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STWM Archives - Page 4 of 10 - Canada Running Series

Sep 26 2016
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Digital Champions Blog: Accepting Injury

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
September 26th, 2016 – By Ashley Dier

This is not the blog I planned on writing. I had a few ideas, tackling your first marathon, overcoming peak week or maybe a piece on staying confident on race day. Instead I’m staring down at an air cast with a bad case of the runners blues and a bit of denial over the fact that I won’t be running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon at all.

Potential stress fracture, the words every runner dreads hearing. Looking back over the past four months, the signs were there, but I was in denial. “Maybe it’s the shoes” I thought, convincing myself that the growing pain in my foot was a normal running ache. Then came the long run of 24k, the run that became this training cycles breaking point. Months of running on an injury caused gait changes which lead to compensation injuries elsewhere. Everything surfaced during those 24k.  

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was to be a stepping stone for me. In the spring of 2017 I am planning a fundraising run in memory of my Grandfather who lost his battle with cancer last year. In an effort to give back to those who made him more comfortable in his last weeks with us, I will run 80k in his memory and raise money for the cancer care centre where he stayed. It’s easy to see how this air cast has thrown a small hiccup in these plans.

Being told you cannot do something you love, in this case running, is difficult to hear both mentally and physically. We physically condition our lungs and our muscles to be able to run long distances, but we also condition ourselves mentally. That mental strength is what I find myself relying on lately. But it’s not all bad, focusing on the negatives doesn’t help anything or anyone so let’s discuss a few positives, shall we?

Nutrition: Lack of running allowed for me (forced me) to look at how I’m eating and how I can improve my diet. Eating more nutrient rich, bone healing foods and learning more about how certain foods help our bodies recover from injury has been very helpful.

Activity: Staying active has been super important for my mental health. This meant trying new things like swimming more and biking. I’ll confess, biking isn’t the easiest with a boot.

PMA:  Positive mental attitude! Perhaps the most important factor for me as been staying positive. From the beginning, I tried to not focus on the negatives, to accept the diagnosis, and to work on recovering.

I’ve never seen more runners on a daily basis than the past weeks of no running.This may not be the way I thought my first marathon would play out, but I’m okay with it. There are lessons in everything, I’m sure there’s one somewhere in my injury for me to discover. For now it’s support duty – cheering on fellow runners is something my crew takes very seriously. #crewlove

There will be other races, I will run a marathon one day and I will run 80k in the spring. For today and tomorrow and the day after that, it’s all about staying positive. I am grateful for the ability to run and move and for my health. I am grateful for my friends and family and for those I don’t know sending me healing vibes. This is all just a small chapter in my running story.

Keep an eye out for me cheering along the course October 16th!

About Ashley Dier: I’m a run leader with Parkdale Roadrunners and Academy Of Lions Run Crew. Running has become a way of life for me. I spend my days writing about running, health and fitness as a freelance writer. Through my writing I give back to the communities that have helped me, sharing the stories of others. I didn’t originally plan on running a marathon this year, but after losing my grandfather to cancer and seeing how hard he fought I was inspired to push myself. In the spring of 2017 I will run 80k as a fundraising memorial in memory of my grandfather. Follow Ashley on Twitter and Instagram. 

 

Sep 21 2016
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Ethiopia’s Fatuma Sado Returns to Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
September 21st 2016 – By Paul Gains

Ethiopian marathon star Fatuma Sado returns to the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in pursuit of the victory that eluded her a year ago.

Although she has won marathons in Beijing, Hamburg, Los Angeles and Warsaw she had to be content with setting a new personal best of 2:24:16 and a second place finish in Toronto last year. Clearly, she wants more on October 16th.

“Yes I was happy and I got a new best time in the marathon distance,” she says of her debut performance at this IAAF Gold Label race. “But winning is nice too.

“This year I am looking to just run a good race and use my shape now to try to win the race and be on the podium again. If it allows me to do this in a new best time then thanks to God; this is great.”

Photo credit: Photo Run

Photo credit: Photo Run

Earlier this year the 24 year old Sado – she turns 25 on October 11th, five days before the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon –  ran in the Lanzhou Marathon finishing 5th in a rather slow time of 2:38:39. But she points out that the Chinese city lies 1,521 metres above sea level and the weather was extremely hot and humid in contrast to what she can expect in Toronto.

