Step One: Enjoy the Training Journey

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Digital Champion Fiona Burrows feels lucky to live on the west coast, where she can run year round. An avid soccer player since she was nine-years old, and a runner for many years, the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon will be Fiona’s first 21.1k race of this decade! She looks forward to sharing her training journey with the #ScotiaHalf community. Connect with Fiona on Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

Step One: Enjoy the Training Journey. By Fiona Burrows. 

Fiona Blog Post 2VANCOUVER April 22nd 2015. So you’ve decided to do a half marathon, now what?  For starters, pat yourself on the back for making an amazing and empowering decision!  So much of your training journey is a mental challenge more so than a physical one. Trust me, physically you can, and will, do it. And mentally you can too, but for many runners, this is the area they need to focus on.  There will be days when hill training, fartleks or tempo runs will push you to your limit—and that’s a good thing! Tell yourself you can do it and you’ll be amazed at what you will achieve. Think of a positive statement that resonates with you; something that is short, powerful and motivates you to lace up and do the best you can. And don’t be afraid to repeat it many times in your head as you start running up a hill, speed up your pace or run farther than you ever imagined.

One of the best ways to ensure success is to train with others. Consider joining a local running club where others with the same goal gather to share running tips and tricks and train together multiple times per week. A training program, such as the one I’m currently doing at the Running Room, will keep you focused on your goal. You will stay motivated being surrounded by other like-minded individuals and training in a group will also keep you accountable. The celebratory high fives at the end of a long weekend run, the words of encouragement while conquering a grueling hill and sharing the feeling of accomplishment with your running friends is fantastic.  It’s also a great way to make some new friends!

It’s important to enjoy the training journey. It should never feel like a chore.  Always keep your goal in mind. Training is a time to focus on you. It’s a time to be free, to embrace the simplicity of running and be a happier and healthier you. Write down the initial reason/motivator you decided to register for a run and post it on your fridge. The visible reminder will help you strive for that goal.

Fiona Blog Post 2Celebrate the small victories as you train. Some of my most memorable training runs for the 2015 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon have been in monsoon-like weather, while running a distance I haven’t run in months, if not years. It’s those small victories, which you will achieve frequently, that motivate you to keep going and do better. It’s really amazing what you can achieve – don’t be shy and share your happy news! I’ve lost count of how many small victories I’ve had during the past four months but I do know that they helped shape me to be a better, stronger and more confident runner. As for June 28th, I choose to call it the big run day rather than race day. It keeps me grounded and reminds me to enjoy all of the kilometers I’ve ran–on roads, trails, in sunny weather, in rainy weather, in the daytime and at night.

One of my biggest motivators is my friends and family—many of them aren’t even runners but they encourage and support me. I originally thought running a half marathon was a personal and solo experience. But I’m learning that it involves so many others who truly care and embrace it with me. Every kilometer of my half marathon will be dedicated to one of those special people in my life. I know that the greatest part of this journey is what I am discovering about myself and a renewed appreciation of friendships made along the way. So as I pound the pavement along that scenic English Bay route on June 28th and pass each km marker (yes, all 21 of them) I will focus my thoughts on a person that enriched this experience and reminded me that all of this training, sweat and every single stride is so worth it.

I wish you nothing but happy trails during your training and that June 28, 2015 will be a memorable day.

To join Fiona on Sunday June 28th at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k, sign up here! 

Three Time Winner Eric Gills Returns to Banque Scotia 21k De Montreal. By Paul Gains

By | Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal et 5k | No Comments

Scotia21kMtl Eric Finish Line BlogTORONTO April 22nd 2015. Eric Gillis returns to the Banque Scotia 21k De Montreal (April 26) seeking his fourth consecutive victory on the scenic Parc Jean-Drapeau course.

The two time Canadian Olympian will also attempt to make it three for three in this young 2015 season.  Already he has won the Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8k and, this past Sunday, the Toronto Yonge Street 10k. All three races are part of the Canada Running Series.

Gillis was the 2014 Canada Running Series champion and appears a good bet to repeat if he can stay in form.

