Damien, Author at Canada Running Series

Jul 27 2016

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Digital Champions Blog: Go Your Own Way(s).

By Damien | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

By Dan Grant.

Toronto July 27th 2016.

It took me a while to understand what it is about running I love so well. I had heard plenty of reasons I should love it, but nothing ever resonated.

I was a solo runner – and adamantly so – not because I had found the elusive high others hinted at. It was simply a means to escape and be alone with my thoughts, letting them run as far as they liked. Running was therapy, plain and simple. And that was enough.

Then, one day in 2014, in a bout of depression or desperation or maybe inspiration – I honestly don’t remember, just that my life needed a kick in the ass – I sent out a plaintive tweet in search of anyone who might want to join me for a 5k run to a brewery.

What has evolved into RunTOBeer taught me the beauty of falling in with like-minded runners. Until then, run clubs had never appealed to me, with their focus on results, photos and/or the latest branded merchandise. I just wanted to run and have beer.

That’s how I discovered others were looking for something similar. RunTOBeer might not be your thing (but there’s no cost and it does involve free beer… just sayin’), however I do believe there’s something more out there for pretty much everyone. If you’re not a beer fan, maybe you’re a foodie. Conquer the castle or cruise the beach. Out at dusk or up before dawn. Or maybe there’s another concept just waiting for you to breathe life into. In the past couple years many other new packs have formed, built by and for people that love running their own way. And that’s beautiful.

Even if it’s working for you now, don’t get stuck doing the same thing until it grows stale. If you’re part of a group you love, try some solo runs as well. Mix it up with different crews. Try running in the snow. Sprint. Go somewhere you’ve never been.

Some (probably most) trials won’t be your thing, but what have you got to lose? You’re going to learn more about yourself, and you might just find something else you grow to adore.

One of the most gratifying aspects of RunTOBeer is that in two-and-a-half years we’ve never had to ask anyone to be less of a jerk. Runners are generally kind, supportive individuals. Give yourself a chance to learn from more of them.

For me, personally, I’ve learned I’m capable of going so much faster than I thought. Even though my thighs have always been bigger than my wife’s waist, I assumed I was only a distance runner. I never planned to enter a race shorter than a half marathon, because what was the point when I run lesser distances with RunTOBeer anyway? What would I gain by doing it in a more organized setting? Did I need another reminder I’m not speedy?

Then I tried the Race Roster Spring Run Off. Then the Waterfront 10, then the Pride & Remembrance 5k. A couple weeks ago, while in Buffalo, I saw signs for a four mile race that same evening and entered on a whim. It turns out I’m hooked on something I always thought I’d be lousy at… and generally finishing in the top 15%! Who knew?

By placing myself in different situations I’ve not only become a much more well-rounded runner, but I’ve also found new connections to both introspection and community. I’ve become simultaneously more at peace and ambitious. I find myself endlessly inspired by other runners’ discoveries and enthusiastic about sharing my own (hence, bringing City Running Tours to Toronto).

If the role of a Digital Champion is to provide inspiration, the best advice I can share is this: give yourself the opportunity to inspire yourself. Explore what’s there for you. You wouldn’t have read this far if you weren’t curious, so go get it! It’s there for the taking. Play around, because running isn’t just running, it’s also beer at the finish line if that’s what you want. It’s the sun rising over the lake. It’s friends you haven’t met yet. It’s wooded trails with bird songs and the sound of your feet hitting the dirt. The possibilities are enormous, so go find out what kind of runner(s) you are. You won’t regret it.

About Dan Grant: If you’re running with me, chances are we’re finishing with a beer. The crew I co-founded in 2014, RunTOBeer, takes 100 or more sets of legs to breweries and craft beer bars a few times each month. Earlier this year I also brought City Running Tours to Canada and completed a 50k “beer run” to raise money for Northern Alberta wildfire relief. Check out my blog, From Pint A to Pint B, at RunningMagazine.ca. Connect with Dan on Twitter and Instagram.