“I can run faster than 2:24,” she declares. “I am sure in my body. But in this race in Toronto we will let God decide for the race if it is fast again.”

Since her return from China she has been preparing for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon with one of the strongest training groups in Ethiopia. The group of some 100 athletes meet several times a week to do long runs in the rural areas of Sendafa and Sululta outside Addis Ababa.

Amongst her training partners are Mare Dibaba, the 2015 World Champion and bronze medalist at the Rio Olympics, Amane Gobena, winner of the 2009 Toronto Waterfront marathon who has a 2:21:51 best, and the two time Ethiopian Olympian, Meskerem Assefa.

“My shape is very good; I feel strong and healthy currently,” Sado reveals. “I train with many top women in Ethiopia under Coach Haji Adillo. I learn from them every day and we all push each other very hard in training. So training is like competition every day almost.”

At present Sado lives in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital at an elevation of 2350 metres although she arrived from her home in Arsi when she was a teenager. At elementary school she had shown promise and was encouraged to go to Addis to pursue a running career.

“My family is from Arsi Region,” she says of the area that has produced such talented athletes as Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, Tirunesh and Genzebe Dibaba as well as Derartu Tulu. “I was born outside of Addis Ababa; and I came to Addis after I was finished my primary school levels to pursue a training group. I was in a running club in primary school and we ran races for the club under the school name.”

Like all Ethiopians, she grew up knowing the history of the nation’s distance running success. And she says the pride in these runners spilled over to her and her peers.

“Every legend of our sport from Ethiopia inspired me and still does daily and I hope I am inspiration to some young girls right now as well,” Sado declares.

Life in Addis revolves around training and recovery and she has ambitions to be amongst the very best in the world.  Family and friends are important too.

“I have brothers and sisters, but right now I am the only athlete,” she reveals. “I have two of my brothers living with me in Addis Ababa and they help to look after me for my training and meals and physio.

“I like the cinema, shopping and Ethiopian traditional coffee in a friend’s home. After training, all athletes are very, very tired so it is difficult to see other runners.”

Each time she is reminded of her Toronto experience last year she smiles. One of the highlights was joining other Ethiopian runners, past and present, at Rendezvous Restaurant on Toronto’s Danforth Avenue for an Ethiopian dinner.

“I liked the Habesha meal very much and the people were very nice to us,” she says adding, “Toronto is very nice and beautiful to me. Maybe this time I will go to see some sights.”

The field in Toronto will be loaded with talent. Shure Demise, the 2015 Toronto champion, now 20 years old, is also returning as the favourite. Her margin of victory a year ago was a mere 39 seconds.

Sado is unlikely to allow the youngster to escape easily this time around and if the conditions are right then maybe the women’s course record of 2:22:43 held jointly by Kenya’s Sharon Cherop (2010) and Koren Jelela (2011) could be challenged. After all, this is potentially the most competitive Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in history.

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For More Information and to join Fatuma Sado, Shure Demise and Canadian Olympian Krista DuChene on the starting line:

www.stwm.ca

 

Sep 19 2016
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Digital Champions Blog Post: Running: The Best Exploration Tool

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
September 19th, 2016 – By Amber Daughetry

When I first started running, I didn’t know where to go. I hadn’t heard of MapMyRun or joined a running group, so I would put on my shoes, step out my door in Cabbagetown, and see where I ended up. I ran up and down the Don Valley, along the Danforth, downtown and back, and to the beach. I learned that my place in Cabbagetown was far more connected to the rest of the city than I had realized – I could run everywhere.

Running is one of my favourite ways to travel, because it allows you to see sights in a completely new way. You’re going fast enough that you can cover some serious distance and you’re going slow enough that you have time to take in the views around you. When I was New York City last year, I got to know the area I was staying in really well because of my morning 5K runs. Starting my day running gave me ideas for places to visit later on in the day – I found lots of great shops, cafes and trails to come back to.

