Announcing the Elite Field for the 2023 Vancouver Half Marathon

By | Elite Athletes, Vancouver Half Marathon | No Comments

Women’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
F1 Samantha  Jory Vancouver BC
F3 Sarah Inglis Surrey  BC
F6 Kathleen Lawrence Toronto ON
F7 Katherine Watson Vancouver BC
F8 Alison Gill Vancouver BC
F9 Maria Sang Surrey BC
F10 Sarah Carter North Vancouver BC
F11 Jen Millar Victoria  BC
F12 Eriko Soma Vancouver BC
F13 Moeko  Sanada  Vancouver BC
29 Joan Chung Toronto ON

Men’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
25 Thomas Nobbs Vancouver BC
2 Kevin Coffey  Kingston  ON 
3 Brendan Wong Coquitlam BC
4 Josh Kozelj Coquitlam BC
5 Derek Scott Vancouver  BC
6 Nicolas  Jirot  Abbotsford  BC
7 Adam Buzinsky Vancouver BC
8 Zac Labrie  Vancouver  BC
9 Ron  Loewen Surrey  BC
10 Imran Khoja Vancouver Bc
11 Drew  Nicholson Surrey BC
12 Gus Amundson  Vancouver BC
14 Graham Spry Vancouver  BC
15 Evan Dunfee Richmond BC
17 Jeremiah Ziak Vancouver  BC
18 David Morrissey Vancouver BC
22 Kris Butler Edmonton AB
24 Carlos Lesser Vancouver BC

Tristan Woodfine Favoured at the Under Armour Toronto 10K

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

by Paul Gains

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the complete start list, click here.

 

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About Canada Running Series

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Announcing the Elite Field for the 2023 Under Armour Toronto 10K

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

Women’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
F1 Rachel Hannah Toronto  ON
F3 Salome Nyirarukundo Toronto ON
F7 Erin Mawhinney Hamilton ON
F9 Asia Dwyer Toronto ON
F10 Kathleen  Lawrence Toronto ON
F11 Tori Bouck London ON
F12 Andrea Hill Ottawa ON
F13 Lauren King Toronto ON
F14 Laurel Buchanan Toronto ON
F15 Livia  Coburn Toronto ON
F16 Ana Laura Fray New Tecumseth ON
F17 Jay Smith Edmonton AB

Men’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
1 Tristan Woodfine Cobden ON
2 Rob Kanko Dundas ON
3 Dylan Alick Mississauga ON
4 Sergio Raez Villanueva Mississauga ON
5 Reid Coolsaet Hamilton ON 
7 Eric  Bang Toronto ON
8 Caleb Beland Sudbury  ON
9 Mitch  de Lange Thornton ON
10 Jean-Rene Caron Montreal QC
11 Mathieu  Moor Hamilton ON
14 Fernando  Medina Mossley ON
15 Cameron  Cira  Toronto  ON
16 Joshua McGillivray Toronto ON
20 Baghdad Rachem Verdun  QC
22 Timothy Fowler Toronto ON
23 Michael Logue Aurora ON
24 Shinsuke Adachi North York ON
26 Bernie Hogan Bancroft ON
27 Brian Byrne London ON
28 Jason  Skillicorn  Toronto  ON
29 Brent Poulsen Orillia ON

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.

 

Meet Your ASICS Pacer Team!

By | Community Leaders, Training Tips, Uncategorised, Vancouver Half Marathon | No Comments

2023 Vancouver Half Marathon – ASICS PACER TEAM

 

Trying to get under the two-hour mark? Looking for a running buddy to keep you motivated through your race? Pacers are a great resource for runners to help maintain pace, keep you motivated, and maybe push you towards that elusive new PB!

As in previous years, we will be offering a wider range of pace times to help keep you on track. So here they are, our 2023 ASICS Pacer Team at the Vancouver Half Marathon: Read More

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

Le 21K de Montréal couronne Mohamed Aagab et Elissa Legault / 21K de Montréal crownes Mohamed Aagab and Elissa Legault

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Plus de 3500 participants se sont alignés sur une des trois lignes de départ du 21K de Montréal, la deuxième étape du Canada Running Series 2023. 

Les coureurs du demi-marathon ont sillonné les îles Ste-Hélène et Notre-Dame du parc Jean-Drapeau sous des conditions météorologiques presque qu’idéales : 13C et généralement ensoleillé. Le parcours composé de quatre boucles différentes a permis aux nombreux spectateurs de voir et d’encourager les participants à plusieurs occasions. De nombreux sites d’encouragements, animés par des équipes de course, étaient dispersés sur le parcours. 

Mohamed Aagab de Campbellton, NB (1h05min42) et Elissa Legault de Mascouche, QC (1h12min25) ont confirmé leur niveau de forme de ce début de saison en remportant leur course de façon convaincante. 