Success however is not only due to his commitment to training hard at Speed River Track Club but also an uncanny ability to balance family life with his training and competitive schedule.  Gillis, 34, is the father of two young children Heidi, 5, and Luke, seventeen months. His wife Emily is a nurse and recently returned to full time work following maternity leave.

“It is flexible, that’s the biggest thing with kids, and, with my wife Emily back at work now,” he declares. “We have chats the night before or a couple of nights before and get things down on calendars but it is always a very fluid process.

“That is probably the biggest challenge – my ability to plan ahead. But once we do it usually involves getting up just before 7am – the kids might already be up. Emily will get up first with the kids, and then from 7 until 9 it’s breakfast. Then I am taking Heidi my youngest to the bus stop at 8:30am. She’s in junior kindergarten and then it’s taking Luke to daycare after that.”

While Emily heads off to the clinic where she works Gillis heads out for the first of his two daily runs around 9:00 a.m. and after he returns there are breakfast dishes to tackle.

“I am usually pretty flexible through the day,” he offers. “My usual routine is either doing some stretching mobility exercises or even sometimes some core exercises.”

Once a week he also drives to Georgetown, Ontario where he visits an acupuncturist and also has a weekly physiotherapy appointment with Brenda Scott-Thomas, the wife of his long-time coach Dave Scott-Thomas. Then there are the occasional appearances for his sponsor, New Balance which might entail visiting a local high school or a running shoe store.

“Those things I usually book for around noon when I am not running or have children responsibilities,” he adds.

Scotia21kMtl Eric For Blog“Getting in the second run is more challenging right now.  Sometimes I try to get out before 3:30pm when I have to get my daughter off the bus. I also have practice (with Speed River TC) at 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday now so Emily and I will do the trade-off. I will get Heidi off the bus and then leave for practice.”

If it all sounds complicated it’s something the family takes in stride. Gillis is a true family man and enjoys the opportunity to travel together. A year ago, for instance, he and the family took the train to Montreal. His wife and children were at the finish line when he collected the National Half Marathon title that day.

“With all of us staying in one room it’s a little tougher with my little guy older now,” says Gillis. “He’s up through the night whereas last year when he came to Montreal for the 21k it was easier because he slept through the night.”

This week Gillis will travel alone to the competition.

“It’s a little tougher knowing that it’s more work for Emily at home when I am away at a race,” he admits, “so there’s a tradeoff. To go to a road race and you consider it’s a work trip. But it’s also more work with only one parent being home or you have to ask your in laws to come and stay. It’s a tradeoff.”

Between Emily’s salary, his New Balance contract and the money he picks up from road race appearance fees and prize money, the family is able to live comfortably in Guelph, Ontario.

He is a heavy favourite to win on Sunday. Although Quebec athletes are showing promise on the track, none are yet approaching the level required to challenge an athlete of Gillis’ strength. Consequently, he is taking a relaxed approach to the event.

“It’s not the Canadian championships this year so I doubt there will be the same level of competition,” he explains. “I am treating it like a solid half marathon race training Hopefully I run a similar time to years past but I am not looking to run a personal best.”

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For More Information and registration:

http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf/index.htm

 

 

 

Achieving New Standards in Sustainable Events

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments
VANCOUVER – April 21, 2016

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is committed to producing a world-class event that showcases our city and is both socially and environmentally responsible. In 2013, the race became the first event in Canada to obtain a Silver Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport. This year, the event is aiming to better that mark and reach Gold Certification.

Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport formally recognizes significant achievements through the successful completion of socially and environmentally responsible milestones at sporting events. Standards can be achieved in areas ranging from waste management and climate impact to community involvement, health promotion and more.

