the transfer of the prestigious 21K de Montréal to Courons MTL, the producer of the Marathon Beneva de Montréal. This transition signifies much more than a transaction: it marks the beginning of a new era for this flagship running event in Canada.

The Brookes and Arsenault families have shared a rich heritage in promoting and developing road running, both nationally and internationally, for several decades.

Alan Brookes, a prominent figure in Canadian running, played a crucial role in the reorganization of the Toronto Marathon as co-race director between 1986 and 1988. In 1990, he embarked on an adventure that would become the Canada Running Series. Under his leadership, the series became Canada’s most prestigious road racing circuit.

The 21K de Montréal, initially introduced as part of the Canada Running Series, has evolved from a 10K in 1999 to a half marathon in 2003, accompanied by 5K and 10K races, reflecting the dynamism and growth of the running community.

The Montreal Marathon is the first major international-caliber marathon in Canada and has been Quebec’s largest running event for 45 years. It brings together enthusiasts of all performance levels, as well as the public, seeking a memorable urban experience, showcasing Montreal in all its beauty and diversity. Since November 2020, the event has been produced by Courons MTL, under the guidance and expertise of the group also producing the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec and de Montréal, and the UCI Road World Championships to be held in Montreal in 2026.

“Our expertise in producing major international events and our commitment to the running world, dating back to 1979, are the foundations on which we will build the future of the 21K de Montréal,” says Sébastien Arsenault, CEO of Courons MTL. For more information about the organization’s history click here.

By entrusting the reins to Courons MTL, the event is promised a bright future.

“It is a privilege for our organization to take up the torch and thus ensure the continuity of this valuable event for the Montreal running community,” adds Sébastien Arsenault. “Our commitment to runners will be enhanced as we can now offer them goals both at the start and end of the season, and support them throughout their preparation.”

“This handover is very symbolic for us. It represents not only the continuity of our efforts but also an expansion towards new possibilities for the 21K de Montréal,” says Charlotte Brookes, Race Director of Canada Running Series.

The Canada Running Series team will remain involved as long as necessary to ensure a smooth transition while continuing to develop its other events in Toronto and Vancouver. This strategic change will allow for increased focus on major initiatives such as the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

This new configuration promises innovation and growth for the running scene in Quebec, benefiting the entire running community in Canada.

For more information and to follow upcoming developments, please click here.

Apr 07 2024
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Opening Day of the 2024 Running Season a HUGE Success! Spring Run-Off 8K & 5K in High Park – Post Race Report

By | Elite Athletes, General, Spring Run-Off | No Comments

TORONTO, April 6, 2024 – As Toronto’s oldest race still on the roads, it is an iconic beacon that Spring is finally here in the city. A sold-out crowd of 3,800 participated in today’s 47th annual Spring Run-Off in High Park in the 8K, 5K and 800m kids race, all steeped in tradition. As always, runners were piped to the Start Line, and enjoyed fresh maple syrup from Madawaska Maple products as prizing, and a delicious post-race pancake breakfast served up by Ubuntu Community Collective.

The race also featured the “Kill The Hill challenge” a race within a race. Just before participants crossed the finish line they flew up the final 365m of Spring Road Hill with the champions being proclaimed “Heroes of the Hill” for 2024! For the 2nd consecutive year, participants will also be going the distance to raise a much needed $42,000.00 for the Parkdale Community Foodbank that supports more than 6,000 families every month across the Downtown and West End.

Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Mike Colle joined us today for Official Race Start duties, and then jumped in to participate in the 5K and 8K races respectively.

Our 8K champions:

Jeremy Coughler (23:40)
Alexandra Lucki (27:23)

Our 5K Champions:

Jacob Zerko (15:58)
Mikayla Ryan (18:34)

This year’s Finishers’ medals are arguably the best-ever, by CRS designer Inge Johnson featuring the Maple Leaf Garden near Grenadier Pond with nature all around, with the theme continued in this year’s participant t-shirts, created by local artist Mark Serrano whose focus is on The Spring Run-Off and the nature and beauty within the park that we pass by. For more information, visit: https://canadarunningseries.com/spring-run-off/

Media Contact:
Bonnie Taylor
media@canadarunningseries.com
(647) 401-0974

About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is Canada’s premier road race series, offering seven annual events nationwide. Since 2017, CRS’s flagship event, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, has served as the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championship race and has doubled as the Olympic trials. In 2023, CRS raised over $3.5 million for over 200 local charities through the Charity Challenge.

Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity runners. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process.

Apr 01 2024
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Media Advisory: Mayor Olivia Chow and Ehab El Sandali return to the Spring Run-Off 8K & 5K in High Park this weekend: it’s Opening Day for Canada Running Series in 2024!

By | Elite Athletes, General, Spring Run-Off | No Comments

TORONTO, April 1, 2024 – It’s Opening Day for running in Toronto this weekend featuring the return of Mayor Olivia Chow and Ehab El Sandali to the Spring Run-Off in beautiful High Park, the first race in 2024 for Canada Running Series. As Toronto’s oldest race still on the roads, it is an iconic beacon that Spring is finally here in the city. A sold-out crowd of 3,800 will participate in the 8K, 5K and 800m kids race, all steeped in tradition.  As always, piper Dave McGonigal will lead runners to the Start Lines of this 47th edition, there will be fresh maple syrup from Madawaska Maple products as prizing, and a delicious post-race pancake breakfast served up by Ubuntu Community Collective.

Back again, the “Kill The Hill challenge” is a race within a race. Just before participants cross the finish line they will fly up the final 365m of Spring Road Hill with the champions being proclaimed “Heroes of the Hill” for 2024! For the 2nd consecutive year, participants will also be going the distance to raise a much needed $35,000 for the Parkdale Community Foodbank that supports more than 6,000 families every month across the Downtown and West End.

Mayor Chow and Ehab El Sandali will return to challenge the hills of Toronto’s most scenic park after a 10-year hiatus. In 2014, they both competed in the Spring Run-Off 5K, Ehab crossing the finish line first in 16:39 with then “Olivia Chow” an impressive 701st of 1,346 participants. What a difference a decade makes! Toronto native Ehab went on to win the 5K again in 2015 and place 2nd in the 8K in 2016. A stellar 6-year career at Iona College followed, where he led his team to 6 NCAA Conference cross-country championships. He has represented Canada twice, turned professional with the Puma Elite team based in North Carolina in late 2022, and has lowered his 5K best time to 13:25 and 10,000m to 28:50.  And of course, “Olivia Chow” has become mayor of Canada’s largest city, showing leadership in many ways throughout our country and community, and championing a healthy city for its people. 

The women’s 8K race will offer an exciting three-way challenge between Erin Mawhinney, the champion at last year’s Under Armour Toronto 10K,  Toronto’s Alex Lucki who was 2nd at the 2022 Spring Run-Off after a strong cross-country career at the University of Maryland, and the experienced Laura Desjardins who was 3rd at Spring Run-Off 2023, 2nd at the race in 2018; and champion at last year’s 21K de Montreal which earned her a place on Canada’s national team to the NACAC Half Marathon. All three raced each other in the Athletics Canada 10K Championships in Ottawa last May with Mawhinney placing 9th overall, Lucki 12th and Desjardins 13th.

The men’s 8K race promises to be a tasty battle between Ehab and Thamesford’s Jeremy Coughler, the defending champion who has owned the race for the past 2 years.  Dundas’ Rob Kanko, who was 2nd last year, will also be on the Start Line plus strong up-and-coming talents Max Turek and Mitch Ubene. Turek was the 2022 U-Sports cross-country national champion and placed 8th at the Athletics Canada National Cross last November with Coughler 10th, Kanko 13th and Ubene 16th.

For those not fortunate to have grabbed a place on one of the start lines, everyone is invited to come out and cheer along with more than a dozen Toronto run crews at six official cheer sites around the picturesque courses. The run crew representation further reinforces Canada Running Series’ commitment to diversity and inclusion at the events and in the city, including Black Runners of the GTA, Chix Run the Six, Frontrunners, Pride TO, Parkdale Road Runners, High Park Rogue Runners, Kardia and RUNTOBEER. It’s a fun morning with great weather promised in a good cause; Spring has arrived in our city and Toronto will put its best foot forward. Together.

What: Spring Run-Off

Where: High Park, Toronto, ON

When: Saturday April 6, 2024

  • 10:00 a.m. 8K Race Starts
  • 11:15 a.m.5K Race Starts
  • 11:45 a.m. Kids Race Starts

Who: Canada Running Series Race Director, Alan Brookes, will be available for interviews. Interviews with select athletes may also be available upon request.