*Photo Credits:
1. Header Image: STWM 2015 – Closing in on the finish line of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
2. Winter Beer Mile with RunTOBeer co-founder Tej Sandhu – Ever tried a Beer Mile in Winter?
3. Pride and Remembrance 5k – I’m not sure the wig helped, but it was way more fun this way.

Jul 26 2016

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Tarah Korir Running For World Championship Berth and For Kenyan Kids

By Damien | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

July 26th, 2016 – By Paul Gains

Tarah Korir, STWM 2015

Any marathoner would be delighted with a personal best time, but Tarah Korir wants this and more when she lines up for the 2016 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16.

A berth on the Canadian team to the 2017 IAAF World Championships Marathon in London is in the offing should she run fast enough in this IAAF Gold Label race. And, because Toronto is also the Canadian National Championship, there are other considerations and rewards to be considered.

The Kenya-based mother of two was paced to a 2:35:46 time at the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon last May by an exclusive pacemaker, her husband and Kenyan Member of Parliament, Wesley Korir. That was a personal best by some fourteen minutes and opened her mind to greater prospects.

Wesley, the 2012 Boston Marathon champion, will represent Kenya at the 2016 Olympics and the couple had hopes of being the first husband wife duo to compete in the Olympic marathons. But Ottawa was unseasonably warm and Tarah fell short of the Olympic qualifying standard of 2:29:50.

“I am very happy with how that race went,” she says from her home in Cherangany, Kenya. “I think that I ran a smart race given the conditions. I hydrated well before and during the race which helped me to run well despite the heat. I do not usually run well in the heat so running a ‘PB’ in hot weather was great.

“Unlike my first marathon I still was able to maintain a decent pace right up to the end. I knew my chances of getting an Olympic qualifier on my second chance at the marathon was quite a long shot and that everything would have had to come together on race day including the weather. Finishing fifth overall – and first Canadian – also helped to make the Ottawa Marathon a special experience for me. I love racing in Canada where I can get support along the course from family and friends.”

Korir who is from St Clement, Ontario, just north of Waterloo, met Wesley when the two attended the University of Louisville. She has had an impressive year thus far. In addition to that enormous personal best, she represented Canada at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff March 26, finishing 23rd in a very good 1:12:04. Considering that day was marred by cold rain and wind her confidence has grown immensely.

“I think I will decide (my Toronto goal) once I’m further along in my training,” Korir adds. “Of course a personal best would be nice and I wonder what could have been possible on a cooler day in Ottawa.

“I don’t think I will change a whole lot (in training) except maybe trying to do a bit more mileage in workouts and long runs. My second marathon buildup had more mileage that the first but was still relatively conservative. I will see how my body responds to training.”

At this point the couple can’t say for certain whether Wesley will pace his wife, but he would like to. If he runs well in Rio, no doubt he will earn invitations to race a fall marathon. Regardless, Korir expects to have a good run in Toronto. “Wesley has told me he really enjoyed pacing me in Ottawa,” she reveals, “and I enjoyed having him pace me, especially because there ended up not being many other people around us. Wesley would love to pace me again if it works out.”

“I will definitely go in to Toronto with more confidence than the first one because of having now covered the distance twice. My confidence going into Ottawa was based on having good training leading up to Ottawa so my training prior to Toronto will also factor into my confidence level.”

In Kenya she has no shortage of training partners. Occasionally she runs with Wesley on his easy days and with a group of elite Kenyan women on other days. Given the conditions in Ottawa she knows she can run much faster.

The IAAF announced the London 2017 qualifying standards in March. Women running 2:45:00 or better during the qualifying window, which began in January 1st of this year, are eligible for the race. At this point, Athletics Canada has not released their standards although Head Coach Peter Eriksson has indicated his standards will be superior to the IAAF’s. He says the National Team Committee will announce them “prior to the marathon in October.” That doesn’t sit well with athletes and coaches.