Some examples of what the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is doing to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the sustainability of the event:

  • Diverting race-related waste from going to landfill — the event obtained a 98% Waste Diversion Rate
  • Purchasing renewable energy credits to offset the impacts of the event expo lighting through Cow Power, which supports the development of anaerobic digestion as an alternative energy source for Canada
  • Collecting and donating all discarded clothing from Start Area to shelter programs in the Downtown Eastside
  • Donating surplus food remaining after the event to local food banks
  • Offering post-event shuttles to reduce two-way trips and car drops
  • Working with youth groups to reduce barriers to participation, including subsidized entry costs for youth and low-income populations
  • Through Green Chair Recycling, offering a recycling service for participants to bring hard-to-recycle items from home, such as batteries and light-bulbs
  • Paying for increased transit service on Race Morning, allowing participants to arrive at UBC by bus
  • Adoption of a sustainable procurement policy, sourcing event supplies and post-race food locally whenever possible
  • Printing marketing materials using biodegradable inks on FSC certified paper
  • Providing Virtual Event Bags as opposed to traditional paper flyer handouts

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is committed to giving back to our community. Working with 79 charities, nearly $1 million dollars was raised at the 2014 event. A recent study also reported that the event generated close to $2 million dollars in local economic activity.

The 2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was also awarded a Silver Certification in sustainability from the Council for Responsible Sport, becoming the second event to achieve this title in Canada. Both races are part of the prestigious Canada Running Series.

We encourage all participants to help us “run green” by getting to and from the event in a sustainable way — by foot, by bike, by transit, or carpooling. Please only take what you need in terms of finish line food and cups at water stations. Make sure to use the provided recycling stations at the finish area and at water stations, leaving no garbage behind on course.

Register online

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k:
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (SVHM) is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver’s premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 7,000 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and spectators to the city. The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k takes place on Sunday, June 28th starting at 7:30am for the Half-Marathon and 9:30am for the 5k. Register today at www.vancouverhalf.com.

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada’s most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Opening My Heart to Boston

By | Community Leaders, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

By CRS Community Leader Jodi Lewchuk

Jodi CRS Gear“Let it give your feet wings,” she said, and smiled.

In desperation, with about a month left in my training schedule for my first Boston Marathon, I was sitting across from someone I hoped could help me release the load I was carrying in my heart. It was weighing me down.

I mean that figuratively, of course, but as I entered the final days of preparation for the Holy Grail of marathons for endurance runners, I knew something wasn’t right. Something was holding me back. Running itself had told me so.

Oh, sure. Toronto has just experienced its coldest winter on record, which made for some of the most challenging training I’ve done in the three years since I’ve taken up distance running seriously. But I’ve run in frigid weather conditions before, and it didn’t slow me. In fact, it had made me stronger and faster. This time, something was different. Something was off. Something was wrong.

My coach had put together a plan for Boston that would stretch me in ways I hadn’t been stretched before, but nothing she asked me to do was beyond my potential. The time goal we set for the 20 April 2015 race was tough. But it wasn’t impossible. And yet the harder I worked to fulfill that potential, the farther away the target seemed. I was defeated by tempo runs. My finishing kick was often nowhere to be found. Worst of all, on Sunday long runs, which I usually look forward to, I would be labouring along, feeling like I was giving everything I had, only to look down at my watch and see a pace time that was at least 30 to 40 seconds slower than my usual “autopilot” speed.

Running, which for so long had been my place of refuge and strength and achievement, suddenly felt like the enemy.

For anyone not familiar with my story, I took up distance running after the end of a long-term relationship. I ran my way back to myself during that time, and discovered running was the perfect metaphor for life: both joy and pain are temporary, and if you keep running, keep pushing, keep believing, you always end up somewhere – often a place better than you ever imagined. I qualified for Boston in my first marathon the year I turned 40, and I saw my race times improve each and every time I toed the line. Running became my wellspring of confidence.

And so it shook me in a very deep place when that confidence was stripped away as I battled each and every workout on the road to Boston. I thought about scaling back my time goal. I thought about not going to Boston at all. I thought about quitting running altogether.

It took time, but I eventually realized that running Jodie's Shoeshadn’t turned on me. It wasn’t trying to trip me up. Running was trying to tell me something. Running was trying to save me.

When you are the fittest you’ve ever been and there’s no medical reason for running slower than you did when you first started, it’s time to look elsewhere for answers. It’s time to look within.

If you ask me what my biggest strength is as a runner, I’ll tell you it’s my heart. There’s no doubt that I’ve conditioned my body to be lean and strong. I’ve also got an iron will. But I truly believe it’s my heart that propels me. It’s big and it’s deep, and when it decides to open to something — or someone — it does so wholly and fully and unabashedly. It flings open with abandon.

