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STWM Archives - Page 7 of 10 - Canada Running Series

Oct 22 2015
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Bedard Accomplishes Triple Toronto Waterfront Marathon. By Paul Gains

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO October 22nd 2015. Runners waiting nervously for the start of last weekend’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon had little idea that one man amongst them was about to successfully complete his third successive run around the 42km course.

Jean-Paul Bedard stood next to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne when she fired the starter’s pistol looking haggard and pale then joined her in the second wave. They would run the first five kilometres together before the 49 year old Torontonian pushed on, completing a staggering total of 126.6 kilometres.

Bedard was running to raise awareness of campaigns to combat sexual assault. As he ran with the Premier, the pair discussed ways Bedard could be part of the Liberal government’s #ItsNeverOk campaign. The Premier was interested in having a male voice and she could not find a more articulate nor, sadly, a more appropriate candidate.

When he was 12 years old two men took Bedard to a ravine and raped him. For years he suffered psychological issues including depression, drug and alcohol addiction. He attempted suicide.

Two years ago he finally revealed to his wife Mary-Anne and their adult son what had happened to him. He entered a treatment centre for victims of sexual violence. Running, he says gave him back his life.

STWM15_JP Bedard Night Running

Photo Credit: Edison Yao

Initially he was going to embark on his epic run around midnight Saturday.  But when Premier Wynne’s office confirmed she’d be delighted to run with him it meant he had to alter plans slightly for security purposes.

“I started a bit earlier,” he recalled. “It is not a great thing to have a lot of gap time between marathons. I had no down time between 1 and 2 and I planned a very short gap time between 2 and 3 but because of this we had to go a bit longer. And then when we saw the weather forecast and how cold it was going to be we realized it was not going to end well.”

He laughs at that statement. The temperature was hovering below freezing when he began with only his wife in support around 10:30p.m. Saturday night. A photographer, Edison Yao, accompanied them recording the adventure. Bedard says he often experiences a dodgy stomach and had to be careful with his refueling during the race.

“I ate my big meal at noon Saturday and then had some toast later in the afternoon before I went out,” he continues. “Then it was just gels and PowerBars every once in a while. And between each of the marathons Mary-Anne gave me rice cakes and peanut butter.

“I was trying to run each of the first two marathons in 4 hours 15 to 25 minutes – in that  range. That would include the time of running, the time of running towards a car to get something to eat and then time to get to the start because the start and finish aren’t in the same place.”

Twice he stopped to do live television interviews. Mostly he ran on the roads. He chose to run the first ‘lap’ alone but was joined on the second by runners of different abilities.

“The hardest part of this whole thing was getting the first one done,” he says. “I had my phone on me and it was just beeping the whole time I was running. There were messages coming in all night.

“The second one went really well. I finished that and I got in around 7:30 a.m. and then I got the second medal put on me. Then we had to try to make our way to an area to get changed. I was quite wet from running in the damp for so long.”

Shivering and suffering from the effects of having run 84 kilometres in freezing cold temperatures he had to be ready to meet the Premier before security was further heightened. When he reported to the official start with the 26,000 other runners he was warmly greeted by the Premier.

“I was walking towards her and she saw me,” he recalls. “I was completely pasty, my lips were blue and I was shaking and wrapped in blankets. She had her staff around her and she pushed them aside and just wrapped her arms around me and said ‘we have got to warm this guy up.’”

Photo Credit: Todd Fraser/Canada Running Series

Photo Credit: Todd Fraser/Canada Running Series

After she and her security team reached the 5 kilometre mark he ran with another victim of sexual assault, named Athena. This young lady was a ‘friend of a friend.’ She had been sexually assaulted while running in a Toronto park just two months before the marathon. And she was tormented by the ordeal.

“Every time she ran it would bring up all the issues with the sexual assault,” Bedard explains. “So I said ‘why don’t you run with me and I promise I will stay with you.’ She was worried about slowing me down. I said ‘I will have run two marathons, it’s not about time, it’s about getting it done.’ After the Premier pealed off Athena and I ran together.