“Of course knowing the standard is nice so that you don’t end up finding out after the fact you were a few seconds off of a particular standard and you have a target to go off of for training,” Korir responds.

“That being said, I think most athletes are always trying to better their own personal times and, sometimes, chasing a particular standard can force people to run at a particular pace that may be too fast. (They do it) just to try to make the standard and then blow up in the second half of the race. But that is part of what happens with racing.”

Korir says she enjoys every opportunity to come back to Canada. Besides being the official Canadian Championship, Toronto represents a chance to further the objectives of the charitable organization she and husband Wesley set up a few years ago called the Kenyan Kids Foundation.

The foundation is one of 185 official charities that are part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and is operated by Tarah’s father Blair McKay. Among the initiatives they have undertaken are improvement in dairy farming techniques, clean water and health education as well as general education from pre-school age children and up.

Their fundraising target at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is $15,000. This money will provide scholarships to twenty impoverished high school students as well as fund a pre-school program in Cherangany. Korir is encouraging runners to sign up to run Toronto Waterfront with her and raise money for the team or to make a one-time charitable donation.

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For more information and to join Tarah’s team:

http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/charity/kkfc.htm

Photo Credits:
1. Header Image: PHOTO RUN

Jul 25 2016

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Crew Charity Competition at 2016 #Eastside10k

By Damien | Digital Champions, Eastside 10k | No Comments

VANCOUVER – July 25, 2016

Back by popular demand, this year’s event will again feature a Crew Challenge supporting our charity partners. There are some new components though, including cheer stations, costume contests, and more!

Also new this year, the competition will be between Charity Teams rather than individual crews and clubs. This means more crews can get involved to make a difference – your run crew just needs to decide which Charity Team it will be competing for. In the end there will be four Charity Teams, each team composed of multiple crews.

Charities which crews can compete for:

Outline of Competition for each Charity Team:

Average times for fastest five males plus fastest five females will set base score/time
Every runner counts – for each finisher, Team’s time will be reduced by 10 seconds
Fundraising – for every $100 raised, Team’s time will be reduced by 10 seconds
Additional time reductions can be achieved through the Head-to-Head Crew Event (details TBD – held on another date), Best Costume Prize, and Cheering Stations
Charity Team with the lowest cumulative time wins!

Requirements

Crew/Club leader should email eastside@canadarunningseries.com with their charity preferences (rank 1 to 4) and expected crew participation by August 5th – leaders will be given a discount code for their team.
After official Eastside 10k Charity is confirmed for each crew, they must set up a fundraising page at Eastside10k.com.
Must commit to fundraising at least $50 from the crew to be eligible for the competitions.
Participants must designate their crew team by September 11. This can be done during registration, or by emailing crs@2mev.com before the deadline. Note that this team selection is by Run Crew / Club – your crew leader will notify CRS which charity your crew will represent.

Check out how last year’s challenge went down in these videos – part one | part two

Jul 14 2016

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Meditation in Motion – by Katherine Moore

By Damien | Elite Athletes | No Comments

Guest Article by Katherine Moore

Calmness comes with Quiet – B.K.S Iyengar

This is one of my favorite quotes. I find a calmness and quiet in both Running and Yoga. They require you to drop into your body, breath, and connect to the present moment. This creates incredible inner discipline, strength and ease.

Running and Yoga are like a healthy relationship. They compliment each other beautifully. Running, as freeing as it can feel it can be demanding on the body, nervous system and joints from repetitive action. With Running and in Life we make goals and projects to constantly improve on. Yoga helps you to become aware of your body, mind and breath, which can awaken you to the possibility of change. Yoga you are practicing taking a step back even leaning back, breathe into the back body and accept the moment you are in. These teachings can bring great balance to training and everyday life.

What I love about Yoga is you are always practicing. You may practice the physical practice for a certain time but the yoga practice is 24hours. The teachings are everywhere. You can weave the teachings into your running training. Being present in your training is a great technique. This can help to avoid injury so you accept where you are in your training and practice being patient to achieve your goals. Being present and patient also means listening to your body. You will learn that if you are feeling tired or something is sore to adjust your schedule and rest. That is probably the hardest one for runners and being goal orientated.