I can’t imagine living my life any other way; facing each day with such an open heart brings great rewards. It can also bring great heartache. And that’s precisely where I found myself as I entered the homestretch of my training for the 2015 Boston Marathon: bogged down in a heavy heart that was dragging my mind, and my legs, down with it.

Thus my plea to the person I entrusted with helping me release my burden. I told her I would do whatever was needed to leave it behind and move on. Her advice took me by surprise.

“Why would you want to leave something so special behind?” she asked me. “Wouldn’t it be better to find a place where its magic can always exist within you, inspire you, and open other doors? It doesn’t have to be a weight. Open your heart to it, and let it give your feet wings.”

It’s amazing what a different perspective will do. Carrying a memory wasn’t a problem; I just needed to carry the right parts of it in the right way.

The difference in my running was almost immediate. It’s like my legs woke up. I watched my pace times speed up run by run. I hadn’t left anything behind, and yet I felt lighter. I nailed my first tempo run. Going long started to feel fun again. And for the first time in the training cycle, I began to feel genuine excitement about lining up in Hopkinton for the race into downtown Boston.

All it took was someone to remind me of my own motto: “Head up. Heart open. Run.” Sometimes we say things and forget what they truly mean. But on the morning of the 119th Boston Marathon, I will open my heart with purpose. I will be grateful for everything that got me to the most legendary marathon there is — joy, tears, elation, pain, hills, valleys. I will be grateful to carry a memory that reminds me what it feels like to soar. I will fling my heart wide open and I will run where it leads me, fast or slow or somewhere in between, to Boylston Street and beyond.

It will be magic.

WAVAW – Eliminate the Wait

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Uncategorised | No Comments
Vancouver – April 20, 2015

This year Women Against Violence Against Women Rape Crisis Centre, WAVAW is running/walking to #EliminateTheWait, because no women should have to wait for counselling after being sexually assaulted. It’s appalling that the demand for sexual assault support services in our community exceeds the resources available:  currently, there is a 1.5 year waiting list for women to access WAVAW’s free one-to-one counselling.  A woman is sexually assaulted every 17 minutes in Canada, WAVAW is working harder than ever to raise money to fulfill the huge need for support services in our community—and to challenge the culture of violence that contributes to such shocking rates of sexual assault.

To put it in perspective, our waitlist is comprised of women in the following age brackets:

19yrs: 7 women                20-25: 44 women             26-29: 23 women

30-39: 49 women             40-49: 33 women             50-59: 10 women

60-70: 5 women

Counselling services at WAVAW include individual and group counselling for self-identified women who have experienced sexualized violence.  Our counsellors work within a feminist perspective with anti-oppression analysis. Our goal is to support women and understand the impact of violence in all aspect of their lives as well as acknowledge their strength and resilience to continue in their journey from trauma to strength and healing.

We currently have three support groups:

  • Women Connect is a monthly drop in group for women on our waitlist.  The group offers the space, time, and opportunity for women to connect with each other, have conversation that will expand their understanding of the impact of trauma in their lives.
  • Visioning Safety is a 4 week group using psycho-educational tools to focus on understating the impact of violence, containment strategies, resistance, self-care and exercises for grounding.
  • Recharging Support Group is an 8 week group with a focus on empowerment and reconnections.  This is a self-awareness and empowerment group that focuses on rebuilding and reconnect with self and life and recharging.

All of the money raised will help maintain and expand WAVAW’s counselling services to girls and  women who have survived sexual assault.  For over 30 years, WAVAW has been providing a wide range of direct services—including counselling, 24-hour crisis line support, accompanying women to the hospital, court and police station—while also addressing the root causes of violence through public education.