There’s actually an entire new industry that’s opened up based on this concept: running tours are available in countries all around the world. Fellow Digital Champion Dan Grant runs City Running Tours Toronto that shows visitors our city’s incredible history and culture. And if you’re planning a trip to Rome, Melborne, Buenos Aires or Copenhagen, you can sign up to get a tour of the city from a local runner, while getting a workout at the same time.

Having lived in Toronto for just over eight years, I’ve found that running has also been the best way to get to know the different neighbourhoods I’ve lived in. After starting my running journey in Cabbagetown, I moved to the west end and have now run all over the city. I’ve discovered how calming running through High Park can be and how some days there is nothing better than running by the lake at sunset. Running for me is so much more than exercise; it’s an opportunity to be a tourist in my own city, to discover something new, to check out communities I’ve never lived in, and to experience what different neighbourhoods are like when the seasons change. Running and exploring are now forever linked; going for a run means going on an adventure and being open to discovery, something I love and look forward to.

For your next run, try doing your own personal tour – throw on some running shoes and a good podcast and take off – let your feet guide you and see where you end up. If you’re looking at the city with fresh eyes, you just might be surprised at what you see along the way.

About Amber: In 2014 my mom convinced me to run a half marathon with her. It was such an amazing experience that I’ve been hooked on running ever since, completing two more half marathons and numerous shorter runs. I’m thrilled to be a digital champion for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and to join the incredible group of people who are running it this year — can’t wait to see you there! Connect with Amber on Twitter and Instagram.

Sep 16 2016
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Digital Champions Blog Post: In Praise of Solo Running

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
September 16th, 2016 – By Lauren Simmons

Most recreational runners know the appeal of training with a group: there’s familiar faces week after week, a shared sense of purpose, and there’s always someone to keep you company for those long runs, no matter your pace. Between traditional running groups like those hosted by The Running Room, and newer, more socially-driven groups like Parkdale Roadrunners and RunTOBeer, there’s likely a group for everyone. I’ve drifted in and out of running groups, myself, but I always come back to the reason I love running and why I started running in the first place: to be alone.

I started running when I was in university, living with a roommate during the school year and my family during the summers. Running was my way of carving out a little space for myself in my day or week, and that remains true to this day. I know I’m not the only runner who has sorted out tough stuff on the road; running helped me find peace and calm through my struggles with infertility and a miscarriage. No matter how hopeless things felt, my running shoes were always waiting for me, early in the morning, filled with possibility of a faster time and a new day. I needed to be with myself on those mornings.

Now that I’m a new mom, solo running is once again my way of having some breathing room in my day. After my daughter is asleep, no matter how long the day has been, I know I can have just a few minutes of time alone, with my music or podcasts or sometimes just my thoughts. For many women, returning to exercise after childbirth can be challenging and daunting, but for me, getting back to running was something I knew I had to do. The physical adjustments have been many, and my return has been slow and measured. I may never return to the paces of my running past. But running will always be there, simple and true. In the act of putting one foot in front of the other, over and over again, I find a place for my thoughts, a way to work through my challenges, and most importantly, I find space, for just myself.

The great thing about solo running is that no matter the time of day, I always see another runner, or two, or many. We share a nod or a hello, and we continue on our own paths. In a way, this is why I’m running for Nellie’s Shelter for Women and Children in this year’s STWM Half Marathon. It’s important for me to support families at times of crisis, as a way to let them know that they, like me, are not alone.

About Lauren: I’m thrilled to be returning for my third time running the STWM Half-Marathon, raising funds for Nellie’s Shelter for Women and Children. I’ve been running recreationally for about 15 years, having conquered the sub-25 5k and the sub-55 10k, and this will be my fourth half-marathon in pursuit of the elusive sub-2. As a new mum (my baby turns one year old the day before STWM), raising funds for Nellie’s is incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m looking forward to sharing the challenges and realities of training with a baby. When I can, I also cycle and swim, I’m a pacer with the RunTOBeer crew. Connect with Lauren on Twitter and Instagram.

Sep 15 2016
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East African Rivalry Renewed at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
September 15th 2016 – By Paul Gains

Less than a second separated Kenyans Ishhimael Chemtan and Gilbert Kirwa at last year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon with Chemtan’s sprint proving to be the difference. It earned him victory in 2:09:00.