Both in Yoga, Running and life you are always refining and changing, it is a continuous practice. Patience and presence you practice in yoga can help you to achieve future goals.

To offer harmony and balance I have partnered with Shelley Tomczyk and created a weekend retreat:

MEDITATION IN MOTION – BOWEN ISLAND YOGA RETREAT
Wake up to morning meditation practice by the ocean followed by yoga practice and a guided run to Killarney Lake. Relax in peaceful eco friendly Zen cottages in the forest and enjoy holistic organic vegetarian meals, snacks, juices, and smoothies prepared by Nutritionist and private chef Kate Horsman. Learn running drills to improve form and technique coupled with asana practice with focus on restorative and therapeutics. Swim, unwind, find stillness, and retreat for the goodness of the soul.
OCTOBER 21-23- 2016
To register – www.runningintoyoga.ca

Jul 13 2016

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The Girl in the Stroller: Calum Neff Set To Bring Guinness World Record Back To Toronto!

By Damien | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

By Amy Friel.

TORONTO. July 13th 2016.

Annika Kapral’s advice for setting a Guinness World Record is simple:

“Don’t do anything.”

Michal and Annika Kapral, STWM 2004

And she would know; Kapral, now thirteen, was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records at just under two years old – a tiny passenger along for the ride as father Michal set the record for the fastest marathon pushing a stroller.

“I tell her that she’ll always be The Girl in the Stroller,” he jokes.

Kapral’s mark of 2:49:44, set at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2004, has been bettered several times since then – a Guinness World Records title that is at once hotly-contested and surprisingly fast, by any standard.

“It doesn’t slow you down as much as you might think,” Kapral recalls of racing with a stroller and toddler in tow. “But the whole experience is just totally different because you have so many other things to worry about. Before a marathon, you kind of have enough to worry about, with your nutrition and gear and whatnot. And on top of that I had all the stuff for the stroller, and trying to take care of a toddler. It was like a two-page checklist.”

For his part, Michal says that Annika was a model passenger.

“She was asleep for the first half,” he recalls. “Around the half-marathon mark, she woke up. And when she woke up I immediately had a minor panic attack.”

But his worry proved unfounded as Annika, who had hitched a ride for the bulk of her father’s marathon training (including long runs), happily took in the sights of the race without complaint.

“The best thing that she did was to not complain,” he says. “She was really encouraging, in training and in the race. She was like ‘Go Daddy go!’”

When it comes to competing for a Guinness World Records stroller title, a successful race comes down to equal parts training, dedication, careful planning, and plain old luck. It’s a formula that Calum Neff hopes to replicate this fall, when he tries to once again bring the Guinness World Records title home to Toronto.

Katy Half-Marathon, 2016. Photo Credit: Bill Baumeyer

Neff is no stranger to stroller racing; earlier this year, he set the Guinness World Record for the fastest half-marathon while pushing a stroller at the Katy Half Marathon in Texas, with 11-month-old daughter Holland in tow. For Neff, who boasts an impressive 2:22 marathon PR, the stroller record for the full marathon distance was a logical progression.

“I’ve been meaning to race in Toronto for a number of years,” says Neff, who has strong family ties to the Toronto area. “It allows family members to see me run, because most of the time they’re not around when I’m running. It gives them a chance to be a part of it.”

So when he saw that officials would be on-site as part of the Guinness World Records challenge at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, he knew the time had come for him to make his mark on the Toronto course.

“I jumped through a few hoops to do it on my own and get it ratified, since Guinness wasn’t there,” he says of his half-marathon title.

In order to prove he’d run the entire distance with the stroller, Neff streamed the run live on Periscope. For him, the added bonus of having Guinness World Records officials present at the Toronto race means one less thing to worry about come race day.