On June 28th WAVAW: Women Against Violence Against Women Against Women Rape Crisis Centre will participate in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k Run/Walk as a featured charity to bring awareness and education about sexual assault. Join the team or discovery other ways you can help here.

west-04-21-15-wavaw-wide2

Marchant And Gillis Take Toronto Yonge Street 10K Honours. By Paul Gains

By | Toronto Yonge Street 10K | No Comments
TYS10K Lanni Winner

Lanni Marchant breaks the tape in 31:49

TORONTO April 19th 2015. Despite a very strong headwind and cool temperatures for most of the race Lanni Marchant narrowly missed the course record at the Toronto Yonge Street 10k this morning.

The 30 year old resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee crossed the finish line in a time of 31:49,  just seven seconds off Florence Jepkoskei’s 2007 record time. It was her second victory in three years at this Canada Running Series race.

Marchant, who famously beat the Canadian women’s marathon record at the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (2:28:00), was all smiles as she greeted well wishers after the race. Missing the record didn’t disappoint her in the least.

“I am really happy with how I ran today,” she said. “I have been really focusing more on the 10,000m stuff for the track.  With the wind and conditions today I was happy to dip under (my P.B. on this course). I think I was 31:58 two years ago so I was a bit quicker than that this year so I will take it.”

From 3 kilometres on Marchant, who is originally from London, Ontario, was alone in the women’s race her chief rival, Tarah Korir, dropping back around that point. Korir, the 2012 Toronto Yonge Street 10k winner, spends most of the year in Cherangany, Kenya where her husband Wesley is a Member of Parliament. Marchant trained in Kenya during the winter and spent a lot of time with her friend and rival.

“I have known Tarah for years and we trained together in Kenya,” Marchant explained. “We did a lot of workouts in Kenya. She really made me work hard over there and she really made me work hard at the start of the race today.

“I never line up expecting to win or be the favourite.  I never want to doubt another girl’s fitness. I know how quickly I came on the scene so I never doubt how quickly another girl is going to do the same thing.”

Korir finished second in a time of 32:57 and soon after joined her parents at the Kenyan Kids Foundation table in the post race area. This is the charity she and Wesley started to help educate young Kenyan children. Although shivering in the cold wind she was pleased with her performance today.

“I started out with (Lanni) but then I felt like that pace was a bit too quick to maintain so I dropped back a little bit,” she revealed. “It was maybe 3 or 4k before I felt I was able to maintain a pace. I was able to pass runners.

“It was a lot better than a year ago. I was hoping to run a little faster but it was a decent race. I just want to continue improving from here.”

Marchant heads back to her latest high altitude training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona this evening where she will prepare for a pair of important track meets.

“I have been training in Flagstaff the last couple of weeks,” the London, Ontario native said. “I will head back there tonight then I head to California to do the Payton Jordan 10,000m on the track and try and get under 32 minutes for the IAAF world championships standard. Then I will be in Ottawa for the national 10k championships.

“I am going to do the Pan Am Games marathon so I will be back in Toronto for that. I can’t do two marathons in one summer and I really want to go to the IAAF world championships, so I have to become a 10k runner to do so.”

Eric Gillis crosses the finish line in 29:16

Eric Gillis crosses the finish line in 29:16

Two time Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis accomplished his goal of winning the men’s race albeit in a time reflective of the windy conditions. That time of 29:16 is more than a minute slower than his best on this course. He surged with 3 kilometres remaining in the race and earned a gap on Matt Loiselle which he held to the finish. Loiselle took second in 29:35 with the surprising Lamont Marshall finishing 3rd in 29:50.

“I wasn’t feeling that great this week,” Gillis revealed. “Some hip issues, so I played it conservative. Crazy wind out there all the way down Yonge Street. It didn’t feel as fast as normal on that course. But then things kind of clicked when I picked it up with 3k to go. I am a little sore now but I will get some therapy and I will be good to go.”

“I had Matt (alongside) until 7k and he did a bunch of the leading. Matt did a ton of the work. Just before 7k I knew we were going to make a turn and I was hoping the wind wasn’t going to be in our face and it wasn’t.  I just kept up the tempo from there, tried to feel good. I was feeling like if it was more than a 10k I could keep the rhythm going. I am pleased with the win and glad to get this one in.”

Loiselle had started the race wearing a hat but a gust of wind blew it off barely two hundred metres down the road. After losing the better part of two years rehabilitating from injuries he was pleased to make it to the starting line and test himself against Gillis. Two weeks ago the pair had raced at Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8k with the Olympian prevailing by 22 seconds.