Where to park:

Please note that parking is not available within High Park on race day and the park is closed to vehicles on the weekends. Limited parking is available on side streets outside the park. For a list of Green P parking lots in the area, visit http://parking.greenp.com.

Feb 12 2024
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Toronto’s The Running Physio Announces Partnership with Canada Running Series for 2024 Season

By | General, Oasis ZooRun, Spring Run-Off, TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

Ontario’s premier rehabilitation centre for runners will help guide athletes from their training plan to the finish line for the Spring Run-Off, Under Armour Toronto 10K, Oasis ZooRun, and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

TORONTO, CAN (February 12, 2024) – The Running Physio, Toronto’s one-spot-shop for runners looking to recover from injury or train for a race, will be partnering with the Canada Running Series (CRS) for the 2024 editions of the Spring Run-Off, Under Armour Toronto 10K, Oasis ZooRun and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. The clinic – operating since 2016 – has treated over 6000 runners since its inception and provides physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, running analysis and customized training programs to runners of all levels.

The Running Physio will be providing training recommendations, mobility and stability exercises, and run form tips to participants leading up to each race. Their team will also be available post-race to provide hands-on therapy to athletes, and for runners attending the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, they will be providing free run form analysis and massage during Expo hours. With over 50% of runners experiencing an injury during their running careers, having The Running Physio available at each race is a perfect partnership.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have The Running Physio’s support at our Toronto events in 2024,” said CRS National Event Director Charlotte Brookes. “As a past client of the Running Physio during my running journey, I know first hand how important their services and support are to reaching your full running potential. We are thrilled to see what we can build together to elevate the event experience this year.”

With an increasing number of runners looking for specific services available to help guide them through injury, The Running Physio has seen more and more people tired of hearing “just stop running” from their physician. With a deep-rooted philosophy that “anyone can run”, the clinic emphasizes teaching clients how to listen to their bodies to push harder when they can, and pull back when they are teetering on trouble. 

Boston Marathoner and Ironman athlete Lauren Roberts is a Physiotherapist and Owner of the clinic. “With over 50% of runners experiencing injury during their running career, we created our business to be able to keep people moving – regardless of their abilities or goals. Whether you are looking for advice on shoewear or to set a new Waterfront Marathon PB, we can help you. It’s a really fun environment – our team really loves working with motivated patients.” 

Registration is now open for the 2024 season. The Spring Run-Off is April 6th in High Park, the Under Armour Toronto 10K is June 15th, the Oasis ZooRun September 14, and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 20. 

For more information on The Running Physio, please visit www.therunningphysio.ca. 

For more information on Canada Running Series events, please visit www.canadarunningseries.com.

 

For press inquiries please contact: 

Canada Running Series: Damien Hope |damien@canadarunningseries.com | 416-944-2765 x508

The Running Physio: Lauren Roberts| lauren@therunningphysio.ca

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About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is Canada’s premier road race series, offering seven annual events nationwide. Since 2017, CRS’s flagship event, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, has served as the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championship race and has doubled as the Olympic trials. In 2023, CRS raised over $3.5 million for over 200 local charities through the Charity Challenge.

Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity runners. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process.

About The Running Physio 

The Running Physio is a well-established Physiotherapy clinic in Toronto providing Physiotherapy, Running Analysis, Run Coaching and RMT services for people who love to move. The clinic takes pride in maintaining a reputation for effectively treating runners of all levels and abilities with precision and confidence. With personable and highly-trained staff, high-end equipment and private rooms, The Running Physio has treated over 6000 runners in Toronto and the GTA since 2016.

Physiotherapist and Clinic Owner Lauren Roberts grew tired of hearing “I tried physio before but…it didn’t really help”. She set out to create a clinic with a mission to develop a safe space where clients are listened to and provided with a step-by-step plan to get better and get back to the things that make them happy. As a female-run, family friendly clinic with a continuous drive to do things better, The Running Physio has challenged the traditional physiotherapy service industry in a continuous pursuit to connect with people and help them achieve their goals.

 

Dec 05 2023
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New partnership between Canada Running Series and CelePLATE

By | Eastside 10k, General, Oasis ZooRun, Spring Run-Off, TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

CelePLATE becomes the official personalized medal engraving provider for all Canada Running Series events through 2024. 