Chez les hommes un groupe de 6 coureurs s’est détaché du peloton dès le 4ième kilomètre. Au 14ième kilomètre, le groupe s’était effrité à 3 coureurs : Mohamed Aagab, Alexander Maxwell d’Ottawa et Moussab Hadout de Montréal. C’est au 18ième kilomètre que tout s’est joué, Aagab a poussé une vive accélération pour distancer ses partenaires d’échappée, c’est cette décision stratégique qui lui a valu la victoire. 

Chez les femmes, Elissa Legault a mené la course de bout en bout sans regarder derrière. À la conquête du record québécois du demi-marathon qu’elle détenait jusqu’en mars dernier, elle a pu travailler avec un groupe d’hommes pour de nombreux kilomètres, mais l’arrivée du vent à la mi-course a contrecarré ses plans. Au final, elle devançait par plus de quatre minutes Maria Zambrano de Calgary, AB (1h16min56) et Alex Castonguay de Boisbriand, QC (1h17min40). 

L’énergie et l’enthousiasme des participants et des spectateurs étaient palpables en cette matinée de célébrations pour la communauté de course à pied et les 45 organismes de bienfaisance du défi caritatif du Canada Running Series. L’événement a permis d’amasser près de 500 000$ pour différentes causes faisant de l’événement la plus grande course de collecte de fonds au Québec; la collecte de dons se poursuivra jusqu’au 31 mai. 

Le 21K fut suivi par les 10K et 5K de Montréal. Isaac Fraser (32min21) et Katherine Labelle Nguyen (40min23) ont remporté la victoire au 10 km. Mackenzie Bauer (15min35) et Nina Gunther (17min27) furent les gagnants du 5 km. 

La prochaine étape du Canada Running Series se déroulera le 17 juin prochain pour le Toronto Waterfront 10K, avant de se diriger vers l’Ouest pour le Demi-marathon de Vancouver le 25 juin. Les inscriptions et la collecte de fonds en-ligne sont ouvertes sur www.RunCRS.ca
 

Pour les résultats complets du 21K de Montréal voir sportstats.ca. Les photos seront affichées sur la page d’accueil de l’événement. 

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More than 3500 participants lined up to race on April 22 at the 21K in Montreal, the second stop of the 2023 Canada Running Series. 

The half marathon runners crisscrossed the Ste-Hélène and Notre-Dame islands of Parc Jean-Drapeau under almost ideal weather conditions: 13C and generally sunny. 

Mohamed Aagab from Campbellton, NB (1:05:42) and Elissa Legault from Mascouche, QC (1:12:25) confirmed their level of form at the start of the season by winning their races in convincing fashion. 

In the men’s category, a group of 6 runners broke away from the field after the kilometer 4, but by the 14th kilometer, the group was down to 3 runners: Mohamed Aagab, Alexander Maxwell from Ottawa and Moussab Hadout from Montreal. It was at the 18th kilometer that everything was decided, Aagab surged with a decisive burst to distance himself from the pack, a strategic decision that earned him the victory. 

Among the women, Elissa Legault led the race from start to finish without looking back. She was attempting to break the Quebec half marathon record that she held until this past March. She was able to work with a group of men for a lot of the race, but the wind picked up at the halfway point and her record attempt was foiled. In the end, she was ahead by more than four minutes on Maria Zambrano from Calgary, AB (1:16:56) and Alex Castonguay from Boisbriand, QC (1:17:40). 

The energy of the participants and spectators was palpable, considered a huge celebration for the local running community and the 45 charity partners of the Canada Running Series Charity Challenge. The event is fast approaching it’s goal of $500,000 raised for various causes, making the event the largest fundraising race in Quebec. Fundraising will continue until May 31st. 

The 21K was followed by the 10K and 5K in Montreal. Isaac Fraser (32:21)and Katherine Labelle Nguyen (40:23) won the 10 km. Mac Bauer (15:35) and Nina Gunther (17:27) were the winners of the 5 km. 

The next leg of the Canada Running Series takes place on June 17 for the Toronto Waterfront 10K, before heading west for the Vancouver Half Marathon on June 25. Online registration and fundraising is open at www.RunCRS.ca 

For complete 21K de Montréal results, here is the link to Sportstats. Photos will be posted soon on the event homepage. 

