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May 30 2023
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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.

 

May 09 2023
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Joint supplements as a chiro and running coach with collagen (Bone and Joint) and adult supplements

By | General, Nutrition | No Comments

Let’s be honest, injuries suck! No one likes to get injured, but the stats are clear, 50% of runners will experience an injury in a given year (Bramah, 2018).   Injuries are multifactorial, meaning that there are many root causes.  The main reason injuries happen is because the load has exceeded our bodies capacity to adapt. SO if there was something you could do to help prevent injuries from occurring, wouldn’t you want to?

Let’s also break down running. Running is jumping from one foot to the other with about 2.5-6x your body weight of force with each step, with about ~1000 steps PER kilometer!  When we break it down, it is obvious why we should try to keep our bones and joints healthy.

Here are some injury prevention tips that you can include in your training plan:

  • Strength training is one way to keep running strong.
  • It is important to keep in mind that every run has a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is to be easy and recover.  It is important to not overdo it on these easy days as it can overload the body so it cannot recover.
  • Optimizing your running gait has also been shown to improve your injury risk (Chan, 2017).
  • It is also important to fuel appropriately for the training demands.

Common running injuries include muscle strains, tendinopathy and joint related injuries. Most commonly injured areas are knee, foot and lower leg (Bramah, 2018). So it becomes important to make sure we are doing everything we can do to support the above tissues.

Collagen can be a great addition to a runner’s routine in order to help with these common ailments.  In a 2022 study collagen was found to promote connective tissue recovery, decrease pain,  improve strength and body composition (Kviatkovsky).  Another 2022 study found collagen had promising benefits for the treatment and prevention of tendinopathy (Hijlkema). As we age, the collagen we produce decreases, so supplementation can be a great way to get what we need.

There are three types of collagen:

Type 2– joints and cartilage

Type 1 & 3– muscle tendon, skin, hair

It is important to make sure you are taking the correct collagen for the benefit you want.

If you want to try adding this to your routine, be sure to consult a healthcare practitioner and also be aware that noticeable results may take up to six months.

Another common injury is bone stress injuries such as stress reactions and fractures.  It is important that runners keep their bones strong.  Our bone mineral density is at its peak at age 25.  As we age and accumulate miles on the pavement, it can be helpful to have supplements to promote strong bones.

Running is catabolic, meaning it breaks tissues down, and so if you are doing a lot of it, it can be detrimental to bone health.  Taking things such as bone broth and vitamin D can help to keep the bones strong for the long run.  It is also vital you are consuming enough calories for the output.

Lastly, sleep is hugely important when it comes to injuries and injury prevention. We recover when we sleep, so if you are not sleeping optimally, you are not recovering optimally.  Magnesium can be a great addition to your sleep routine while also helping to decrease muscle cramping.

When it comes to running, injuries are common, but there is a lot that can be done with supplementation to help prevent and minimize these potential setbacks!

References:

Bramah et al., 2018. Is there a pathological gait associated with common soft tissue injuries?  The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Chan et al., (2017). Gait Retraining for the Reduction of Injury Occurrence in Novice Distance Runners: 1-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Hijlkema et al., 2022. The impact of nutrition on tendon health and tendinopathy: a systematic review.  Journal of the international Society of Sports Nutrition.

Kviatkovsky et al., 2022. Collagen peptide supplementation for pain and function: is it effective.  Nutrition & physiological function.

Stacy sims blog

Bio: Dr. Brittany Moran

Dr. Brittany Moran is a Toronto based chiropractor, run coach & runner.  She works at The Runner’s Academy as a chiropractor and is the founder and head coach of StrideWise Running. In her spare time, Brittany trains for marathons at a sub elite level with a personal best of 2:33.

Instagram: @torunningchiro / @stridewiserunning / @therunnersacademy

Dec 15 2021
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Our Top Moments of 2021

By | General | No Comments

As this year comes to a close, we wanted to share some of moments and accomplishments that have inspired us in 2021. Undoubtedly, getting back to in-person racing with the Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K was a huge turning point for all of us and we can’t wait to build on that momentum in 2022. Virtual races continued to dominate and served as an anchor to keep us connected, with over 21,000 participants lacing up and completing their races close to home. We had an outstanding year in fundraising and we renewed our committment to working with underrepresented and marginalized communities which resulted in the creation of some exciting, new, accessible events we can’t wait to reveal.