TORONTO, ONTARIO, December 5, 2023 – Canada Running Series (CRS) is pleased to announce a new partnership with CelePLATE, a new Canadian, female-owned business offering personalized laser etched inserts for the back of participants finisher medals.

Participants have the option to purchase an engraved plate which fits nicely into the recess on the back of their race medal or the ribbon clip which is secured onto the ribbon with a custom-made clip. Participants simply collect their race medal at the finish line and their personalized CelePLATE will arrive in the mail within two weeks, laser engraved with their name and finish time.

Expanding on their commitment to sustainability, Canada Running Series is delighted to be working with CelePLATE. “With most of our participants residing in Canada, participants will receive their engraved plate in just a few days and with a much shorter travel distance using a local, Canadian company,” said Charlotte Brookes, National Event Director of CRS. 

“CelePLATE is thrilled to partner with Canada Running Series, providing their participants the opportunity to enhance the race experience and celebrate their achievement with a custom plate insert. With the endorsement of Canada Running Series, a world-class running event organization, CelePLATE is poised to grow our brand presence within the Canadian racing community and play a part in recognizing the hard work and dedication that goes into training and participating in a race.” Chief CelePLATION Officer, Tara Melville adds.

Registration for Canada Running Series 2024 events is now open. Visit https://canadarunningseries.com for more information.

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About Canada Running Series  

Canada Running Series is Canada’s premier road race series, offering seven annual events nationwide. Since 2017, CRS’s flagship event, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, has served as the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championship race and has doubled as an Olympic qualifier. In 2022, CRS raised $4.2 million for over 240 local charities through the Charity Challenge. 

Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity runners. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. 

Media Contact:
Ian Cater
Senior Manager of Marketing & Partnerships
ian@canadarunningseries.com 

About CelePLATE

CelePLATE is proudly Canadian. Founded by Race Director and Co-Owner of Run Well Events Inc., Tara Melville, CelePLATE was created to offer Canadian events, from running to triathlon, an alternative to using an overseas supplier for personalized medal inserts. As a Canadian company, orders are delivered quickly, with sustainability in mind. CelePLATE’s head office is located near Guelph, Ontario. 

Media Contact:
Tara Melville
Chief CelePLATION Officer
CelePLATE
tara@runwellevents.com  

 

Jul 11 2023
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HOKA joins the 2023 Oasis ZooRun as official Footwear & Apparel Partner

By | Oasis ZooRun | No Comments

TORONTO, CAN (July 11, 2023) – HOKA and Canada Running Series (CRS) are excited to announce a partnership between the two brands today, as the popular shoe brand becomes the official footwear and apparel partner of the 2023 Oasis ZooRun. The new deal will see HOKA bring their signature shoes and new, exciting activations to the Toronto Zoo this fall, including unique shirts for over 800 kids in the popular (and now sold-out) CubRun events.

“HOKA Canada is committed to building our Canadian community – not just amongst marathoners, trail and core runners, which is where our brand found its roots, but amongst those who find joy in movement,” said Chelsea Cardoso, brand manager for HOKA Canada.  “There is a sense of empowerment and elation that comes with having the ability and privilege to move our bodies, however we choose to do so. This year, as HOKA Canada enters its first year of partnership with the ZooRun, we’re hoping to empower our youngest movers as we launch our new collection of youth footwear and expand our community to include the run leaders of our future.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to have HOKA’s support on one of the most fun, unique events in our Series,” said CRS National Event Director Charlotte Brookes. “Their commitment to building community and empowering younger runners makes them a perfect partner for this race. We’re thrilled to see what we can build together to elevate the event experience this year!”

Since 2003, the Oasis ZooRun has hosted over 5,000 adults and over 1,000 children & youth annually across 10km, 5km, 800m and 400m distances, with all participants running & walking through the paths of the Toronto Zoo. Registration for the Oasis ZooRun 10K, 5K and CubRun is open now, with limited spots remaining.

 

For more information on Canada Running Series events, please visit https://www.canadarunningseries.com/.

For more information on HOKA Canada, please visit https://www.hoka.com/en/ca/.

