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Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Sep 12 2016
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Suited to the Task: Timo Kantereit and Jen Wilson chase stylish Guinness World Record in 2016

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By Amy Friel.
TORONTO September 14th 2016

Earlier this year — back in April — a runner named Timo Kantereit posted a picture to Instagram with the caption, “Late for work.”

The photo was from the 2016 Hannover Marathon in Germany, and showed Kantereit, clad in a crisp business suit and bright yellow Adidas running shoes, a race number pinned to his shirt. His business attire is conspicuous amid the throngs of fellow runners in their split shorts and tech tees — especially considering the sweltering, 27-degree conditions in which he ran.

Kantereit might have looked out-of-the-ordinary, but the niche world record he was chasing — the Guinness World Records title for fastest marathon in a suit — has gained something of a cult following among runners in recent years. The men’s half-marathon record alone has proven to be a constantly moving target, the mark having been broken no fewer than three times in less than a year.

timo-running

So when Kantereit posted the picture of his own record attempt on Instagram, the reaction was immediate — and overwhelming.

“My average is maybe 100 or 150 likes on a picture, but this one got two thousand or something,” he explains. “It kind of skyrocketed.”

Almost immediately, Kantereit was inundated with comments and kudos from runners all over the world. Among them was Torontonian Nick Mizera, himself a former record holder, who had claimed the suited half-marathon title at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon the previous fall.

Thanks in no small part to the unseasonably warm temperatures, Kantereit’s record attempt in Hannover fell frustratingly short of the existing Guinness World Records mark. So when Mizera suggested his own hometown marathon for a second attempt, Kantereit’s interest piqued.

“I didn’t manage to get the record there,” he explains. “So then I was like okay, maybe I should give it another shot in the fall. And then there was Toronto.”

For a record-chaser looking for shot at redemption, the Toronto race looked like a perfect fit.

“It’s pretty late in the year, it’s not gonna be that warm anymore, and it’s a flat and fast course,” he says.

When it comes to record-chasers, Kantereit will be in good company on the streets of Toronto this fall. Nova Scotian-turned-Torontonian Jen Wilson also has plans to carry on the burgeoning tradition of bespoke speed started by Mizera in 2015. And just like Kantereit, Wilson’s record attempt is about more than just adding her name to the annals of Guinness World Records history — it’s about personal redemption.

“I DNFed last year. I tore my hamstring,” she recalls. “I didn’t realize how bad my hamstring was, so I tried to run, and I only made it 18K.”

jen-wilsonWilson is a classic endurance athlete at heart; an accomplished marathoner and triathlete, she’s unaccustomed to the experience of giving in. So when she recalls her race in 2015, her memories are vivid: injured, defeated, waiting in the bitter cold to be collected from the side of the course, tears of disappointment freezing to her cheeks.

“I’ve done the race for the last five years; Scotia was my very first race ever,” she says. “So crashing out of it and having my very first DNF was so heartbreaking.”

Down but not out, Wilson felt determined to return to the race in 2016, rested, healed, and looking for redemption. So when she heard about the Guinness World Records Challenge, she saw an opportunity to take on a new and exciting goal, without the burden of undue pressure.

“A Guinness World Record seemed like a really fun way to go back to this race that I love, and sort of erase some of the awfulness from last year,” she says.

Having trained through the long, hot summer in ordinary running attire, Wilson anticipates that racing in the suit will bring its own unique set of challenges.

“I think that when the suit gets wet, it’s gonna be kind of gross,” she says. “And there’s gonna be that moment when you start to overheat.”

For his part, Kantereit has his own reservations. Still, he feels confident that, given the right conditions on race day, the existing record of 2:58:03 is well within his capabilities.

“You don’t know how it’s going to feel after 20K, you don’t know how it’s going to feel after 30K,” he says. “It’s tough to predict.”

For Kantereit and Wilson, one thing is certain: at STWM 2016, running for redemption has never looked so stylish.

Applications for Guinness World Record attempts at the 2016 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half-Marathon will be accepted until Friday September 16th! Find out how you can apply to break your very own Guinness World Record: http://runcrs.co/1TROjVx 

Sep 08 2016
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Eric Gillis Confirmed To Run Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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September 8th 2016 – By Paul Gains

Following a sublime race in the Rio Olympic marathon, Eric Gillis has confirmed he will run the 2016 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16th.

This will mark his sixth time racing in this IAAF Gold Label race but, on this occasion, he will start as one of the co favourites.

eric_flag

The 36 year old from Antigonish, Nova Scotia finished 10th in Rio, the best performance by a Canadian man in the Olympic marathon since Jerome Drayton’s 6th place at the 1976 Games in Montreal.

Since the 1990’s however, the dominance of the East African athletes has been well documented. Indeed, six of the top ten finishers in Rio were born in East Africa making this performance by a Canadian even more remarkable.

Not lost on Gillis, a three time Olympian, was the fact most of the elite athletes ran between three and four minutes slower than their best times on a course that twisted and turned under the hot Brazilian sunshine. Now Gillis, who is known for being pragmatic, if not cautious, will chase a fast time in Toronto. Rio, he agrees, was his best marathon effort ever.