“There were points where I wanted to stop and there were points where she wanted to. Then we hit a really low point after about 22km. We were on an isolated part of the course on Bayview. It’s quiet there. It’s nice to run on but when you are suffering it’s not the place to be.”

As they slowed to a walk and contemplated dropping out, a group of runners dressed as characters from the Justice League comics literally came to the rescue. They recognised Bedard and offered support.

“They were supporting us and so I just said to Athena ‘listen I am not crossing that finish line without you,” Bedard continues. “If it takes us five hours to get through this last two k it takes us five hours, I don’t care. We are crossing this line together. So stop crying and let’s not talk about this again.”

Bedard texted Canada Running Series staff to keep them abreast of their location.

“When we came up Bay Street with 300 metres to go I looked over at Athena we both started to cry,” Bedard reveals. “We crossed the finish line holding hands with the ‘Superheroes’ right behind us.”

Photo Credit: Canada Running Series/Christine Spingola

Photo Credit: Canada Running Series/Christine Spingola

“It was the most emotional thing. We wrapped our arms around each other hugged and kissed. It was a special moment. It was exactly why I was doing this.”

With three finisher’s medals hanging around his neck he set about answering the thousands of messages sent from victims and supporters around the world. Three days after the run he was still dealing with them. People were asking where they could donate money.

Running four consecutive Toronto Waterfront Marathons is not in the cards, Bedard says. But fundraising is very much on his mind for 2016.

“I have talked to Alan (Brookes) about this,” Bedard says. “In New York they have Fred’s Team (named after New York Marathon co-founder Fred Lebowitz). I would like to find a way of bringing more people in and make a team. I want to raise awareness while tapping into a huge way of raising funds.”

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Oct 18 2015
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Chemtan and Demise Emerge Victorious in Toronto. By Paul Gains

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

DSC_2869TORONTO October 18th 2015. On his second visit to Canada Ishhimael Chemtan of Kenya won the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon today in a time of 2:09:00 narrowly outsprinting his countryman Gilbert Kirwa who finished a second behind.

Chemtan was 3rd in the 2014 Ottawa Marathon.

The defending Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront champion, Laban Korir, struggled with a stitch at 35 kilometres faded badly before recovering to battle his way back into 3rd place in 2:09:20.

Kirwa, who has three times dipped under 2:07 in his career was not disappointed with his narrow loss in this IAAF Gold Label race.

“I was very confident that I could win the race but maybe the other guy has prepared himself very well,” Kirwa said. “We used to train together a long time ago so he knows me very well and also I know him very well.”

The affable Kirwa agreed to act as translator for the victor who preferred to speak Swahili rather than English at the post race press conference.

Defending champion Laban Korir also of Kenya suffered a stitch at roughly 35km and after fading from the picture recovered to amount a fast finishing charge. He finished 3rd in 2:09:20.

DSC_2938The women’s race was won by Ethiopian sensation Shure Demise who ran away from the world class field to win in 2:23:37. Behind her the course record holder Kenya’s Sharon Cherop and Fatuma Sado of Ethiopia, battled elbow to elbow finishing in the same time of 2:24:16.

Officials took several hours to study the finish line video before deciding they had tied and will each receive $12,000 prize money.

Conditions were less than ideal with temperatures hovering around freezing point at the start and so it was only Canada’s Eric Gillis and Lanni Marchant among the elites who achieved what they had set out to do timewise:  finish under the Olympic qualifying standard.

Gillis ran 2:11:31 to finish 7th overall while Lanni Marchant was on pace to beat her own Canadian record (2:28:00) until 30km when her left calf cramped once again. It has been a problem throughout her marathoning career. But she was all smiles realising she  has now got Olympic qualifying standards in both the 10,000m and the marathon.

“It feels really good,” she concluded. “I came in here with DSC_2980less pressure on me. I tried to go for my record and I was good until about 30k then, like typical me, the left calf went and I was running on borrowed time at that point.