Photo credit: Photo Run

The pair will renew their rivalry on Toronto October 16th as the IAAF Gold Label race gets underway at 8:45 a.m. precisely.

“I remember it was very cold during the 2015 race,” Chemtan said recently from his training base in Iten, Kenya. “My shape and preparation is better than last year. My best time is 2:08:20 and I believe I will be able to run better this year. I am looking to run under 2:08.”

Clearly, he has the ability to run much faster having beaten athletes with superior personal best times over the years. Kirwa, for instance, has run 2:06:14. In April of this year Chemtan finished 2nd in the Milan Marathon setting that 2:08:20 personal best time.

Both Chemtan and Kirwa have been preparing to do battle on the streets of Canada’s largest city with the latter eager to turn the tables after coming so close a year ago. Losing in a sprint was more than just a matter of pride. It was also rather costly. The winner takes home C$25,000 with the runner up claiming C$15,000.

“This year I am prepared well and I hope for a good performance,” says Kirwa. “I also see this year that there is a strong field in Toronto. If we can work together, with my competitors, I am convinced that we can run faster than last year. More so if the weather will be good and favourable then it will contribute to faster times.

“My expectation is to run good and go for the course record in Toronto [2:07:05]. Training is going well and I tested myself in the Tilburg 10miles race in the Netherlands. I am in the right shape for Toronto.”

Kirwa finished 4th in Tilburg with a time of 45:40 and that is certainly an indication he is ready to duel with his compatriot again. The prize purse is a great attraction as he looks after his four brothers and three sisters. In addition, he has started a family of his own.

“I have a family with two boys,” he adds. “I don’t have any other business apart from investments. I am a landlord to tenants who make monthly payments to me.”

When he is not busy fulfilling his landlord duties, training, traveling to races and spending time with his family he enjoys an occasional game of snooker and watching movies. As the Toronto race approaches he will focus even more on getting as much rest as possible between training sessions. The course record would be a handsome reward for Kirwa and his rivals.

There is a C$35,0000 course record bonus, that escalates to C$50,000 if the time is under 2:06:00. The existing record of 2:07:05 has been held by Ethiopia’s Deressa Chimsa since 2013. It has withstood the challenge of some excellent distance runners since then.

Coincidently, it is one of Chimsa’s training partners who carries Ethiopian hopes at this year’s

Seboka Dibaba, Photo Credit: Photo Run

Seboka Dibaba. Photo credit: Photo Run

Toronto race. Seboka Dibaba – no relation to the famous Dibaba sisters, Tirunesh, Ejegayehu and Genzebe –  has also beaten the 2:07 mark with a personal best time of 2:06:17. More recently he finished 2nd at the 2016 Mumbai marathon in 2:09:20. He says his focus is entirely on running well in Toronto.

“I am physically doing good now,” says Dibaba, who is married and has a young daughter. “I am training well with full energy and a healthy body. I want to be highly competitive among the tough athletes competing in Toronto.”

All three of these leading contenders say they prefer to follow the pacemakers through 30 kilometres before contemplating a decisive move. Those pacemakers will be given instructions to set the desired pace at a technical meeting the day before the marathon. That’s when a clear weather picture will be available.  It is a given that Kirwa, especially, won’t want to see the race come down to a sprint again and will no doubt want a fast early pace.

Race organizers have put together a field worthy of an IAAF Gold Label and should the conditions be favourable, and if the pacemakers are able to tow the contenders through the first 30 kilometres, there is always the chance of a new course record. And that would be most welcomed by the thousands of spectators and participants who share the enthusiasm for this competition. It would be a blessing to the man who does break that record.

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For More Information:

www.stwm.ca

 

Sep 13 2016
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Olympian Krista DuChene to Race Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
September 12th 2016 – By Paul Gains

After realizing her dream of representing Canada at the Rio Olympic Games, marathoner Krista DuChene has chosen the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon for her next challenge.

The IAAF Gold Label race is set for October 16th and, if that seems rather soon following the Olympics, DuChene disagrees.

“Part of me felt I can wait until I am forty to run my next marathon,” says the 39 year old from Brantford, Ontario. “But January seemed too far away.”