 

For press inquiries please contact:

Canada Running Series: Kelly Dekoning|kelly@canadarunningseries.com | 289.700.2435

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About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with seven events: four in Toronto, two in Vancouver and one in Montreal. It annually attracts over 70,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly local charities. The Series includes the World Athletics Elite Label TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization. We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians and international stars to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners, and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is “building community through the sport of running.”

Jun 13 2023
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Tristan Woodfine Favoured at the Under Armour Toronto 10K

By | Elite Athletes, Toronto Waterfront 10, Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

by Paul Gains

Among the 6,500 runners expected for the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K (June 17th) – the third stop on the 2023 Canada Running Series – Tristan Woodfine is the favourite. It’s a situation with which he appears entirely comfortable.

Considering the ups and downs he has faced the past two years, clearly he is back in the form which saw him beat the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualifying standard in the 2021 London Marathon (2:10:51) only to be bumped from a potential Canadian team spot at the eleventh hour when Cam Levins ran 37 seconds faster.

Last fall the 29-year old – he turns 30 the day after the Toronto race – set a personal best at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon with his 62:42 clocking and more recently a personal best in the Valencia 10km (29:06). In the latter race he felt prepared to go much faster.

“There was a huge pileup and a bunch of people went down,” he recalls. “Luckily, I didn’t go down but I got caught up with people having gone down. The first few hundred meters was a complete crap show.

“There was a big group of guys running under 29-minute pace. I was about 10 seconds back at the first kilometre and missed running with the group. It would have been perfect to be in that group. Nevertheless, it was still a PB and you can never be upset about that.”

Now he looks forward to a fast time in Toronto. Although he denies lingering emotional effects from the Olympic campaign – an appeal was denied by Athletics Canada – it must have been a catastrophic moment in his running career.

“It was very disappointing at the time,” says Woodfine. “It’s tough when it’s not as simple as in the US where the top three (from the trials) go. The subjective criteria make it tougher to handle because it’s not cut and dried. I got over it and used it as motivation to train hard. The last couple of years I have just been plagued by little problems physically. Emotionally things have been great.”

After completing his paramedic studies at the Ontario Health and Technology College he put his selected vocation on hold recognizing that the energy level required for long shifts as a paramedic was not conducive to his running career. Now he is earning money with an online coaching program. At present he has about a dozen clients.

“That has taken off the past couple of years. It’s nice,” he reveals. “You are helping people achieve their goals in running. It’s a nice complement to the training you need to do for a marathon.”

Woodfine credits two-time Canadian Olympic marathoner, Reid Coolsaet, with his improvements the past year. The pair had occasionally trained together in Guelph when Coolsaet was with Speed River Track Club.

“Yes we have been working together almost a year now. It has been great. He has so much knowledge and experience in the sport which is really helpful when you are trying to navigate qualifying for the Olympics,” Woodfine explains. “He’s been there and done that. I have had a half marathon PB and a 10k PB since working with him.”

As it happens Coolsaet will also be running the Under Armour Toronto 10K along with ten of his running clients including Woodfine.

Although he is focused on trail running and not the roads where he had so much success the now 43-year-old Hamilton resident has a booming coaching business which he calls ‘Coolsaet Go’ a play on the ‘ready, set, go’ mantra. Asked his expectations this Saturday he laughs.

“Probably the least expectation I have had of a race for years just because I haven’t done any workouts on the roads,” he replies laughing.

“All my efforts have been on the trails. And, I am just coming back from an injury and getting ready for upcoming trail races. I don’t really have a clue. I have been feeling pretty good the last few weeks – I would like to break 33 minutes.”

Coolsaet’s uncertainty sets up a potential challenge with 2015 Pan Am Games marathon bronze medalist, Rachel Hannah, who is keen to put behind her the disappointment of the recent national 10k championships in Ottawa. There she was clipped from behind and fell heavily to the pavement. That cost her almost a full week’s training.

“Potentially, I think a really good day would be 33 something,” Hannah says of her target. “That would be my ‘A’ goal. It would be awesome to run under 34.

“I am focusing more on the 10k distance because it does help my fall marathon. I will start another marathon build in July.”

Hannah, who set a new Glass City Marathon (Toledo) course record in April laughs at Coolsaet’s assertion he hopes to break 33 minutes. “Maybe Reid is underselling himself. I imagine he will run faster than that,” she says laughing.