“It was the Rio standard that was the ultimate goal and if I got the record that was going to be icing on the cake. I came pretty close. I came around the bend (with 250 metres remaining) and thought ‘you gotta be kidding me but I am well under the Olympic standard and that’s a good place to be especially in 2012. I was almost there and now for certain I am going to be there and I get to my pick of events.”

Both Gillis and Marchant were well supported by their respective families as well as by the crowd to whom they have become certifiable stars since racing in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Indeed, Gillis’s five fastest times have all come on this course and Marchant’s Canadian record was set here two years ago.

DSC_2894Gillis and his training partner, Reid Coolsaet, who was busy driving to and from the airport on behalf of the event, both have the Olympic standard. Barring two other athletes achieving the time, Rio will mark Gillis’ third Olympic team. Amongst distance runners only Kevin Sullivan, Leah Pells and Paul Williams ran in three Olympic games.

A year ago Gillis ran a personal best of 2:11:21. Now at the age of 35 he is still showing good form.

“I probably got Plan ‘C’” Gillis joked afterwards. “If I was starting with plan ‘A’ would probably go to break 2:11 plan ‘B’ a personal best and then plan ‘C’ 2:11:30 something right where I have run before. Feels good. Thats more than acceptable to do that here today.”

“It feels great to have a qualifying time under my belt and I wanted to run sub 2:12 and get it by at least a minute and I did that. So what I could control I controlled and I hit the time that was in the ball park I wanted. It’s a good feeling right now to execute and get that first checkmark.”

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Oct 15 2015
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Train With Grains Recipe: Chickpea, Barley and Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Feta

By | Community Leaders, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
Train With Grains Recipe: Chickpea, Barley and Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Feta. By Heather Gardner. 

This year we’re teaming up with the Grain Farmers of Ontario to bring you the best pre and post-run recipes to fuel your marathon training! Each week we’ll feature a new and unique recipe from one of our CRS Community Leader Ambassadors. Our final recipe is a fresh, tasty and nutritious salad from Heather Gardner. Do you have a recipe you’d like to share? Share a photo on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TrainWithGrains for your chance to win a “Good in Every Grain” Prize Pack valued at $50!

Barley isn’t as well know as oats or wheat, but it’s a great addition to many grain-based dishes. Did you know? Barley appears in plenty of baked goods, and barley flakes can be eaten cooked like rolled oats! And of course, barley malt, made by soaking and drying barley kernels is a key ingredient in the production of beer! Here’s a fresh, tasty and nutritious salad originally posted on thekitchn.com that uses pearl barley as it’s main ingredient.

Makes 2 servings as a main dish, 4 servings as a side dish

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini11222555_10156155506175475_7606881267581100037_o

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided, plus more for salting water

1/3 cup pearl barley

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 cups (or 1 15-ounce can) chickpeas, drained

2 tablespoons feta cheese

Freshly ground pepper

Trim the ends of the zucchini and cut in half crosswise. Using a mandolin or a knife, cut the zucchini into thin matchstick strips. Place strips in a colander in the sink in drain excess moisture. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and massage lightly with your hands to evenly disperse the salt. Let sit as long as it takes to prepare the rest of the salad.

Next, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and add the barley. Cook, stirring occasionally, until barley is cooked through, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

12087705_10156155506280475_8425192442077811610_oWhile the barely is boiling, make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, barley and about half of the dressing. Once cooled, stir and transfer to a serving bowl. Crumble the feta over the top and serve.

It’s the FINAL week to WIN! Share your favourite pre or post run snack or meal on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TrainWithGrains for your chance to win a $50 “Good In Every Grain” prize pack! 

Oct 08 2015
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“Bridge The Gap” Urban running Crew Movement comes to Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO October 8th 2015. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is excited to welcome the “Bridge The Gap” urban running crew movement to this year’s event, and have them as an important part of our 26th edition. A total of 29 crews from 13 cities in 7 countries, representing more than 300 runners, will descend on “The 6” for the October 15th-18th weekend. Bridge The Gap Toronto is being hosted by the city’s largest crew, Parkdale Roadrunners (pictured above), with the marathon and half-marathon as a focal part of the experience.