Thank you for your continued support of Canada Running Series! We can’t wait to share what we have in store for 2022, including an epic announcement about a new title partner and new athletic partner for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a beat. We hope you enjoy our top moments of 2021!

5000 runners joined us for a 10K race along the lakeshore to celebrate a return to in-person racing! Whether you were running, cheering or watching from home, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K on Sunday October 17th was more than a race, it was a celebration of the joy of coming together to achieve a common goal. Whether you were running your first 10K, going for a personal best, or cheering from the sidelines, the collective energy and enthusiasm you created is carrying us into an exciting 2022 race season

You helped 260 charities continue their important work in the community. Although the past 2 years have been challenging for all of us, your generosity and commitment to fundraising have remained steadfast. This year, through the incredible fundraising efforts and generous donations of many people around the globe, you’ve raised over $4.8 million for 260 local charities across 11 virtual and in-person events. These contributions have been vital for charities to be able to continue supporting their communities and those most in need. Thank you for inspiring us and allowing us to be a part of this journey.

We got to cheer on so many of our Canada Running Series stars and friends during Tokyo 2020! Our vision has always been to provide races for everyone, from Olympians to recreational runners. This summer we were inspired by the performances of so many of our friends at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, including Trevor Hofbauer and Dayna Pidhoresky, who qualified for Tokyo 2020 at the 2019 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon!

We strengthened our commitment to the communities we run through. In 2021, we started working with community groups to understand how we can contribute to positive change. We made a commitment to reflect diversity in running in our imagery and copy as well as in our Ambassador team. In consultation with communities that have been historically underrepresented, we hosted panels to create space for marginalized voices and offered 1% of race entries to BIPOC runners. Moving into 2022, stay tuned for continued commitments and more exciting and accessible community events.

Our friends did some pretty amazing things! Our ambassadors inspired us all year long. Ambassador Bernard celebrated his 42nd birthday by running a marathon every week for 42 weeks. He brought the community together during a time when we needed it. Quinton created Escape to Chicago and brought awareness to some amazing community charities, while also running to Chicago. Anthony (and so many of you) raced his first-ever in-person race during the Waterfront 10K! Melanie created an online forum for Black Runners of the GTA and created a space offline for people to come together. The Everyday Fit Social Club team took on the TTC challenge over one night by each racing a line and meeting at Union Station. We’re lucky to be surrounded by such inspiring people!

We also asked our community members to share their favourite moments of 2021 and here’s what they had to say:

“Seeing all the happy faces of the runners and volunteers at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K.”

“Watching Leslie Sexton win the 10K Championships.”

“Running to every station during the TTC Challenge. It was a great way to connect with our city.”

“Crossing the finish line of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon 10K and having “The Comeback” by Zac Brown Band playing in my ears.”

“Running through the trails with my grandson.”

“Running the virtual Under Armour Eastside 10K on the East Coast Atlantic View Trail.”

Happy holidays from everyone at Canada Running Series. We can’t wait to make new memories with you in 2022!

May 05 2020
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Update on the Status of Canada Running Series Events

By | General | No Comments

*Last Updated: Thursday June 25, 2020

Under Armour Spring Run-Off 8K, 5K & Kids Run

Virtual Race – May 4th – July 1st, 2020
Status: OPEN for registration

In-Person Race – Postponed to November 7th, 2020
Status: Registration opening soon

Banque Scotia 21K de Montréal 10K, 5K, & Kids Run

Virtual Race – May 25th – August 31st, 2020
Status: OPEN for registration

In-Person Race
Status: Cancelled for 2020

Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Virtual Race – June 29th – September 18th, 2020
Status: OPEN for registration

In-Person Race
Status: Cancelled for 2020

lululemon Toronto 10K & lululemon Edmonton 10K

In-Person Races
Status: Cancelled for 2020

Oasis ZooRun 10K, 5K & Cub Run 

In-Person Race
Status: Cancelled for 2020

Virtual Race
Status: Registration opens July 7th, 2020

Under Armour Vancouver Eastside 10K

In-Person Race
Status: Cancelled for 2020

Virtual Race
Status: Registration opens July 7th, 2020

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

In-Person Race: Sunday October 18th, 2020
Status: Registration paused.
Read our latest update here. 

 

Mar 13 2020
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Statement on COVID-19 from Canada Running Series

By | General | No Comments

March 13, 2020.

Dear friends and fellow runners:

Please know that the safety and well-being of our participants, volunteers, event staff, spectators, families and the community at large is always our top priority. As we prepare the 2020 Canada Running Series season, we’re closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), provincial and municipal health authorities to follow and implement measures dictated by them. Our executive team is meeting daily to review the latest information and will continue to take appropriate actions on an event-by-event basis, following the decisions made by these respective authorities and agencies.