In addition to her work as a dietician at the University of Guelph’s Health and Performance Centre – she commutes from her home in Port Elgin, Ontario once or twice a week preferring to work remotely – Hannah has been working at the McMaster University’s David Bradley Centre also.

Along with 5 Canadian titles to her credit at distances from 5k to the marathon Hannah, who recently became engaged, can point to a personal best 10k of 33:08 and 32:36.17 on the track.

This is the first year of Under Armour’s title partnership, following title partnerships of the Eastside 10K in Vancouver (2017 – present) and the Spring Run-Off in Toronto (2020 – 2022). The fast course along Toronto’s scenic waterfront is sure to provide the field with a fine opportunity for quick times.

For the complete start list, click here.

 

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About Canada Running Series

Canada Running Series is the nation’s premier running circuit with seven events: four in Toronto, two in Vancouver and one in Montreal. It annually attracts over 70,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly local charities. The Series includes the World Athletics Elite Label TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization.

We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians and international stars to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners, and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is “building community through the sport of running.” More info: https://canadarunningseries.com/

 

For media access on race day, please contact Bonnie Taylor at media@canadarunningseries.com or call 647-401-0974.

Jun 07 2023
0

New, inclusive prizing to be introduced beginning with the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K

By | Elite Athletes, Toronto Waterfront 10, Toronto Waterfront 10K | No Comments

Canada Running Series is excited to announce the addition of new Open Prize categories at this year’s remaining events, beginning with the Under Armour Toronto 10K on June 17th, 2023. The events will be expanding cash prize eligibility to the Top 3 Men, Women and Non-Binary finishers. This prize money will be separate from the existing Canadian Men’s & Women’s prizing designated for elite athletes competing in the Athletics Canada Label races.

This is just the next step in an ongoing effort to make CRS events more inclusive experiences. In 2018, CRS began receiving feedback from participants looking for more inclusive gender options on registration forms.  In collaboration with Race Roster, MaxVO2, and The 519, we introduced two additional gender options for all CRS events – Non-binary and Prefer not to disclose – that were much more inclusive than the traditional Male & Female options.  

Since then, participants have been encouraged to participate as they identify when signing up for Canada Running Series events. Hundreds of events across the country and beyond have since enabled this same option on their Race Roster registration forms.  

In addition to being able to select more inclusive gender options, CRS also began providing Age Category prizing at all of our Canada Running Series events back in 2018 for the 3 gender categories awarding top 3 men, women and non-binary athletes in each 5-year age group. 

Additional awards and prizing details for Canada Running Series events can be found here. 

May 30 2023
0

Race Day Essentials for the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K

By | General, Toronto Waterfront 10K, Training Tips, Uncategorised | No Comments

The countdown is on for this year’s Under Armour Toronto 10K. We’re rounding up our top race day essentials to help you stay focused to the finish and crush your PB!

Cool, calm and comfortable:

Feeling the pressure? Don’t sweat it. Running gear from the Iso-Chill product line by our sponsor Under Armour feels cool to the touch, with sweat-wicking, quick-drying fabric to keep you ultra comfortable.

The Iso-Chill Run 2-in-1 Shorts feature built-in mesh inner shorts to disperse body heat so you can breeze past the other runners.

 

 

 

Rain or shine:

The only way to really beat the forecast is to come prepared for any type of weather.

A packable, water-repellent jacket like the Rush Woven Anorak and the lightweight, breathable Iso-Chill Launch Run Cap will keep you covered.

 

New best pace:

We know you’ve got it in you. Hit your stride and log a new best pace with shoes that put in work for you.

The insanely light UA HOVR Sonic 6 provides added comfort, breathability and cushioning for extensive performance, so you can make the distance without irritation.

 

 

A photo finish:

Show the people what they want! Whether you’re participating virtually or in person, share your favourite #UAToronto10k moments on social media to show the world why the Under Armour Toronto 10K is the best run in the city.

Who you are supporting:

The 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K proudly supports the Toronto community by working with our local charity partner – KidSport Canada, a national not-for-profit organization, that works to remove financial barriers preventing kids from playing sports. Learn more about how you can help fundraise.

We hope these race day essentials help you feel cool, calm, and comfortable from start to finish. Don’t forget to gear up, conquer the distance, and leave your mark on the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K by sharing your favorite moments on social media using #UAToronto10k.