“I would agree with that,” he declares. “I think this is where the consistency over the years comes in. This is where I have strength, not just the race in Rio, but in terms of going to run in Toronto. I know how to run a 2:11 in Toronto. I know what that feels like I have been consistent at it. I kind of know where to risk it a little bit more in terms of getting a faster time. And, if I am going to do that, I certainly having had the best race of my life it only helps my confidence that I can do that in Toronto. Definitely.

“And it was a different type of race in Rio. It was really for placing; it wasn’t for time. So it was a different challenge that way. It was still a great race. I had to be fit, I had to be ready to go. And I like the fact Toronto is more about time. It gets me fired up to do this again so quickly.”

Gillis’ personal best time came at the 2014 STWM where he ran 2:11:21. Most of his Toronto appearances have been marked by the necessity of qualifying for a major championship. Not this time. Now he’d like to throw caution to the wind and go out at 64:45 for the first half and see where that gets him.

“I know I am in great shape but I did run a marathon (recently) and have got to see what the conditions are like in Toronto and play the field out,” he explains. “Last year I got really lucky with someone to race with right to the end and that was really awesome.”

Since there are just six weeks until Toronto Waterfront, Gillis will approach the race much differently than previous marathons. For a start, there will be no half marathon race between now and then to serve as an ‘indicator’ of fitness, though he will race Canada Running Series’ Vancouver Eastside 10k on September 17th.

“Right now the main emphasis is more about me managing every day,” he reveals, “being more flexible on a day to day basis and less about hitting weekly mileage goals because they are not going to look that impressive. They are going to be average.  If anything they will look kind of low but having extra recovery in there and feeling like that’s what I need to be able to set up this Toronto race and keep the curiosity going.”

Recovery from the Olympic marathon was swift. There was the usual soreness in his thighs for a few days afterwards, but a series of late nights, including his attendance at the Olympic closing ceremonies, after which he got just three hours sleep before an overnight flight home to Toronto, left him more tired than the marathon. But already he has done a couple of serious workouts and is back on track for the buildup towards the marathon.

It has been almost four years since Gillis received money from the Athlete Assistance Project. Though he remains grateful that he received money to get him to his first two Olympic Games, he understands his advanced age means most will see him as on a gradual decline and therefore not a good bet. He smiles at that thought.

eric_stwm15“My plans had always been to carry on after Rio for at least a couple of years and take a shot at a faster time or another championship race or a couple of marathons I have never done before,” Gillis responds. “I feel that I am able to put what I have learned over the years into better practice but I can actually use it in my training and use it more often and use it to set up races and take bigger risks.

“I am excited for a couple of years to do that. All that experience is right across the board in terms of staying healthy, knowing how to get fit, handling the pressure and enjoying it more. They are all things I have had to put a lot of work into and now I am still putting a lot of work into it but starting to reap the benefits.”

Jerome Drayton’s Canadian record of 2:10:09 was set in 1975 and is the oldest record in the books. Scotiabank has put up a $41,000 bonus – $1,000 for every year the record has stood. If Gillis has targeted this he will not say.

“I’m sticking to the same formula that worked leading into Rio,” he allows, “focusing on setting up each day to have success the following one, and ultimately the most on October 16th. What that exactly looks like, I won’t know until the finish line. I’m not ruling anything out. I can say, if all goes well, I’d like to have my best Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to date.”

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For more information and to join Eric Gillis and other world class runners: STWM.ca

Header image photo credit: Photo Run

Aug 30 2016
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Ethiopia’s Demise Returns to Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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August 30th, 2016 – By Paul Gains

Ethiopia’s Shure Demise will defend her Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon title October 16th a year wiser and stronger than when she made her first visit to Canada’s largest city.

On that occasion she won this IAAF Gold Label race in unusually cold temperatures (4C at the start) with a time of 2:23:37.

Although the temperature is usually milder and more suited to fast marathon running on Toronto race weekend, Demise’s introduction to North American racing was particularly harsh. Coming from a training environment that is more like summer, she was amongst a group of elite athletes who were caught out. Race organizers for the first time ever went shopping for gloves and hats as a courtesy.  Demise had never experienced such conditions but handled them like the world beating athlete she is.

Shure Demise Toronto

Photo Credit: Photo Run

“The weather part was very cold that’s what I remember most,” she recalls. “Yes, the weather was somehow challenging but with the will of the Almighty finally the victory was mine.

“I had never worn a hat and gloves before (in a race) at that time. The reason I wore them was because of the cold weather. I will definitely have them in my luggage this time.”

Now that she has one Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon under her belt, Demise has begun her preparation for this year’s race and has targeted the course and Canadian All Comer’s record of 2:22:43. That record is held jointly by Sharon Cherop (Kenya) and Koren Yal (Ethiopia) and has withstood the assault of many a fine marathoner.

The 20 year old Demise reckons she is destined to write her name in the record book and her performance last year has convinced her of this. Earlier this year she ran 2:25:04 for 6th place in Tokyo, one of the World Marathon Majors, and was clearly disappointed to suffer leg pain. She denies feeling pressure to match her incredible debut time.