“It’s pretty special,” he says of the partnership. “It’ll be nice to take that pressure off, and have them actually on-site.”

The special partnership between Guinness World Records and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon can be traced back to Michal Kapral’s original record-setting run more than a decade ago.

“Marathons don’t usually allow strollers – or really any race, for that matter,” Kapral says.

Like many marathoners who hope to claim a Guinness World Records title, Kapral knew he needed to find a top-level race that would be willing to accommodate his unusual requirements.

“So I checked with (Toronto Race Director) Alan Brookes,” he recalls. “And being the good guy that he is, he gave me a special dispensation to try to set the Guinness World Record pushing Annika in the stroller.”

With that, a unique tradition in the Toronto running community was born – a tradition that has grown steadily over the past decade, with 2016 promising to be the biggest year yet.

Calum with older daughter Aley.

For his attempt at the marathon record this fall, Calum Neff plans to run with with older daughter Aley as his passenger, in the hopes that his older daughter will be able to take a positive memory from the experience.

“Aley will be turning four in August, and four-years-old is definitely when you start forming those lasting memories,” he explains. “Even though she’s a little bit heavier than Holland, she’ll be able to take it all in. I’m really looking forward to that bonding experience.”

For Michal Kapral, bringing Annika along on the road to his Guinness World Records title proved to be more than just a bonding moment. Over the final gruelling kilometres, his bubbly toddler became a source of inspiration.

“You’re pushing your kid along, and you’re really suffering in the race, but you’ve got this encouragement,” he recalls. “That’s the greatest thing ever.”

Applications are now being accepted for Guinness World Record attempts at the 2016 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half-Marathon! Find out how you can apply to break your very own Guinness World Record: http://runcrs.co/1TROjVx

*Header image photo credit: Scott Flathouse

Jun 29 2016

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NEW – Eastside 10k Clinic from Mile2Marathon

By Damien | Community Leaders, Eastside 10k | No Comments

The Eastside 10k’s ‘10 weeks to your best 10k’ is coached by Mile2Marathon coaches Dylan Wykes and Rob Watson. These two have completed a combined 20 marathons under 2:20 and have represented Canada on the biggest stages that road racing has to offer at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and the Boston Marathon. They have also competed locally in all of the Canada Running Series Events. Dylan was the champion of the inaugural Eastside 10k & Rob has countless top 3 finishes in the Canada Running Series West events.

Dylan and Rob both also have strong backgrounds in coaching. For the past several years Dylan has been coaching runners of all abilities through his specialized Mile2Marathon training programs. Rob has also been active in the coaching game, having helped guide several athletes to PB’s in all different events. Be it those looking to complete their first 10km, to others racing the Boston Marathon, Dylan and Rob have the experience to make it happen.

The Eastside 10k Clinic is designed to help athletes take their 10k training and racing to a new level. Prior distance running and racing experience is recommended for athletes to be able to take full advantage of what the clinic has to offer. Athletes should be running 3 times per week (or more) and have completed a 5k in 30 minutes or faster.

In addition to receiving a 10-week training plan tailored towards your specific goals, we will also provide in-person guidance at two weekly group workouts (time and location TBD). These workouts will teach you the why’s and how’s of proper 10km training. We will lead athletes through various types of workouts, including tempo runs, interval workouts and fartleks. All of this will culminate on September 17th as you toe the line at the Vancouver Eastside 10k, confident and ready to smash your PB!