DuChene laughs at her witticism, but since recording her Krista DuChene Blog 2personal best time of 2:28:32 at the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon – making her the second fastest Canadian of all time behind friend and foe Lanni Marchant (2:28:00) – she should obviously be taken seriously.

“We are taking more risks,” she says of her approach to the upcoming race. “I am not going to just do it just to run. We are taking more risks in that there is, obviously, not a lot of time to recover from Rio and jump into it.

“Having said that, I felt really fresh after my recovery from Rio and mentally didn’t feel like my season was over. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that the last marathon I did was my qualifying in April 2015 (2:29:38 Rotterdam). Some other athletes had to do spring marathons to qualify. I didn’t have that fatigue behind me.”

DuChene and her long-time coach, Rick Mannen, were pleased with her performance in Rio. Finishing 35th in the Olympic marathon is no small feat especially since she ran 2:35:29 in searing heat. Most of the women’s field ran five or six minutes slower than their best owing to the twists and turns which the course presented along with the weather conditions.

The mother of three was also delighted to experience life in the Olympic village where she shared an apartment with Canadian 10,000m record holder, Natasha Wodak, an archer and five members of the Canadian women’s basketball team.

“I definitely felt old compared to everyone else. but that wasn’t going to stop me from enjoying the experience,” she reveals. “To have three meals cooked for me every day, that was a treat in itself.

“I got to know some of the athletes. I had what I wanted to do in a day. If I met up with other people great, but I didn’t feel I needed to do something with everyone every day. I went to the 50k race walk and to the track a couple of nights. It was quite nice.”

Along with ‘Coach Rick’, her husband Johnathan, her children, her sister and two brothers were on hand to greet her at the finish. They had her walking for recovery right after the finish line.

DuChene knows she will have to be at her best for the Toronto race as it doubles as the Canadian National Championship. The next generation of Canadian women, who have been inspired by her running, are lining up to compete against her.  Kenya based Tarah Korir, Rachel Hannah, the Pan Am bronze medalist and fastest Canadian this year, along with Leslie Sexton of London, Ontario, Dayna Pidhoresky of Vancouver, and Erin Burrett of Nanaimo have all confirmed their entries.

The lure of a Canadian championship medal has been sweetened too by the prize purse. The first Canadian will earn $5000 with $3,000 and $2,000 going to the silver and bronze medalists, respectively.

It is yet to be determined whether Athletics Canada will select a team for the London 2017 IAAF World Championships from this race. They have not announced their standards which are normally superior to the IAAF standard of 2:45:00. The qualifying window opened in January of this year and all of these Canadian athletes will be keen to wear the maple leaf in London.

ij_tw10-16_b0114“I don’t have a set time goal yet,” DuChene declares, “I think it’s safe to say I’d like to go under 2:30 and obviously be on the podium for top Canadian finishers. I am not sure what kind of field there will be internationally, but I know there are going to be some strong women from Canada which makes a great national championship.

“I would like to run at the World Championships next summer so this provides an opportunity between Rio and London to go for a faster time.”

As she pushes forty, the inevitable talk of retirement from competition raises itself but she dismisses it with wisdom and experience.

“I don’t know exactly, I have always felt I am bit different from most athletes because I came from a university hockey background,” she explains. “So I have never felt I have been at this for so long. I think when there is no joy or motivation or fun in getting out the door to run 25 or 30k I am going to know that will be the time when I will start running recreationally. So age doesn’t matter to me.

“I look at people like Meb Keflezighi and Jo Pavey and Bernard Lagat. Those guys are still running well in their 40’s so they are an inspiration for me. And with the kids in school full time it’s much easier because I drop them off, I go to the gym, I go to the pool, I go for my run, get treatment. Lunch, nap, shower and pick them up again. So there are no interruptions in the day for me.”

The freedom to train as she sees fit is something she has only enjoyed since her youngest entered school full time last year. Invigorated by her Olympic success, DuChene will no doubt challenge not only for a place amongst the top Canadians but also amongst the very strong international field.