“It (Dubai) was my first time to take part in a marathon and it was a good time,” she explains. “But no it’s not difficult, I will repeat it in the near future. I feel to improve my personal best, I must keep working hard.

“It’s the same training as last year that I am doing now. When I train individually I go 27-28kms when I run with the group it’s more like 35-37kms. With the help of the Almighty I want to improve the (Toronto) record time.”

Although the cold left an indelible mark, she also recalls the informal celebration she experienced after winning Toronto. She joined fellow Ethiopian runners and guests at Rendezvous restaurant on Toronto’s Danforth Avenue.

“I was very proud to win in that cold weather; for me it was a great feeling I never had before. Afterwards I enjoyed eating dinner in an Ethiopian restaurant in Toronto. When I got home to Ethiopia I celebrated with my family,” she explains.

Demise first turned heads when, as a 19 year old debutante, she broke the unofficial world junior marathon record with a clocking of 2:20:59. That achievement, recorded at the 2015 Dubai Marathon, earned her fourth place and a large cash prize.  Invitations to World Marathon Majors’ Boston Marathon in the spring, and then Toronto in the autumn, saw her make her first visits to North America.

As a member of an elite group of distance runners coached by Gemedu Dedefo Hailemariam, she showed promise, keeping up with Aselech Mergia in training. Originally her manager, Gianni Demadonna, had looked at one or two low key marathons for her to race but on Gemedu’s advice sent her with Mergia to Dubai. Mergia won the race in 2:20:02 while Demise earned her team’s faith with her spectacular debut.

Remarkably, Demise ran without taking water during her first marathon and she is still not completely comfortable now.

“The reason why I was not taking the water was that I was not used to do it before,” she explains, “and I was not able to catch the bottle in my hand. But now I will.

“I train with a group of  Demadonna Athletics Promotion athletes with very well know athletes like Tirfi Tsegaye, Aselefech Mergia, Aberu Kebede and many more. These athletes are very mature and I learn a lot of things from them regularly.”

Tsegaye won the 2014 Berlin Marathon, the 2016 Dubai Marathon (in a world leading 2:19:41) and was 2nd in Toronto in 2010, while Aberu Kebede has also won Berlin in 2012. Their exploits overseas fuelled her desire upon hearing their stories during early morning training sessions in rural Ethiopia.

While her training partners inspire her every day, she remembers watching Ethiopian legends Derartu Tulu and her cousin, Tirunesh Dibaba on the television when she was young. Like many Ethiopian youngsters, she took comfort in knowing these athletes came from humble beginnings such as her own.  Her parents are farmers and Demise has five brothers and five sisters.

After running a very quick 33:24 for 10000m – at the age of sixteen – it was very clear she had the talent to succeed. It should be noted that that time was recorded in Asella in south-central Ethiopia at an altitude of 2430m. Not long after she went off to Addis Ababa to stay with her brother who is a policeman in the capital.

Still just 20 years old Demise has a bright future ahead.

“I want to work hard and participate in a future Olympics and achieve a good result for my country and myself,” is her response when asked about the future. But next up is the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and an assault on the course record.

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For more information and to run with Shure Demise, Rachel Hannah & others: www.STWM.ca

Aug 29 2016
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Digital Champions Blog: Race Training – Making a Plan

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By Jamie-Leigh Cuthbertson 
Toronto August 25th, 2016

I signed up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon in May, riding the heels of the incredible runner’s high I had from running my first half-marathon in the spring. I loved training for that race, but found that my training lacked a whole lot of structure and I didn’t end up building distance as early in my training schedule as I should have. It was fine, and my race went really, really well.

For this race, I decided I wanted to put together a formal training plan for the race. I did my research and put together a plan that included everything a good training should include:

 #1 Long Runs: 

Building up your distance is going to be an important part of training for any race. Your training plan should include a weekly long run where you can gradually increase your distance each week, getting closer to your actual race distance. These runs help build the physical foundation and endurance you’ll need to run the race as well as the mental strength to face any challenges you may encounter.

#2 Speed Work:

While it may be hard to believe as you’re doing 200m sprints during the hottest days of the summer, speed workouts get your body used to moving faster and train it to burn less fuel while going further. I have also found that increasing my pace in speed workouts mean that my long run pace seems a lot more manageable. Playing around with running paces has helped me know when to give it more gas or when to keep some in the tank in race scenarios as well.

#3 Strength Training:

Long runs and speed workouts are great at working the main muscles we need for running, but there are other important parts of our body that we need to keep strong to help prevent injuries. Strength workouts for runners should focus on targeting muscles that help keep you balanced like your core, hips, back, and glutes.

#4 Rest Days: 

The most important part of any training plan is scheduling your rest days! Your body is working hard for you and you need to reward it with some recovery time. Your body takes this time to repair muscles and without these days, you risk over training and overuse injuries. My training schedule ensures I get at least 1 day per week of full rest and relaxation.

Even though I follow a training plan, I work in extra strength training and sometimes shift the dates of each run or workout based on what is happening that week. It’s important to be a bit flexible with your training plan and enjoy the process!