Start Date: July 11, 2016
Cost: $100
What’s included: 10-week training plan tailored to your goals & 2 weekly practices for 10 weeks. 20% discount code for your Eastside 10k race entry.
Times & Locations: Tuesday evenings @ 6pm – Location TBD, Saturday mornings @ 8am – Pt. Grey Secondary School Track
Goal: Eastside 10k
Pre-Reqs: ~30 minutes for 5km.
Coaches: Rob Watson & Dylan Wykes of Mile2Marathon Coaching

To register, contact Mile2Marathon coaching at info@mile2marathon.com

More info on the 10 Week Clinic | More info on the Eastside 10k Race

Jun 28 2016

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Scotiabank Charity Challenge raises over $50 million for local Canadian communities

By Damien | Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal et 5k, Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Runners at 6 marathons across the country set the pace for giving back to the community

TORONTO, ON – (Marketwired – June 24, 2016)

Since 2003, participants at six Scotiabank-sponsored road races from coast to coast have made every step of their run count, raising more than $50 million for local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This turnkey fundraising program surpassed the $50 million mark thanks to continued efforts from races in Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa and Calgary so far this year, and in the lead-up to the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5k this weekend.

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge launched in 2003 at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as a way for runners to fundraise to support local charities. Every dollar raised goes directly to the charities. Scotiabank pays for all transaction fees, credit card fees and the cost of the fundraising platform.

Scotiabank proudly hosts a Scotiabank Charity Challenge at each of six sponsored race events across Canada each year including:

For links to Scotiabank’s races and the charities supported by runners at each one, please visit the Scotiabank Marathons’ page.

“On behalf of all of my colleagues at Scotiabank, I want to congratulate all participants who have run in the Scotiabank road races since 2003 and made every step count by signing up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge,” said Kyle McNamara, Executive Vice President and Co-Head Information Technology, Business Systems, and Executive Champion for Marathons at Scotiabank. “We encourage everyone to keep the fundraising going, and to work together to support local charities that have a significant impact on Canadian communities.”

“We launched the Scotiabank Charity Challenge in response to runners who told us that they wanted to make their race more meaningful,” said Jacquie Ryan, Vice President, Sponsorships at Scotiabank. “It has been an honour to witness the commitment and dedication of all participants – both on the course and off – as we have grown this fundraising program together.”

About Scotiabank
Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

Jun 27 2016

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Kip Kangogo runs to victory, marking his fifth win at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

By Damien | Elite Athletes, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Over $860,000 raised at the 2016 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k.

VANCOUVER June 26th 2016 – Over 6,500 people took part in the 18^thannual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k on Sunday, June 26. The event raised more than $860,000 and counting for 81 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This amount is a significant contribution to the $50 million raised nationally in the lifetime of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge since its inception in 2003.

Race day saw momentous victories on a sunny Vancouver morning as runners brought their best to the scenic course, stretching from UBC to Stanley Park. Kenyan-born Kip Kangogo of Lethbridge, Alberta owned today’s race, as he has since his Canadian debut in 2009, leading the men’s pack and winning his fifth Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon in eight years with a time of 01:07:03. Kenya’s Pius Kipsang Korir followed in second place, with Kangogo’s fellow Kenyan Canadian, Willy Kimosop in third for the men’s event.

Romanian born American, Adriana Nelson came to Vancouver looking for a half-marathon win, and led the women’s pack from the beginning. She ran to victory three minutes clear of second place, Lindsay Tessier from Toronto.

“We would like to congratulate all of the runners in the 2016 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k, especially those who participated in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and ran for causes close to their hearts,” said Winnie Leong, Senior Vice President of the BC and Yukon Region at Scotiabank. “This marks a special year for the race here in Vancouver. With the support of the local community, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge reached a fundraising total of $860,000 and counting – helping to take our national fundraising even further past the $50 million national fundraising milestone achieved this past week.”

The race also saw record-breaking moments as Jason Cole and Rand Surbey broke the Guinness World Record for fastest half-marathon pushing a wheelchair. The powerhouse duo had a strong finish in the race and in their fundraising efforts, raising over $15,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. The Scotiabank Charity Challenge also saw a record broken as Cassie and Friends Society raised over $120,000 this year, surpassing the most a charity has raised through the Challenge in Vancouver, annually.