Although PHAC assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low in all 4 cities where we stage events, especially for outdoor events, we are not comfortable we can deliver our April events at an acceptable level of safety. Our team has been working relentlessly to adopt measures outlined in PHAC’s document “Risk informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak” and will continue to do so as we learn more every day.

With that said, we have decided to postpone the Under Armour Spring Run Off (April 4) and Banque Scotia 21K de Montréal (April 25 &26). We are pursuing options with our sponsors, suppliers and with the City of Toronto Parks and Parc Jean Drapeau in Montréal to determine alternate dates later in the year. We expect to have details on the postponement of these two events early next week.

At present, we are continuing to plan for our summer and autumn events as scheduled, but will continue to keep you informed on our blog page if this situation changes, on a race-by-race basis. 

Our team will continue to review the latest information from PHAC, provincial and city agencies to reassess the public health risk, based on the best available evidence as the situation evolves.

Many thanks for your understanding and support as a community during this extremely difficult time.

In the meantime, please review recommendations on how to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses and to consider while running:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the garbage.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Clear your nose away from fellow runners.
  • Dispose of your drink cup, gel packs, and other personal items in the proper receptacle.
  • It is still recommended to get your flu shot if you haven’t already as the flu virus is still circulating in the community.

You can find more information at:

Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak – Canada.ca

 

 

Déclaration de la Canada Running Series par rapport à la COVID-19

Le 13 mars 2020

Chers amis et coureurs :

Sachez que la sécurité et le bien-être de nos participants, bénévoles, membres du personnel, spectateurs, familles et la communauté dans son ensemble restent toujours notre priorité absolue. Alors que nous préparons la saison 2020 de la Canada Running Series, nous suivons de près la situation reliée à la COVID-19 avec l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada (ASPC), et les autorités provinciales et municipales de la santé pour suivre et mettre en œuvre toute mesure qu’elles imposeront. L’équipe de direction tient des réunions quotidiennes pour revoir les plus récentes informations et continuera de prendre les mesures appropriées selon les besoins de chaque évènement, respectant les décisions prises par lesdites autorités et organismes.

Bien que l’ASPC ait évalué le risque à la santé publique associé à la COVID-19 comme étant faible dans les 4 villes où nous organisons des évènements, tout particulièrement dans le cas d’évènements tenus à l’extérieur, nous ne sentons pas que nous puissions livrer nos évènements du mois d’avril à un niveau acceptable de sécurité. Notre équipe travaille sans relâche pour se conformer aux mesures énoncées dans le document « Rassemblements de masse pendant l’éclosion mondiale du COVID-19 : Comment prendre des décisions éclairées en fonction des risques » et continuera à ce faire selon les nouvelles informations obtenues chaque jour.

Cela dit, nous avons décidé de reporter le Under Armour Spring Run Off (le 4 avril) et le 21K de Montréal de la Banque Scotia (les 25 et 26 avril). Nous suivons parallèlement plusieurs options avec nos commanditaires, nos fournisseurs et avec le City of Toronto Parks de même que le Parc Jean Drapeau à Montréal pour établir des dates alternatives plus tard cette année. Nous nous attendons à avoir plus de détails sur le report de ces deux évènements tôt la semaine prochaine.

Actuellement, nous continuons la planification de nos évènements de l’été et l’automne comme prévu, mais vous tiendrons informés sur notre blogue si jamais la situation devait changer pour une course ou une autre. 

Notre équipe continuera à revoir les informations les plus récentes de l’ASPC, de même que des agences provinciales et municipales pour réévaluer le risque à la santé publique à l’aide des données les plus fiables à mesure que la situation évolue.

Nos vifs remerciements pour votre compréhension et votre soutien en tant que communauté durant cette période extrêmement difficile.