If you ever need any company for speed work, long runs, carb loading, or rest days – give me a shout on Twitter @JamieLeighTO.

 

Aug 23 2016
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Digital Champions Blog: Lessons from the Home of the Marathon

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By Rachel Dewan
Toronto August 25th, 2016

If you had told me a year ago that I would be training for a marathon, I would have been skeptical. If you had told me a year ago that half of my marathon training would take place in Greece in the summer, I never would have believed you. Who would ever want to make training more difficult than it already is? As a student of archaeology, I have been fortunate enough to spend the last five summers excavating ancient sites on the island of Crete, but while the warm climate is a welcome escape from a long Canadian winter, the sun and the heat make for grueling conditions, far from the ideal running weather.

Yet, nearly one year after running my first half-marathon, here I am, finishing up the final week of two and a half months of marathon training and archaeological study in Crete. You see, that first 21.1 km race at the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon led to another in the winter, and then another in the spring. When friends started to talk about running the full marathon at this year’s STWM, I joked about it with them, but figured that my summer field work in Greece would make training too difficult. Then I learned about the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Being able to use the marathon as an opportunity to fundraise for a charity that I care about seemed to me to be the best way to complete my first marathon and I couldn’t pass it up. I registered for the race, dedicating my first marathon experience to Matthew House, a refugee shelter in downtown Toronto, stuffed my luggage with energy gels and electrolyte tablets, and took my training across the ocean. After all, as the home of the first marathon, Greece seemed a particularly appropriate place to embark on this adventure.Rachel Dewan Blog Photo 1

Now, as the Greek part of my training comes to an end and I prepare to fly home to Toronto, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Training this summer definitely wasn’t easy, but no one ever said it would be. In fact, I have learned more than I ever thought that I would, and about far more than just running. I should’ve known that the country which has already taught me so much through its history would have just as much to share in its present. After countless miles over Cretan soil, here are five lessons that I think apply to every run, whether you’re exploring the olive groves of Greece or the streets of Toronto.

1) You are always stronger than you think. I’ll be honest: that first 10k run on Crete was probably the hottest, sweatiest run of my life. But it broke whatever mental barrier I had built, and encouraged me to push myself, one training challenge after another. Each run was an accomplishment, and showed me just how strong the human body truly is. Runners, never underestimate your body’s ability to adjust to its surroundings. While the heat could be tough and the howling winds of East Crete became my nemesis, I put one foot in front of the other and told myself that sweet baklava awaited my return to the village.

2) Keep things in perspective. Of course, there were the inevitable days when a run was particularly tough or I was lacking energy after a long day of work. It was on those days that I needed an extra kick to get motivated; it was on those days when I reminded myself why I was doing this. For me, running the marathon isn’t just a personal challenge, but also a way to support Matthew House. The refugee crisis has hit Greece particularly hard and the effects of this global emergency run deep. Yet, it is places like Matthew House and the incredible people behind it who offer hope. So when I was exhausted from poring over books or studying ancient pottery and wanted to skip out on my training, I turned my thoughts to those for whom I was dedicating my marathon; those who are facing hardships I cannot even begin to comprehend – and persevering.

3) Encouragement is key. If you’re a runner in Greece, you will inevitably get asked, “But what are you running from?” Of course, it’s a question asked jokingly, but at the same time, let’s just say that running for running’s sake is not all that common in this country. That does not, however, mean that your running will not find support. In fact, quite the opposite! Memories of my summer runs are littered with little moments of motivation, from the supportive wave and nod of a lone fellow runner I might pass on the road, to the two elderly men who stepped off the curb to let me pass, broke into applause, and cheered me on with a chorus of “Bravo!” They may never know how much these little actions meant or how they helped me to finish that run strong, but I will certainly pay it forward, never underestimating the power of encouragement.

4) Appreciate the great outdoors. Even if nothing else had gone as planned, my runs would have been worthwhile for the scenery alone. If you’ve never been to Crete, add it to your list; blue water and glistening beaches abound, but more than that, there is an untamed beauty in the environment of this island, and nothing is more satisfying than reaching the perfect hilltop lookout with your own two feet.  Running gave me the chance to explore this natural environment in a unique, very personal way, and taught me to appreciate my surroundings at any speed. This is a lesson I will take back to Canada with me. We too often take the beauty of our home for granted; Greece has reminded me to look up from the road or the trail and take in the world we run through and live in every day.

Rachel Dewan Blog Photo 2

5) Honour tradition. The Greeks have given us the marathon and the Olympic Games, so I’d say they know a thing or two about athletic traditions. This spirit of tradition and the idea that athletes are following in the footsteps of the ancients lives on today, and the Greek people proudly commemorate their ancestors’ legacies. In fact, I began my summer training in Greece with a 7.5 km race at the ancient sanctuary of Nemea, where the finish line was set-up inside the ancient stadium! So regardless if you are running the traditional 42.2km, conquering a new half-marathon challenge, or running your first 5k, follow the Greek example and celebrate the fact that you are a part of history.