“Today we saw residents of Vancouver and surrounding areas unite in an inspiring way – from talented runners to dedicated supporters cheering on race participants, we witnessed a great deal of athleticism, philanthropy and community spirit,” said Clif Cunningham, Canada Running Series Western Race Director. “With the combination of outstanding running achievements and hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for local charities here in BC, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k Results:

Half-Marathon Results

Half-Marathon Male

1. Kip Kangogo – Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada: 01:07:03

2. Pius Kipsang Korir– Kenya: 01:07:29

3. Willy Kimosop – Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada: 01:08:11

Half-Marathon Female

1. Adriana Nelson – Boulder, Colorado, USA: 01:14:35

2. Lyndsay Tessier – Toronto, Ontario, Canada: 01:17:30

3. Robyn Mildren – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: 01:18:55

5k Results

5k Male

1. Alistair Kealty – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: 17:07

2. Dorian Baysset – Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada: 17:56

3. Samuel Yeung – Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada: 19:28

5k Female

1. Olivia, Willett – Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada: 18:57

2. Carina Blafield – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: 20:12

3. Hannah Ye – Leesburg, Virginia, USA: 20:22

To see a list of charities involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k website.

For more highlights and complete race results, please visit: www.vancouverhalf.com

Twitter Hashtags: #ScotiaHalf and #runScotia

Jun 25 2016

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Canadian Olympians Dominate Toronto Waterfront 10

By Damien | Toronto Waterfront 10 | No Comments

June 25th, 2016 – By Paul Gains.

Three of Canada’s Olympic bound marathoners chose the Toronto Waterfront 10 to test themselves this morning, coming away with confidence boosting performances on a very warm day.

Eric Gillis pushed the pace from the start, leading a pack of five through the first 5km in 14:44, but only his fellow Olympian and Speed River Track Club partner, Reid Coolsaet could hang on. As the temperature soared into the mid 20’s Celsius it was Gillis crossing the line first in 29:23, with Coolsaet just two seconds behind.

An up and coming Speed River runner, Tristin Woodfine, rounded out the top three (29:54) ahead of roughly 6,000 runners in this, the newest Canada Running Series race.

“That’s a decent time for where I am in my buildup, eight weeks out. I have got some good mileage in my legs,” Gillis said afterwards. “It’s a new race, it’s a quick one, so I wanted to get a decent time under my belt.

“It’s a bit muggy, but that’s good to use as training as well. And just good to go through the motions. It was good rooming with Reid again and us both racing. We haven’t done that much since 2012. It’s nice to get out there run with him.”

With the race starting at 7:30am, Gillis and Coolsaet spent the night at a nearby hotel rather than driving in from Guelph. Both very much have Rio on their minds and admitted to racing with lots of high mileage covered in the past few weeks.

“Before (the 2012) London (Olympics) I did not have control of my form,” Gillis revealed. “There were a lot of sore cool downs. I am focused and I am moving a lot better now and I can’t see how it won’t improve my fitness. Even though I am ahead of the game, anything can happen so I have to be on the ball for the whole buildup.”

Coolsaet has been nursing a lower back injury since returning from his winter high altitude training camp in Kenya. Between chiropractic and massage treatments, he ran 200 kilometres last week. In addition, he married his long-time girlfriend, Marie, last weekend.

“I still fit in 33k the morning of my wedding so I am not changing my training at all, “ Coolsaet admitted with a smile. “On Thursday we move into our house, these two or three weeks (distractions) will be heavier than normal. The last six or seven weeks will be 100% focused on running.

“My injury is getting better every week. I am noticing improvement. I am still not quite 100%; I have to hold back all the time in training. I didn’t notice it too much in the race today so that is a really good sign. Now that I have five really good weeks of solid training under my belt, I can see the momentum starting to build now. I am happy where I am.

“I am definitely in marathon mode and not sharp. I didn’t want to back off for this race and take away from Rio. I want to do the best I can in Rio which means training for the marathon. Training for the 10k is a bit different and tapering is a lot different. I am looking for the best result I can get on August 21st not June 25. Today was a good day.”