Announcing the Elite Field for the 2023 21K de Montréal

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

21K de Montréal – Liste des Départs Élites

Femmes/Women’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
F1 Elissa  Legault  Mascouche  QC
F2 Élisa Morin Montréal QC
F3 Alex Castonguay Boisbriand QC
F4 Laurianne Lepine Québec QC
F6 Jasmine Canse Montréal QC
F7 Alexandra  Hynes Ottawa  ON
F8 Maria  Zambrano  Calgary  AB
F9 Andrea Hill Ottawa ON
F10 Andreanne Sansoucy Boisbriand QC
F11 Emma Ollivier Montréal QC
F12 Angela  Maciocia Vaudreuil  QC 

Hommes/Men’s Start List

Bib Number First Name Last Name City Province
1 Mohamed Aagab Campbellton NB
2 Alexander Maxwell Ottawa ON
3 François Jarry Montréal QC
4 Jean-Samuel Lapointe Québec QC
5 Marc-Antoine Senneville Trois-Rivières QC
6 Mahamat Ali Hissein  Montréal QC
7 Arnaud Francioni Montréal QC
8 Daniel Fournier Waterloo ON
9 Félix-Antoine Bédard Montréal QC
10 Baptiste Broyer Montréal QC
11 Guillaume Dupire Montréal QC
12 Hugo Sigalas Montréal QC
13 Ianis Garé Montréal QC
14 Félix Côté Boucherville QC
15 Cal DeWolfe Halifax NS
16 Hédi Sonnallier Montréal QC
17 Liyang Wang Calgary AB
18 Rachem  Baghdad  Verdun QC
19 Nicolas  Paradis St Bruno  QC
20 Louis-Philippe Garnier Montréal QC
21 Alvaro Cueto Saint-Hubert QC
22 Benjamin Raymond Laval QC
23 Jacob Cameron Ottawa ON
24 Hadout Moussab Montréal QC

Sasha Gollish and Jeremy Coughler take the Titles at Spring Run-Off  

By | Elite Athletes | No Comments

Celebrating its 46th edition, the Spring Run-Off has raised $28,500 for Parkdale Community Foodbank  

TORONTO, April 1, 2023 — A sold-out crowd of 3,500 celebrated Opening Day for running in Toronto at the 46th annual Spring Run Off this morning in High Park, the first event of Canada Running Series 2023. Participants were drawn from every Canadian province and 14 American states. Sunny skies and 12c degree temperatures created ideal conditions for challenging the famous hills of the city’s most scenic park.  

Defending men’s champion, Jeremy Coughler of London, ON, put in a surge after the first climb up Centre Road at 3km, then cruised to victory ahead of Rob Kanko  (24:19) of Dundas and Halifax, Nova Scotia’s Alex Neuffer  (24:31). Coughler’s time was a scant four seconds slower than his 2022 victory lap. Sasha Gollish (26:58) showed her strength in the women’s race with a convincing triumph, 22 seconds ahead of Team Canada teammate Erin Teschuk (27:20), showing us why she will be representing Canada at the World Mountain & Trail Championships in Innsbruck-Stubia in June. Laura Desjardins was a distant third (28:10).  

But there were so many more winners on a memorable morning. To continue the tradition since its inception in 1978, Piper Dave MacGonigal led racers to the start lines of the 8K, 5K and Kids Run. Ubuntu Community served up a delicious pancake breakfast with proceeds going to both them and the High Park Nature Centre. Madawaska Maple Products and Marquest Sunglasses handed out further prizes and the primary charity of the day – the Parkdale Community Foodbank — took home $28,500 to help them feed 6,000 needy families in the Downtown and West End every month. Fundraising is still open until April 30th, with the final total expected to go well beyond $30,000.  Additionally, this year’s race supported Trans Canada Trail ($440), Trees for Life ($970) and Canada Running Series Foundation ($2870), bringing the 2023 fundraising grand total to $33,870 already. 

Back for a 7th year, the popular Kill The Hill challenge up the infamous 600m incline on Spring Road to the Finish Line had a new twist with winners being crowned “Heroes of The Hill” in the men’s, women’s and non-binary categories. After racing up the gut-busting, timed, final 365m, Jessey The Elf claimed first in the men’s 8K conquering the hill in 1 minute 12 seconds, with Katie Anderson crowned Women’s Superhero in 1:32. Tanya Hauck placed first in the non-binary race with a time of 2:12. In the 5K, Toronto’s Brittany Moran was first woman in 1:33, with Brett McGonigal finishing first for the men in 1:13, and Noah Simpson-Freeman taking the non-binary category with a time of 2:00.  

Collectively, the running community gathered together to line the hills of High Park and cheer on the participants. The boundless energy of Kardia Athletica, High Park Rogue Runners, Frontrunners, Pride Run, Parkdale Roadrunners, Parkdale Food Bank and RunTOBeer pushed participants through to the finish line all morning to celebrate a resounding success. 

Top Women: 

  1. Sasha Gollish – 26:58  
  2. Erin Teschuk – 27:20  
  3. Laura Desjardins – 28:10  
  4. Courtney Brohart – 28:59  
  5. Becca Brennan – 29:18  

Top Men: 

  1. Jeremy Coughler – 23:51  
  2. Rob Kanko – 24:19  
  3. Alex Neuffer – 24:31  
  4. Ian Guiden – 24:38  
  5. Kyle Grieve – 24:46  

For listing of all Overall and Age Category winners in both 8K & 5K click here. For complete, individual, searchable results click here.