“I am satisfied, I guess,” Loiselle, a 30 year old Athletics Toronto member, said. “Usually we have the wind coming from the north and, of course, today it was coming from the south.

“Originally I wanted to kind of push the pace and take it out from the gun. I tried anyway, maybe got a little bit of a gap at about 3k but Eric caught up to me. We stayed together until around 7k and he made a pretty good surge and I couldn’t react. Overall I am definitely happy with the effort. It was a better race than two weeks ago. Each week is getting a little bit better.”

Another notable performance today was the third place finish of Lioudmila Kortchaguina in a time of 33:44.  The Russian born Canadian, who represented Canada in the 2007 IAAF World Championships marathon, is now 43 years of age.

TYS10K Red Door Family Shelter

Race Director Alan Brookes, Councillor Michelle Beradinetti, and Red Door Family Shelter Executive Director Bernitta Hawkins

There were so many winners today including Red Door Family Shelter who went home with $12,700 to fund their Children’s Programs and Sick Kids Hospital who benefited from the fundraising efforts of the Justice League Runners. Toronto 2015 mascot PACHI joined the celebrations at the finish line as the star of many runners’ photo selfies during a special day for Toronto!

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For Race Results: Toronto10k.ca 

Charities Stand To Gain In Toronto Yonge Street 10k Run. By Paul Gains

By | Toronto Yonge Street 10K | No Comments

TORONTO April 15th 2015. In excess of $6 million was raised through the 2014 Canada Running Series with hundreds of local charities benefiting from the philanthropic nature, not to mention the blood, sweat and tears of thousands of runners.

This year appears to be headed towards even greater success.

Up next in the eight race series is the Toronto Yonge Street 10k (April 19th), an event which has attracted, amongst others, two time Olympian Eric Gillis and Canadian Women’s Marathon Record Holder, Lanni Marchant.

Red Door Family ShelterRed Door Family Shelter was chosen as the ‘official charity’ of this year’s event which makes sense when one considers they have been involved with the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon fundraising for the past five years.

Their two shelters provide both short term and long-term housing for victims of domestic violence, housing crises, as well as refugees from other countries, and has a combined total of 156 beds. Serendipitous perhaps, but they are located near the 37km mark of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, the Series’ flagship event.

“Some people come to us for one night,” explains Kathryn McKechnie, Red Door’s Fund Development Manager, “especially if it’s a domestic violence situation. They might come to us for one night but they might come a couple of times before they finally leave. But people can stay with us for as long as they need to.

“The average time is about three months, but people can stay for up to a year if their situation is complicated. Sometimes people, when they come to us, have no belongings, they have no access to their money, they have no job, nowhere to live.  They might want to get custody of their children and so we work through everything with them before they leave so that, when they do leave, they are not at risk of becoming homeless again.”

McKechnie says the shelters have been operating for thirty years and on any given night half the beds in the family shelter are filled by children. The association with the Toronto Yonge Street 10k is something she sees as very positive.

“We have about 100 staff altogether,” she reveals. “For the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon we have a regular group of between five and ten staff people, as well as a couple of board members and committee members, who ran the half marathon last year. That number has grown over time. So it was a great opportunity.”

While Red Door is the official charity runners Tarah and Wesley Korircan expect to see many other charities at the family area after the race is completed.  One of them is Kenyan Kids Foundation which received official charity status in Canada at the end of 2014. The founders are Wesley Korir, the 2012 Boston Marathon winner from Kenya and his wife, Tarah McKay-Korir, a native of St. Clement, Ontario, who is scheduled to race this year’s 10k. Three years ago she was the race winner.

Spending most of the year in Kenya where Wesley is now a Member of Parliament for Cherangany district, Tarah will challenge her friend and sometime training partner, Lanni Marchant who was in Kenya for several weeks this past winter.

“If I compare my training to 2012, well, I was training with Lanni a lot in Kenya,” Korir declares. “I wasn’t doing anywhere near the mileage (in 2012) I am doing now. I increased it. I am definitely in better shape than I was last year and hopefully my workouts have been showing that I am at least in ‘almost the best shape’ I have ever been in.”