Krista Duchene, who will represent Canada in the women’s Rio Olympic marathon chased down and caught Vancouver resident Dayna Pidhoresky just before the 8 kilometre mark and opened a gap which she extended to the finish. DuChene, who resides in Brantford, Ontario was pleased with her winning time of 33:50 having run 180 kilometres in the preceding week in preparation for Rio.

“I had absolutely no time goal in mind,” DuChene said. “I knew you had to go under 34 minutes for the prize money but that is never what it’s about for me. It was about racing hard and knowing it’s going to hurt the whole time. And Dayna is fast. I knew she would go out hard and I kept my eye on her. There was that hill before 8k and I thought ‘if I am going to do it I have got to do it now.’ So I made my way towards her and had to pass her strong and then hang on for the last 2k.

“I thought if I have got to be hurting, I can probably run better hurting than she can, because of all my marathon training so far. Speed, I mean I think she is probably faster than me. That hill worked to my advantage today.”

Pidhoresky who had led by five seconds at halfway (16:36) admitted to losing concentration as her rival passed her.

“I knew she was behind me. I felt really comfortable at that point but I think in the second half of the race I was starting to feel the heat a lot,” Pidhoresky said. “It has been a little chilly back home in Vancouver. I didn’t think it was going to be an issue. I sort of felt a little goose-bumpy in the last 4k going up the hill. I think I just had a lapse of mental strength. She sort of gapped me and that gap remained the same.”

Pidhoresky’s time was 34:01 with Cleo Boyd finishing strong for third place in the women’s race (34:19). Catherine Watkins, the 44 year old who represented Canada in the 2015 Pan Am Games, was fourth and won the master’s race. Her time was 35:09. Based in Vancouver, she too found the heat surprising.

Following the race, Toronto Mayor John Tory, MP Peter Fonseca, who ran for Canada in the 1996 Olympic marathon, and Ms. Ana Lelia Beninca Beltrame the Consul General of Brazil paid tribute to the Rio bound trio.

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Jun 16 2016

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Meet the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Pacer Team: Mike Hsiao.

By Damien | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

By Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Pacer, Mike Hsiao.

Volunteering, simply put, is an art. Like any great structure ever built, there is a story of planning, engineering and building, happening behind the scenes that rarely surfaces. My name is Mike Hsiao, and I am the 1 hour, 45 minute Pacer for the 2016 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon, and I am also the team captain of Race Force Athletics and Volunteering Club. Race Force is a non-profit organization that has been volunteering at Canada Running Series (West) events since 2008.

The volunteer process usually begins months before the event. The safety of all participants is a key deciding factor in any volunteer program. For example, with an event such as the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon, where numerous hydration stations are essential, volunteers are needed. Other examples are at key intersections of the course where, along with traffic personnel and police, volunteers are needed to help answer questions and guide runners.

Ensuring volunteers have a positive experience is the next step. The foundations of any successful program include where the volunteers need to be placed, volunteer shift length, and food all need to be taken into consideration. All of these steps happen even before the recruitment of volunteers happen.

Recruitment takes place after all of the key roles have been identified. Budgeting for volunteer food, t-shirts and costs associated with running the program are also taken into consideration. Recruitment itself is an art. After all of the volunteers are recruited, the race day co-ordination is a whole other ball game. In the grand timeline of volunteer coordinating, race day only occupies a small portion in the big picture.There is proverb that says: “For 10 minutes on stage, it takes 10 years of preparation off stage”. We want to create the best experience for the volunteers, to give them valuable skills and a well-rounded experience. So, you may ask, is volunteering worth it?

YES! Not only does supporting an event such as Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon benefit countless people and causes in need across hundreds of charities, it also brings people together and create smiles! So, if you are a runner reading this, be sure to give a volunteer a high-five or a hug when you are out running the 2016 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon, or any other race. If you are a volunteer, chat up your fellow volunteers, and who knows, you may find yourself a new best friend!

Register to run the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon with Mike on Sunday June 26th.Sign up here.

Damien