About Rachel Dewan: After running my first half-marathon at last year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, I knew that it would not be my last. Three half-marathons later, I’m excited to mark another first at this year’s STWM: my first full marathon. It is an experience made all the more special by the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and the chance to support the amazing work of Matthew House, a refugee shelter right here in Toronto. Although my training plan is uniquely divided between the intense summer heat of Greece where I conduct archaeological field work, and a Canadian fall, I am continually motivated by the incredible spirit of the residents of Matthew House, my fellow Nike+ Run Club runners, and everyone training to run their best on October 16th. I can’t wait to share in this experience with you! Connect with Rachel on Twitter and Instagram. 

Aug 22 2016
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Pan Am medalist Rachel Hannah Chasing Fast Time in Toronto

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August 22nd, 2016 – By Paul Gains

As Canadian record holder Lanni Marchant realized her dream of competing in the Rio Olympic marathon and 10,000m, a number of up and coming Canadian distance runners have drawn inspiration from her mighty achievements and are poised to step onto the world stage.

Chief among them is 29 year old Pan Am Games bronze medalist Rachel Hannah who, it must be said, has hardly begun to tap her potential. So, when the resident of Guelph, Ontario lines up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon this coming October 16 big things can be expected.

Hannah made a cautious marathon debut at the 2015 Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon where she turned heads with a 2:33:30 clocking, the fourth fastest time of the year by a Canadian.

Rachel Hannah Pan Am

Pan Am Games Marathon, 2015

It also allowed her the option of representing the country in either the World Championships or Pan Am Games. She chose Pan Ams so she could run in front of friends and family and, similarly, this is a motivating factor in racing Toronto Waterfront. It helped too that the event is also the 2016 Canadian Marathon Championship.

“I know Toronto Waterfront is going to be custom setup for my needs,” she says of the IAAF Gold Label race.  “(Race Director) Alan (Brookes) takes such good care of us.  That was the main deciding factor.

“And just the strength of the hometown crowd. I was thinking about this when I experienced this during the Pan Am Games. It was incredible, it helps pull you along when it gets really tough and that was evident during the hills and the humidity. I am excited just to be back running Toronto in similar areas and hopeful the energy will pull me along and I will run a PB.”

In January she ran the Houston Marathon finishing in a new PB of 2:32:09 a time that puts her at the top of the Canadian rankings for 2016.

At that race she had kept the Olympic qualifying standard (2:29:50) in the back of her mind and when, at the half way point,  the pace was slipping, she compensated mentally by breaking the race up into components and not thinking negative thoughts. It is this mindset she hopes to bring to Toronto.

“I do think that because I am pretty new to (marathoning) – I have been doing it only a year and half now – I do think there is a lot in the tank,” Hannah declares. “I can go faster.  I just have to be really consistent and keep a positive mindset.  There so much to the marathon that is all in your head. You know your body can do it if you put in the training and have been consistent. I think sometimes the training is harder than doing it on the day.”

The qualifying period for the 2017 IAAF World Championships opened this past January and she clearly has ambitions to wear a Canadian singlet again on the world stage.

“I’d love to do (the London World Championships),” she declares. “That’s definitely in the back of mind going into Toronto Waterfront, try to run a really quick time and be in the qualifying window.  I’m not sure what the time standard will be but I hope I can get to run in London. That will be a fantastic experience to go and be able to compete.”

Hannah graduated from Georgia State University in 2009. It is there she studied nutrition. Up until December of last year she was working full time at MedCan as a dietician, but with the cooperation of her employer has now reduced the number of hours to roughly 16-20 per week, reflecting her growing athletics requirements.

Recently she moved in with her long-time boyfriend Dave Korell, who is also her coach, and so is splitting time between her mother’s place in the Flemingdon Park area of North Toronto, which is close to her work, and their home in Guelph. With more time available for training and recovery, she and Korell have been able to compose a program that incorporates some changes. Presently she trains with local runners Cameron Bush, Darren Lee, Eric Bang and Rejean Chiasson.

“We are looking at a twelve week buildup,” she explains. “I am going to do a longer tempo in my long runs.  So far I have got up to 50 minutes at goal marathon pace during my long runs. This time around I am going to try and go for over an hour. That is one factor that will change. There will more long runs in general. My body is used to getting up to those distances.

“I am going to practice more with (water) tables. Dave will probably set up tables with bottles so I can become more efficient grabbing bottles because I think I lose a few seconds here and there at each station. And, now that I am working part time I can sleep more so that’s another thing I am going to incorporate. It’s so important for recovery!”

Hannah continues to learn from each marathon and is not averse to taking advice from those with more experience. In Ottawa last year she sat down with 2016 Olympian, Krista DuChene, who is also a nutritionist, and asked her questions about fuelling and the marathon in general.

“We were sitting down going over some tips the night before,” Hannah reveals. “I remember her telling me, and this really stuck with me,  ‘make sure you are fuelling properly knowing that you are going to feel a little heavy going into it but you are going to be thankful when you get to 35k and have energy reserves.’”

Earlier this summer Hannah won the Canadian 10,000m championship in Guelph, easily beating Canadian Olympian and national record holder, Natasha Wodak, in the process. Winning the Canadian marathon title in Toronto would be a great addition to her medal collection but one thing is even more important: a new personal best.