Now a decade old since its beginning with Bridge Runners in New York City and Run Dem Crew in London, England, the movement is dominated by millennials in big cities from Berlin to Amsterdam, Paris to LA, and is a powerful force in driving the current running boom and re-shaping it. BTG members bring both new energy and new values.

Most important, the movement is about “community”. It is about sharing and caring, and actively engaging to shape the kind of cities millennials want to live in. Participants eschew the traditional name and format of “running club” in favour of “crew”, who welcome all, most-often with no membership fees to be paid – “everyone welcome; no-one left behind.” According to Charlie Dark, the charismatic founder of Run Dem Crew, “‘crew’ is about family first and foremost and the running is actually secondary. Crew is about supporting and elevating everyone in your crew, particularly newcomers, beginners, and making everyone the best that they can be.”  It is also about using running and social media – especially Instagram – as a vehicle for creative expression, and for discovering your city, connecting with it, often at night. It’s about #crewlove, and members are “bonded together by similar values and perspectives on physical activity, community and culture,” says the Parkdale credo. Charlie Dark, who recently gave a TEDx presentation at Canary Wharf, will be speaking about the movement and its values at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon [Free] Expo, on the Main Stage at 1:30pm on Saturday, October 17th.  “You have to have style and learn to be original,” says Charlie. Some of this original style is nicely captured in RDC member, Steve Lennon’s series of VLOGs he’s produced on the road to Toronto Waterfront: http://ow.ly/STTde

Alan's Journal - Run Dem Crew

Run Dem Crew

“We’re thrilled to play a part in hosting #BTGYYZ and the Bridge The Gap weekend in Toronto,” said Race Director Alan Brookes. “Our mission at Canada Running Series is ‘building community through running,’ so this is a perfect fit. We also share BTGs values of inclusion and innovation and ‘style’. Several of our CRS event medals this year have featured bridges, as bridges connect and unite us.” The STWM 2015 Finisher’s medals feature the Humber Bay Bridge near the 12km turnaround on the course.  “We are also pleased to have an Official Race Cap #STWM from Montreal company Ciele, who are a part of crew scene in Canada,” added Brookes.

“Hosting the first Canadian Bridge The Gap is an honour and privilege,’ said Steven Artemiw, co-founder of Parkdale Roadrunners. “ We are so excited to host a few hundred members of our international running family here in Toronto. We are flattered so many of them are making the trip from Europe as well as across the USA. This is an opportunity for us to showcase what a great multi-cultural hub Toronto is, with a thriving running scene to boot. We have numerous events planned through the weekend, but the highlights will certainly be Sunday’s race and our post-race party. Look out for that on-course Cheer Squad too!”

The on-course Cheer Squad is a key feature of the movement and BTG gatherings. As Charlie Dark says, “If you can’t run you MUST cheer.” Cheer Squads are famous for their music, inspirational signs and confetti that are all part of ‘community’ and supporting fellow runners!

Marathon weekend in The 6 will begin on Thursday evening 15th at 7pm, with a Marathon Flame Torch Relay from Alexander the Great Parkette on the Danforth, led by Parkdale Roadrunners, and including several of Toronto’s other key crews:

Everyone is encouraged to join in the Bridge The Gap Toronto experience by using the hashtags #BTGYYZ and #STWM.

For further information on Bridge the Gap Toronto, see bridgethegaptoronto.com and
parkdaleroadrunners.com

For entry, spectator information and information on Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront marathon see http://www.STWM.ca

Oct 07 2015
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2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Start List Released

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TORONTO October 7th 2015. There are just eleven days remaining until the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Elite Start List is revealed below.

Several of the elite men are capable of challenging Deressa Chimsa’s course record of 2:07:05 while Sharon Cherop’s course record of 2:22:43 could be under threat by athletes – including the star Kenyan herself!

This IAAF Gold Label race will double as the Canadian Championships also. For many athletes this is a chance to beat the Rio Olympic qualifying standards.