Following the race Korir, victorious or not, will meet runners at the Kenyan Kids Foundation table.

“The key phrase and mission statement of the Canadian foundation is ’empowering families is equal to thriving communities.’“ Korir explains.

“Most of the residents of Cherangany are farmers, a lot of them are corn farmers. That allows them to get money once a year,” she explains. “They grow corn all year but often struggle to get money for their bags of corn.  The good thing about dairy farming is that it provides a daily income. So the Canadian foundation is trying to, first of all, bring the farmers together in a cooperative. If they sell the milk together they have more bargaining power.”

Korir says a large part of their involvement with the constituents is educating them in efficient farming techniques.  Two of the Canadian Kenyan Kids Foundation board members, who happen to be farmers from Southern Ontario, are presently in Kenya as part of this initiative.

PACHI at CN TowerThe Toronto Yonge Street 10k is also the only running event in the city to host the IGNITE Toronto 2015 Community Tour an initiative of the 2015 Pan Am Games organization. That too is a natural fit for the event since the Canada Running Series full time staff will handle logistics of the Pan Am Games marathon races in July.

Spectators and runners are invited to join in the post-race celebrations with Pachi, the Toronto 2015 mascot, and Mississauga Indie rockers Daylight for Deadeyes, while having the opportunity to explore the work that both Red Door Shelter and Kenyan Kids Foundations do.

As a matter of fact, there’s still time to support Red Door Family Shelter’s programs for children who are healing from the effects of homelessness and abuse. Make a donation today! https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/team-red-door-toronto-yonge-st-10k-2015/

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For entry and spectator information:

www.toronto10k.ca

How To Make The Perfect TYS10K Playlist

By | Digital Champions, Toronto Yonge Street 10K | No Comments

Digital Champion Jess Collins began running as a way to complement her strength training workouts.  In 2011, she decided to challenge herself to run the Terry Fox Run (something she’d long wanted to do) as she was getting over a breakup, in order to focus her energy on a positive goal and raise money to fight cancer. She got hooked on running, and completed her first timed 10K race in March 2012. Jess’ most memorable running accomplishment was her first marathon in October 2014, at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. When she’s not running, you can find Jess baking (a lot!) and brewing beer! Connect with Jess on Twitter and Instagram.

The Making of a TYS10K Playlist. By Jess Collins. 

TORONTO April 13th 2015.

“The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up is hard to do. It takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick it off with a killer to grab attention. Then you gotta take it up a notch. But you don’t want to blow it. So then you gotta cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.” – Rob Gordon, High Fidelity

TYS10K Blog Jess Collins 2Running with music isn’t for everyone – most elite runners don’t race with music, and especially in a race scenario, it’s important to be able to hear announcements and your fellow runners. If you’re going to listen to music while racing, keep the volume low enough that you’re aware of what’s going on around you. That being said, I love listening to music during a race.

Preparing a playlist for each race is an essential part of my mental preparation. It gets me excited about the race and gives me something concrete to focus on while “relaxing” the night before, once all the training and other preparations are complete, aside from trying to get a good sleep!

Working on a playlist is a great opportunity to visualize the whole race. What songs will re-energize you when you’re tired, or just keep you at a steady pace? Plan your race in your head and think about what songs you might want to hear, at which points in the race.

My Tips for a Terrific Race Playlist:

  • Make a playlist that’s about a song or two longer than your expected time – that way, you won’t run out of music, and you can skip a song if you’re not feeling it during the race.
  • Keep it fresh – make sure to mix in some songs you haven’t listened to a thousand times on training runs.
  • However, make sure you have your favourites! If you have a killer “power song” that works for you, make sure it’s included! (“Wildcat” by Ratatat and “Rattlesnake” by St. Vincent both make me feel both fast, with some running “swagger.”)
  • If you’ve got guilty pleasure songs that motivate you, include them!
  • Start with a big uplifting song that gets you pumped up for the race. There are few moments like being at the top of the hill at Yonge and Eglinton, surrounded by other runners, during Toronto Yonge Street 10K!
  • Then, just like Rob Gordon’s mixtape-making advice, bring it down with a slightly more relaxed song or two. Your adrenaline will be high, and you need to check in with yourself to make sure you save some energy for later in the race.
  • If you’re expecting to need an extra push towards the end, stack the last third of your playlist with those fave songs that’ll give you a boost. (One of my personal traditions is to finish to “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem.)