If the conditions are right she can be expected to tap that potential and follow the path blazed by Lanni Marchant, and toward London 2017.

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Aug 17 2016
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Digital Champions Blog: Urban vs Suburban Running

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By Charles Minor
Toronto August 17th, 2016

Remember the TV show ‘Green Acres?’ In the show, the two main characters have opposed lifestyle choices- one loved the city, while the other loved the countryside. Watching a re-run of this show made me think: what kind of environment do I like running in the best? The urban hustle-and-bustle or the more relaxed, quiet suburban style? Both have their pros and cons and I’m sure people have their preference, so let’s explore some of the features of both venues together!

I have to admit that running downtown is relatively new for me. As a “Scarberian” I grew up running in the suburbs and similarly, I have spent most of my adult life living and running in Aurora/Oak Ridges. My initiation into downtown running came a few years ago when I joined the RunTOBeer crew and Canada Running Series for a training run in the Toronto core. One of the first things I noticed while running downtown is the “start and stop” nature of running; you are a slave to the traffic lights downtown, and man are they everywhere and frequent! It takes some getting used to waiting at a stop light when you are used to running with little to no stopping in the ‘burbs. I can only imagine what a long run must be like downtown! During a Sunday long run in Aurora, you can go ages without coming near a traffic light and it is not uncommon to not see a car or another person for your 2 plus hour run! Suburban running tip: make sure to bring water, cell phones and money with you on long runs. There are no stores, bus stops or bank machines to hit along the way should you find yourself thirsty or tired!

Another thing that struck me while running downtown is the “Spartan Race” style! There are obstacles everywhere! Garbage cans, parking meters, humans or bicycles, man you gotta be aware of your surroundings or you could get seriously injured. Urban running tip: you have to have your wits about you in both environments but be prepared to dodge hazards downtown! In the burbs, the biggest obstacle is…well…nothing! While running on the sidewalk or the shoulder of a road, the only concern is the local traffic, and maybe the occasional bit of roadkill or the neighbour’s dog).

In both urban and suburban venues, safety is a number one concern for runners! Here are some tips for both types of running:

  • Be visible, wear lights and bright colours.
  • Make eye contact with cars when you enter an intersection, make sure they see you.
  • Bring a cell phone and carry ID.
  • Tell someone where you are running and when you plan to come back.
  • Avoid ear phones. I know most people love their music when running, but it doesn’t allow you to stay aware of your surroundings. If you must wear ear phones, use only one or keep the volume low.
  • Mind your manners. Obey road rules and be polite and courteous to drivers – it’s contagious!

I guess now that I think about it more, I don’t have a preference! I love running downtown as it is so exciting, full of energy and it prepares you for race day, especially if you are running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon! My downtown runs are like a mini dress-rehearsal where I get to practice getting to a venue, as well as running in a possible new environment. I also love running in my home turf of the suburbs as it is peaceful, quiet and it allows me to focus on my inner thoughts when I run as opposed to focusing on my surroundings! If you run strictly downtown: go to the burbs and check it out-you won’t be disappointed! To my fellow suburban runners: get downtown and enjoy the excitement and energy that can be found running in the city!

About Charles Minor: Hi everyone! Like a lot of people, I started running in public school on cross country and track and field teams. As a kid I always dreamed of one day running a marathon but it always seemed so daunting to me. Completing my first marathon was one of the best accomplishments of my life, something I always look back on with pride and happiness. Now as a busy parent, running has been an outlet for me to unwind and to stay physically fit. Running has taught me how to set and achieve goals, to act as a role model for my students at school but most importantly it has allowed me to strengthen the bonds that exist with my family members and to create new friendships with other runners. I look forward to sharing my Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon journey with all of you! Connect with Charles on Twitter and Instagram. 

Aug 15 2016
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A Glimmer of Hope: Robert MacDonald and Team I Will

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
August 15th, 2016 – By Amy Friel 

Robert MacDonald knows how bright a glimmer of hope can be.

Four years ago, the Toronto-area native lay broken in a hospital bed, unable to move (or even to feel) anything from the waist down.

While vacationing with friends in Cabo, Mexico, MacDonald fell thirty feet from a hotel balcony, dislocating his spine in two places, fracturing nine vertebrae, breaking eleven ribs and his scapula, and puncturing a lung. The fractured vertebrae pinched his spinal cord, obstructing vital blood flow; the longer the obstruction went on, the more extensive the damage.

In need of immediate surgery, MacDonald was taken via air ambulance to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, where a team of surgeons straightened and secured his spine using a computer-guided 3D intra-operative scanner. In terms of spinal cord injury, it was the gold standard in care: the fastest, most precise, and least invasive intervention possible. Even still, his diagnosis — asia B paraplegia — did not paint a promising picture.

For seven agonizing days, the twenty-six-year-old MacDonald struggled to come to terms with a future he could never have imagined. The lifelong athlete and former hockey and squash player now had a one-in-twenty shot of ever walking again.