Race fans all over the world will have access to the live broadcast of this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon via Athletics Canada TV! Our live stream broadcast will begin at 8:15am and can be accessed via our homepage at http://STWM.ca

Real-time runner tracking will be available on our homepage so you can follow your favourite runners throughout their race. Just visit http://STWM.ca on race day and you’ll see the link!

You can also join the conversation on race day and interact with our Twitter Team, including @RunCRS, Pan Am Games Bronze medalist Sasha Gollish @SGollishRuns and the team at @CanadianRunning! Use hashtag #STWM on Twitter and Instagram to see your content live on our Social Hub: http://ow.ly/T7SYw

Men’s Start List

BIB NAME COUNTRY AGE RECENT PERFORMANCES NAME ON BIB
1 KORIR, Laban KEN 30 2:07:54 Paris 2015 KORIR
2 SOME, Peter KEN 25 2:05:38 Paris 2013 SOME
3 KIPYEGO, Michael KEN 32 2:06:58 Tokyo 2014 KIPYEGO
4 KIRWA, Gilbert KEN 30 2:07:44 Paris 2015 KIRWA
5 ASEFA, Belay ETH 23 2:07:10 Hamburg 2014 ASEFA
6 CHEMOSIN, Robert KEN 26 2:08:05 Warsaw 2015 CHEMOSIN
7 CHEMTAN, Ishhimael KEN 24 2:08:25 Ljublijana 2014 CHEMTAN
8 KIPTOO, Edwin KEN 22 Debut. 60:11 Half RAK 2015 KIPTOO
9 EL QADY, Najim MOR 35 63:26 Marrakech Half, 2015 EL QADY
10 GILLIS, Eric CAN 35 2:11:28 STWM 2011 ERIC
11 RIZZO, Patrick USA 32 2:13:42 Houston 2012 RIZZO
12 KANGOGO, Kip CAN 36 2:15:35, Victoria, BC 2013 KIP
14 JIBRIL, Sami CAN 26 Debut SAMI
15 MOORE, Joe USA 32 2:18:22 Duluth 2015 MOORE
16 CANCHANYA, Wily David PER 24 Debut 64:51 STWM Half 2014 CANCHANYA
17 BOWEN, Mathew KEN 32 2:10:57 Rennes, France 2013 BOWEN

Women’s Start List

BIB NAME COUNTRY AGE RECENT PERFORMANCES NAME ON BIB
F1 CHEROP, Sharon KEN 31 2:22:28 Berlin 2013, 2:22:43 STWM 2010 Champion CHEROP
F2 DEMISE, Shure ETH 19 2:20:59 Dubai 2015 DEMISE
F3 SADO, Fatuma ETH 24 2:26:25 Warsaw 2015 SADO
F4 CHEPCHIRCHIR, Flomena KEN 34 2:23:00 Frankfurt 2013 CHEPCHIRCHIR
F5 HABTAMU, Atsede ETH 27 2:24:25 Berlin 2011 HABTAMU
F6 MARCHANT, Lanni CAN 31 2:28:00 STWM 2013 LANNI
F7 DAVIES, Mary NZL 33 2:28:56 STWM 2012 Champion DAVIES
F8 DRAZDAUSAKAITE, Rasa LTU 34 11th World Championship, Beijing 2015 DRAZDAUSAKAITE
F9 JEPKOECH, Monica KEN 30 2:30:53 Beyrouth 2014, 69:44 Paris 2014 JEPKOECH
F10 LABEAUD, Natasha CAN 28 2:35:33 STWM 2014 NATASHA
F12 KORIR, Tarah CAN 28 Debut. 73:39 Prague Half 2015 TARAH
F14 SEXTON, Leslie CAN 28 2:39:34 Virginia Beach 2015 LESLIE
F15 JOHNS, Rhiannon CAN 25 2:40:24 Birmingham, AL 2014 RHIANNON
F16 DE LA CRUZ, Jovana PER    23 Debut DE LA CRUZ
F17 ARIAS, Kellys COL 26 Debut. 74:43 Palmira Half 2014 ARIAS
F18 VAIL, Eva CZE 31 2:45:54 Victoria, BC 2014 VAIL