Entretemps, veuillez passer en revue les recommandations sur la manière de prévenir la propagation de maladies infectieuses. Et à prendre en compte lors de la course :

  • Lavez-vous les mains souvent avec de l’eau savonneuse pendant au moins 20 secondes. S’il n’y a pas de savon et d’eau disponible, utilisez un désinfectant pour les mains à base d’alcool dont la teneur en alcool est d’au moins 60 %.
  • Évitez de vous toucher les yeux, le nez ou la bouche avec des mains non lavées.
  • Évitez tout contact étroit avec des personnes malades.
  • Restez à la maison lorsque vous êtes malade.
  • Utilisez un mouchoir lorsque vous toussez ou éternuez, et jetez-le aux poubelles après.
  • Nettoyez et désinfectez les objets et les surfaces que vous touchez fréquemment.
  • Mouchez-vous loin des autres coureurs.
  • Défaites-vous de vos gobelets, gels énergétiques et tout autre article personnel dans le récipient approprié.
  • Il est toujours recommandé que vous vous fassiez vacciner pour la grippe si ce n’est déjà fait puisque le virus sévit toujours au sein de la communauté.

Pour en savoir plus :

Comment prendre des décisions éclairées en fonction des risques et continuera à se faire au fur et à mesure des nouvelles informations obtenues chaque jour :

https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies/2019-nouveau-coronavirus/professionnels-sante/rassemblement-masse-fonde-risques.html

 

Dec 19 2019
1

Ringing in the New Decade: Our Top 12 Moments of 2019

By | Community Leaders, Elite Athletes, General, Newsletter | No Comments

With the days flying off the calendar as we approach the new year (and new decade!) we’re taking a look back on our top moments of 2019.

This year was a special one for CRS as we celebrated our 30th edition as an organization. And since we couldn’t pick just ten moments, given the holiday spirit, we decided to go for a “12 Days of Christmas” style list.

We’ll highlight one moment each day until 2020 on our social channels. But if you’ve got time for some reading here they are all at once:

Moment #1 – Highest fundraising year EVER

Closing the fundraising till at $$6,840,929, 2019 was our highest fundraising year yet across all events.  

This one also goes out to everyone who runs and raises funds for a cause. This has truly been a community effort and we’re thankful to run with those who give back to their local communities.  

Moment #2 – Both all-comers records broken at TOwaterfront42K 

This year, both the men’s and women’s all-comers records were broken by Philemon Rono in a time of 2:05:00 and by Magdalyne Masai-Robertson in a time of 2:22:16 

These times were also the fastest marathons run on North American soil in 2019. 

Congratulations Philemon and Magz!  

Moment #3 – Sending both Canadian TOwaterfront42K champions to Tokyo 2020

In addition to the honour of hosting the Canadian Marathon Trials, both men’s and women’s Canadian Champions of TOwaterfront42K qualified for Tokyo2020.    

Both Trevor and Dayna reached the qualifying time standard and are headed to Tokyo next year as part of Team Canada. 

Moment #4 – Most Guinness World Records broken at TOwaterfront42K this year 

Did you know that this year we had a record-breaking number of record-breakers! That’s right. Officially, 14 Guiness World Records were broken at this year’s @ TOwaterfront42K. 

Congratulations to all the new GWR record holders in 2019!  

Moment #5 – New brand/logo for TOwaterfront42K  

To help celebrate the 30th Edition of the Canada Running Series and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon event we refreshed our look and created an entirely new social identity with the help of Origin agency. 

You may have noticed we’re no longer using the STWM hashtag… this is intentional. As we welcome more and more international runners each year we moved to a tag and identity that more clearly indicate what our event is all about!  

In 2019 we gave a big welcome to our new identity! Welcome, #TOwaterfront42K  

Moment #6 – The 30th edition of CRS 

We’re halfway there! 

Tied to our rebrand, for us, Moment #6 of 2019 was celebrating our 30th Edition, not only of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, but of the entire Canada Running Series! 

For 30 years now we have been celebrating the community of running in Canada and working to get Canadian runners the recognition they deserve.  

Athletes of all ages and abilities have been enjoying Canada Running Series events for over 30 years now and will continue to do so for many years to come.  

Thank you to everyone who has run in our events or helped us in any capacity over the years.  

We’re so happy for the opportunity of making your running dreams come true! 

Moment #7 – Sharing life events with runners at the lululemon Toronto 10K 

Yes, we have events other than TOwaterfront42k 😉 they’re freakin’ awesome, too!  

We’ve been fortunate to have lululemon as an amazing race partner at the Toronto 10K for the past few years and this year, we were able to provide the gorgeous and most inspirational setting where two runners celebrated a very important life moment…  

Some were lucky enough to witness a PROPOSAL at the step and repeat backdrop after the 10K this past June. Mango Peeler, Toronto artist-athlete, created a stunning mural for the event which was the perfect setting for this happy couple.  

Runners enjoyed a 10K race along the waterfront with cheer stations every 1K and themed donuts at the end.  