“For those first seven days, nothing in my lower body moved,” MacDonald recalls. “I was in the ICU and I was pretty banged-up, and I thought, you know, I’m not gonna walk again. I know I’m not gonna walk again. I can’t feel anything in my lower body, I can’t move it. This is it.”

And then something happened — something terribly ordinary, yet quietly significant:  the big toe on his left foot began, ever so slightly, to twitch.

It wasn’t much. But for MacDonald, that small twitch was enough.

“I basically took it as a sign,” he says. “If my toe can twitch, well then, something else can move. I kept thinking, if you just keep moving, keep doing, keep thinking, keep positive — you’ll be able to heal.”

Robert MacDonald Treadmill

Once he was medically stabilized, MacDonald was transferred from St. Michael’s Hospital to Toronto Rehab’s Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Centre, where a team of specialized physiotherapists designed a program to help him transition back into ordinary life. For someone with his diagnosis, this meant potentially learning to adapt to life in a wheelchair — a future that MacDonald was unwilling to accept.

“I believe that you alone are responsible,” he explains. “When you are potentially not ever going to walk again, you really realize quite quickly how dependent you would be on others. And that was a huge motivator for me. So I said, you got yourself into this — you’ve gotta get yourself out of it.”

His journey toward healing was measured, as he puts it, “in small muscle twitches.” Over time, he found he was able to voluntarily wiggle his toe, and began to regain the sense of touch in parts of his legs. After one month, he was able to stand with assistance. At three months in, he began to walk on his own.

The rehabilitation program was painful, tedious, and fraught with setbacks; each new milestone was hard-won. But throughout the process, MacDonald was undeterred.

“It didn’t matter if it was wiggle my toe, or get up to go to the bathroom, or walk for the first time, or stand up out of my wheelchair, or complete a 5K run,” he recalls. “It was just, I will, I will, I will. And that kind of became my mantra.”

As spinal cord injuries go, his case defies the odds. After months of inpatient treatment, a newly-discharged MacDonald walked, unassisted, through the doors of the Lyndhurst Centre, towards the independent life that once appeared to have been all but taken from him.

It’s a gift he does not take for granted.

“From what I understand, if I had had my injury ten years ago, I am definitely not walking again,” he says.

Determined to give back, and in the defiant spirit of the I Will mantra that carried him through his gruelling rehabilitation, MacDonald set his sights on running the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon, fundraising for the Toronto Rehab Foundation and the Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Centre.

“They were hugely crucial to my recovery,” he explains. “I obviously don’t count my own self out — my attitude, work ethic, and all of that individual stuff that went along with it — but I think equally important is the health care that was provided by that facility.”

What began as a personal challenge quickly grew to include family and friends; by race day, 72 runners had joined MacDonald’s Team I Will, raising over $73,500 for the Lyndhurst Centre.

True to form, MacDonald did more than simply cover the distance.

“I gave it as hard as I possibly could in the last kilometre,” he recalls of the race. “So I wasquite out of breath. And I don’t know if you’ve ever heard anyone cry and cough at the same time? It is not a pleasant sound. I was crying, coughing, and laughing all at once.”Robert MacDonald STWM

For MacDonald, his half-marathon finish line represented more than just a personal goal: it was a celebration of a life he fought tooth-and-nail to get back, and of all those who had helped to make his fight possible.

Now in training for his first-ever full marathon, MacDonald and his Team I Will plan to return to the Scotiabank course this October, with a goal of fielding a team of 150 runners in every distance from the 5K to the marathon. MacDonald hopes to double the team’s fundraising to a goal of $150,000. At the top spinal cord research facility in the world, it’s a goal that could mean one more glimmer of hope for someone just like him.

“This isn’t for me,” MacDonald says. “This is for the next me.”

To join Robert MacDonald and Team I Will, please contact Vanessa Sousa at  vanessa.sousa@uhn.ca or call 416-597-3422 ext. 3724. 

Aug 10 2016
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Digital Champions Blog: Raising the Bar

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
By Cathy Vandergeest 
Toronto August 10th, 2016

Why did I start running? I started running to maintain my weight, get in a good workout and tire out my high-energy dog. Along the way I found an absolute passion for running. I wasn’t a sporty kid, so being able to do something athletic as an adult made me proud. ‘Runner’ became a title I adopted with great pride.

In that first year, I immersed myself in all things running to learn more. Magazines, on-line articles and social media – which was jam-packed with a welcoming community of runners constantly talking about running, just like me!

Over the next two years, I’ve learned something else that I think is incredibly important for all runners to remember.

New runners come across articles and posts by experts, elites and every day runners talking about speed, technique, distance, pace and races. We get lured in, thinking, okay, this is how to do this! While running tips, tricks and information can be great teaching tools and motivators, the ‘how-to-be-the-best-runner-ever’ advice can also lead runners down a slippery slope.

We feel the pressure to push the envelope. To raise the bar. To be faster. Better. Best. And ultimately, this means every runner out there–with hugely varying abilities–is using the exact same gauge of success. With this only-the-best goal, we feel that we have to make excuses when we don’t achieve a perfect performance. “Oh, I was injured.” “I didn’t fuel properly.” “It was a really crowded course.” Instead of feeling pride when crossing the finish line, we feel guilt.