Your playlist doesn’t need to impress others – you want something that will entertain and motivate you during the race. It’s your playlist, and it’s your Toronto Yonge Street 10K – make both of them your personal best!

TYS10K Blog Jess Collins

PACHI, Toronto 2015 Community Tour to star at Toronto Yonge Street 10K, April 19

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Ignite ImageCanada Running Series Foundation partners with the TO2015 IGNITE Program to Inspire its Community to Ignite the Spirit of the Games Through a Celebration of Sport and Culture

TORONTO, ON. April 10, 2015.  The Canada Running Series Foundation is excited to announce its new partnership with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games through the IGNITE program, which enables individuals, organizations and communities to create their own special Games-themed initiative and/or increase awareness of existing projects through an association with the Games.

The partnership will see Toronto 2015 mascot PACHI star at PACHI at CN Towerthe Toronto Yonge Street 10k in support of Red Door Family Shelter, next Sunday, April 19, together with a supporting cast of the Toronto 2015 Community Tour.  More than 6,000 runners and walkers are expected to dash down Canada’s most famous Street from Eglinton to Historic Fort York, led by Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis and National Marathon record-holder Lanni Marchant who is expected to be one of the favourites in the Pam Am Women’s Marathon on July 18th. Canada Running Series will also be organizing the Women’s and Men’s Marathons at the Games. PACHI and the IGNITE Toronto 2015 Community Tour team will be waiting to greet the finishers in the post-race party area, complete with high-fives, all the information you need to connect with this summer’s sporting extravaganza, inflatable interactive sport activities, interactive photo cut-outs and SWAG! If that’s not enough, there will be extensive “selfie” photo opps with PACHI, between 9:40am and 10:25am, and during the Awards Ceremony from 10:45am to 11:30am. Councillors Christin Carmichael-Greb and Paula Fletcher will also be on hand to join in the celebrations.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Toronto 2015 IGNITE program,” said Canada Running Series Race Director Alan Brookes. “The visit of PACHI and the Toronto 2015 Community Tour is an outstanding opportunity for Toronto’s running community to get up close and personal with the Games – to run, meet and mingle with the likes of Lanni and Eric, then make plans to follow them to the Games – to get excited and IGNITED!”

IGNITE has already connected more than 450 individuals and organizations to the TORONTO 2015 Games throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. IGNITE is about leaving a social legacy behind after the Games.

“It’s great to see the IGNITE program in action,” said TO2015 Chief Executive Officer Saäd Rafi, “These are the Peoples’ Games and we want to see entire communities involved in our celebration of sport and culture. We couldn’t be more pleased with this new partnership as it will help us make that happen.”

For entry and further information on Toronto Yonge Street 10k see www.toronto10k.ca.Online registration closes midnight on Monday April 13th.

About TO2015

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world’s best athletes and artists to the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org

About Canada Running Series Foundation. Formed in 2011 as a charitable foundation to support the community and charity initiatives at Canada’s premier road running series, CRSF has a mission to promote healthy, sustainable communities, and healthy lifestyles through running, especially amongst children. Together, the Series and CRSF raise more than $6 million a year for important community initiatives.

 

Featured Charity – Music Heals

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What Is Music Heals?

The Music Heals Charitable Foundation raises awareness and fundraises for music therapy across Canada. Their mission is to increase patient access to music therapy for children, seniors, palliative care, burn units, bereavement, rehabilitation and more. Music Heals donated $250,000 to music therapy programs in Canada in their first two years.

Read more about Music Heals here.

If you HAVE NOT registered for the race, click here to register for the race and to fundraise in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

 

If you have already registered for the Race (Half Marathon or 5k), click here to create a fundraising account.