Another one bites the donut (dust). 

Moment #8 – Inspirational words from Charlie Dark

It was an honour to have Charlie Dark, global lululemon ambassador and run crew founder, join us to share some inspirational messages at the lululemon Toronto 10K.  

Charlie started running around 2006, when he was not confident enough to go to a gym on his own. He ran in the dark until his confidence grew. Now it has grown so much that he is able to travel to events and inspire other runners, and empower young people, to achieve their goals.  

It is a pleasure to know Charlie and always a delight to hear him speak.

  

Moment #9 – Charity Challenge partner wins highest fundraising category, nationally

Fountain of Love and Life celebrated their 10-year anniversary as an official charity partner of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

They had raised $451,295.32 this year, winning the highest fundraising charity category not only in Toronto, but nationally across 6 Scotiabank Charity Challenges in Canada.

To date, they have raised a total of $2,209,935.27

Moment #10 – The male champions of CRS 

Let’s take a moment to recognize all the (M) champions from our 8 races across Canada this year. 

  1. Spring Run-Off – High Park, Toronto – Tristan Woodfine * 
  2. 21K de Montreal – Parc Jean Drapeau, Montreal – Tristan Woodfine 
  3. Toronto 10K – Toronto Waterfront – Jean Marie Vianney  
  4. Edmonton 10K – Edmonton, AB – Leonard Chesoo 
  5. Vancouver Half-Marathon – Vancouver, BC – Benjamin Preisner 
  6. Eastside 10K – Vancouver, BC – Evan Esselink
  7. ZooRun – Toronto Zoo – Wendimu Adamu  
  8. Toronto Waterfront Marathon – Toronto, ON – Trevor Hofbauer 

Thanks for running with us and for flying through that finishing tape.  

*Tristan is also the overall series winner of 2019.

Moment #11 – The female champions of CRS 

Let’s take another moment to recognize the female champions of CRS events in 2019. 

  1. Spring Run-Off – High Park, Toronto – Sarah Inglis 
  2. 21K de Montreal – Parc Jean Drapeau, Montreal – Anne-Marie Comeau
  3. Toronto 10K – Toronto Waterfront – Nyirarukundo Salome 
  4. Edmonton 10K – Edmonton, AB – Natasha Wodak 
  5. Vancouver Half-Marathon – Vancouver, BC – Natasha Wodak 
  6. Eastside 10K – Vancouver, BC – Malindi Elmore 
  7. ZooRun – Toronto Zoo – Rachel Hannah *  
  8. Toronto Waterfront Marathon – Toronto, ON – Dayna Pidhoresky

Thanks for running with us and for flying through that finishing tape.  

*Rachel is also the overall series winner of 2019.

Moment #12 – Most participants EVER in 2019! 

CRS had the most participants EVER (across all our events) in 2019. 

With a whopping 69,045 participants across our series of events, this one is all on YOU. So, thanks for making this year of running in Canada a great one <3  

—

That’s all for now, folks.  

Thanks for all the good times this year. Have a happy and safe New Years and we’ll see you in 2020!  ❤️

Jun 11 2019
0

Advantages to Rest and Recover

By | Eastside 10k, General, Nutrition, Run Gear | No Comments

Why you need to think about rest and recovery this race season

This time of year, many runners are planning out their race schedule, setting goals and choosing the right training plan.  Building rest days and recovery into your plan are just as important to the process as the runs and gym sessions. Rest and recovery are necessary for muscles to repair, rebuild and strengthen so that you can reach your potential as an athlete.

Under Armour, the title sponsor for Eastside 10K, has introduced new apparel technology, scientifically designed to enhance performance and recovery to give athletes an edge over the competition. The new product called UA RUSH, is made with mineral infused fabric technology that, when activated by body heat, transfers the energy back into the body, resulting in improved blood flow and circulation. The product is designed to be worn at the time of sweat and promote improved performance, energy and recovery.  When worn, UA RUSH stimulates increased endurance and strength.  If you’re looking for an edge this race season, UA RUSH apparel may be something you want to try. It comes in men’s and women’s fitted tees, long-sleeved shirts, leggings, tights and sports bras for women.UA RUSH is something athletes can wear both in training leading up to race day and also during the race.

If you give UA RUSH a try, we’d love to see how it boosts your performance. Share your Under Armour Eastside 10K training photos on Instagram using #UAEastside10K.

Registration is now open for the Under Armour Eastside 10K. Sign up now!