This realization has helped teach me that my goals can be–and should be–different than those of my running friends. It’s helped me look at the bigger running picture, my skills and to focus on what I want really to accomplish. I can choose to base my goals on the areas of running I’m best at, the parts that really challenge me or the parts that I simply enjoy the most.

Remember, we are all different, we shouldn’t have to set our goals and measure our success with the same ruler.

About Cathy Vandergeest: Even though it’s been over three years since I started running I still get giddy when friends describe me as a runner. I’ve raced every distance up to 30K and train outside year-round. While I strive to live a healthy lifestyle, I also understand the need to add ice cream into the equation! Initially running started out as something just for me, but I’ve found the running community to be one of my biggest sources of inspiration, motivation and information. I love to be able to pay-it-forward and assist or motivate runners just starting or struggling. When not running I keep busy as a graphic designer in a large format print shop, enjoy cooking, gardening and spending time with my family, dogs and friends. Connect with Cathy on Twitter and Instagram. 

Aug 08 2016
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Recipe for a Record: Toronto’s Marathon Chef takes on the Guinness World Records challenge

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
August 8th, 2016 – By Amy Friel 

For Toronto chef Daniel Janetos, food has always been a passion.

“I love cooking,” he says. “The only thing I love more than cooking, is eating.”

The founder of the city’s new and wildly popular Mac and Cheese Festival, Janetos has a wealth of experience that covers every aspect of working in the food industry.

“From when I was 11 or 12 years old, I’ve been in the industry,” he recalls. “Anywhere from folding cardboard boxes or doing dishes, to being a line cook, and then working my way up to being a head chef.”

Janetos’ passion for good food has taken him across the world; by his own estimation, he has travelled and cooked in over fifteen different countries. It’s an experience that has allowed him to become intimately acquainted with the peculiarities — both the good and the bad —  of working in the food industry.

“You get to see a cross-section of some pretty badass dudes and girls, who are just cooking because they’re passionate,” he says. “It’s an industry that’s high intensity, high in pressure, and high in habits. Chefs, and people within the industry, are known for getting off of work and drinking beers all night. It can be kind of a downward spiral.”

A former football player turned fitness and yoga enthusiast, Janetos was not about to let his passion for health and wellness conflict with his passion for food. So in 2014, when he heard about newly-formed crew The Food Runners, he was quick to join their ranks.

A niche offshoot of Toronto’s Nike Running Club, The Food Runners is a crew comprised of some of the city’s most talented chefs. Their goal is simple: to use running to foster a culture of healthy living among food industry professionals.

“The initial inspiration was just to throw some positivity into the industry,” Janetos explains. “At the beginning, guys were having cigarettes and beers before and after the runs. It was just a social activity.”

But what started as a friendly Wednesday morning ritual quickly turned into a dedicated training regimen, with crew members taking on increasingly challenging races and goals.

For Janetos, this training culminated in the completion of his first-ever marathon at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon last October. Recovering from an injury but determined to capitalize on his training, his race experience was by turns both grueling and rewarding.

Afterwards, like so many marathoners before him, Janetos doubted he would ever revisit the formidable distance.

“I promised myself, if I finish this marathon in under four hours — which I barely did — I’m never gonna push myself to run another marathon. I’m just gonna run for fun,” he recalls. “And then this email came through that said, ‘Hey, do you wanna set a Guinness World Record?’”

Quickly, Janetos found himself toying with the idea of capturing a Guinness World Records title that would double as a unique homage to his professional life and running crew: the fastest marathon dressed as a chef.

An athlete at heart, with a fiercely competitive spirit, Janetos is accustomed to chasing down goals. But he’s also, perhaps paradoxically, hyperaware of his own limitations; his athletic ambition is grounded in the memory of a childhood that was fraught with health concerns.

“I couldn’t eat anything,” he recalls. “I couldn’t run very far. If it was a smoggy day, I’d almost pass out. I went into anaphylactic shock a bunch of times.”

It’s an experience that taught him to value his health, and to take nothing for granted.

“All of that — not being able to eat, not having a good set of lungs — translated into me becoming a chef and loving sports, because I always wanted to have a healthy, active lifestyle.”

As for the demands of marathon training with an already demanding work schedule, Janetos isn’t one to complain — quite the contrary, in fact.

“Running gives you this extra energy, to get up in the morning and do more with the same number of hours in a day,” he explains.

But when the going does get tough (who among us can’t find ten good excuses to blow off a three-hour mileage run?), Janetos is quick to credit his Food Runners crew mates for providing the inspiration and accountability necessary to keep his training on track.

“It’s fairly small and tight-knit — never any more than twenty people,” he says of his crew. “But for the people that get out there, we see true growth. Everyone’s in a similar position, since it’s all people within your industry. So it’s a pretty powerful team, in terms of the ‘no excuses’ thing.”

No longer a rookie marathoner, and with a no-excuses attitude, Janetos now sees a Guinness World Records title on his horizon. As for the existing record of 4:07:17, his intentions for October are clear:

“My goal is to smash it.”

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