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For More Information and to join Krista DuChene and 2015 STWM champion Shure Demise (Ethiopia): www.STWM.ca

Header image photo credit: Photo Run

Sep 12 2016
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Digital Champions Blog: How to Stay Motivated with 5 Weeks to Go!

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
By Karen Simpson
TORONTO September 12th, 2016

How will you feel in 5 weeks? In that time, we will all be finished our goal race, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon! But right now, we are doing our best to deal with the longest of our long runs and I have decided to write a post about how to stay motivated.

They say training is the hard part and the race is the reward. If this is true, and I believe it is, then we are currently in the hardest part of our training plan. We all need a little reminder about how and why to stay motivated. Here are 10 creative approaches I’ve been using this summer:

Raise money for charity. This has been a great motivator. It’s no longer just about you, it’s about all the people who you can help and all the donors who have helped you to help others. Be accountable to that and use it as positive motivation to continue your training. It’s not too late to pick a charity! A lot of money can be raised in 5 weeks. Check out all the official charities you can fundraise for in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

Hold that moment. If you track your training runs using a GPS device, go through the downloads. How has your pace improved? How has your distance improved? Often we are so consumed with where we have to go that we forget how far we’ve come. Pat yourself on the back and take a few minutes to review just how far you’ve come in training in just a few months.

Run in a group. Run alone. Mix it up. Personally I’ve learned to love both and my training during the week consists of group runs and my weekend runs are typically alone. This year, I have run with 9 different groups, met many new friends and I get something different from each group. I’ve been challenged in interval training by one group, discovered the joys of running new routes in different parts of the city with others, and met people from all over who run my pace. Just go on Facebook and search running groups, there are many.

Smile. Even when you don’t feel like it. While you’re running, smile. When you smile you release chemicals in your body that make you happier. When you smile and other people see you smile they usually smile back and this sends a whole bunch of good vibes into the world. Sometimes it’s not all about performance, but about joy and let’s face it, when we’re happier, we end up performing better.

Go back to the start. Why are you doing this race? What or who was your motivator? You must have really wanted a challenge in your life and now is the time to remember just why you chose to put yourself out there with this goal. If there’s a ‘who’ that motivated you, call them.

Just run 1 kilometer.  I’ve struggled with the heat as I’m sure many have this summer. Several of my runs have started by committing to run just 1 kilometer at a time. At some point, I realized the effort of getting dressed, finding time and getting my butt out the door was harder than actually completing the distance required. Using this technique has helped me complete many of my training runs.

Have people in your life who push you out the door. Tell them they have a role, even give them a title like ‘Kick my butt cheerleader’ and tell them to ignore you if you complain about running, make faces at them or you act like you don’t like them anymore.

Count-down to your taper. Prior to any big adventure, there comes a point where I count down the number of sleeps until I’m on the plane. Look ahead in your schedule and figure out how many runs until you start your taper! If you have a 16 week training plan you’re in the final lap of your training. One foot in front of the other and do whatever you need to do to keep your head in the game.

Get more sleep! Rest and recovery are two of the most important elements to get you to the start line. Getting to the start line injury free is your goal right now. Rest will also help you maintain a better attitude during your training.

Create 3 goals for race day. One easily doable goal, a reasonable stretch goal and a goal that will have even you shocked on race day. Over the next 5 weeks assume everything is going to be perfect on race day and finish off your final weeks of training based on the 3rd goal … you might just surprise yourself.

About Karen Simpson: I’m Karen and I’ll be running to raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. I have watched an impressive young man deal with the challenges of this disease and it really put things into perspective. We are blessed to be able to run, so let’s never forget that! There are tons of great charities to represent through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge this year. I want you to pick a charity, get a tutu and join me for some fun on October 16th. I started running in January 2013 after climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. I fell in love with climbing and wanted to train like a mountaineer — turns out most of them have distance running as part of their training. Since then, I have done a lot of running and climbing, including 5 mountains around the world and I just returned from Mt. Elbrus in Russia. Races are my motivation and I’ve completed over 60 so far! STWM was my first full marathon in 2014 and I recently ran my first ultra-marathon (53km) to celebrate turning 53. Let’s get this party started! Connect with Karen on Twitter and Instagram. 

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

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
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.

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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