 

Oct 06 2015
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Kenya’s Peter Some Looking for Redemption at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. By Paul Gains

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
Photo Credit: Photo Run

Photo Credit: Photo Run

TORONTO October 6th 2015. A year ago Peter Some found himself at the front thirty kilometres into the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon battling the cold and windy elements. Confident and empowered by the appearance of his rivals the Kenyan pushed on expecting to win the race.

But within the next two kilometres his compatriot Laban Korir appeared on his shoulder and then went on to a surprise victory in 2:08:15.

Some faded to 6th place in a time of 2:10:07. Despite being in top shape he left Canada’s largest city very disappointed with his performance vowing to learn from the experience.

The 25 year old will have his chance at revenge as the pair will renew their rivalry at this year’s event October 18. The Toronto event will be, for the first time,  an IAAF Gold Label race.

“Like last year, my fitness is very good,” Some reports from his training camp in Kenya.  “Last year I was pushing too early.  I am more experienced now and hope to be better.

“I felt very good and decided to push it. Later on I realized that it was too early. I was disappointed that I lost. I don’t care who was beating me I just wanted to win myself.”

Some has a terrific personal best of 2:05:38 from the 2013 Paris Marathon making him the fastest man in the elite field in Toronto. And any man who can keep up in training with world record holder Dennis Kimetto and Geoffrey Mutai, a Boston and New York winner, is himself a talented athlete.

He comes by his gift honestly, after all, he is the son of the great Some Muge the man credited with starting the Kenyan dominance at the 1983 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Gateshead, UK. There he earned the bronze medal the country’s first individual medal in cross country. Though he died when Some was a child, the son remembers he and his brothers being encouraged to be a runner also.

“My father was a famous and well known athlete in Kenya,” he declares. “He became national champion in 10,000m and cross country in the years 1982, 1983 and 1984.

“Unfortunately, my dad passed away when I was eight years old. My mother encouraged me to run and she always watched and inspired me when I was running in training or races.”

Photo Credit: Photo Run

Photo Credit: Photo Run

Inspiration these days comes closer to home. Some and his wife have a two year old daughter named Sheerlen Jebet and he runs to ensure a bright future for his family.  The winner’s prize in Toronto is $20,000. Again, he also has his eyes on Deressa Chimsa’s course record of 2:07:05 and the accompanying $35,000 bonus that comes with it.

Until this week Chimsa had been expecting to run also but an injury has hampered his preparations and he withdrew at the beginning of the week. Some knows the field will be strong, nonetheless.

“Like in past years Toronto always has some great athletes running,” Some says of the field he will face. “I hope we can work together and do something special. I was happy with the 2:07:22 I ran in Tokyo (February 22, 2015). I tried my best and hope to improve now in Toronto.”

The Kenyan star, when he is not training or caring for his family, enjoys following Manchester United Football Club with England International and club captain Wayne Rooney his favourite player. This is something he had just learned he has in common with Toronto Race Director, Alan Brookes.

“Yes, I have watched them play and I am happy with most of their performances,” Some says. “I did not know (Brookes was also a fan). But it’s great that we share this. I watch the games mostly at home or in the training camp with my friends and training mates.”

Preparations for Toronto have been going as well as expected and he has interrupted his buildup only once and that was to race the Chemususu Dam Half Marathon in Kenya two weeks ago. He finished 3rd in a strong field that included other leading Kenyans preparing for a fall marathon. Now he begins the tail off in mileage to ensure he is primed and fit for the battle with Korir as well as an outstanding support cast – any of whom could be dangerous on the day.

For a man who has seen much of the world he admits that he takes his meals in the hotel and rarely ventures outside except for press functions and to race.

“I like traveling, but when I am traveling for a marathon, there is no time to see the city. When my career is over I hope I can visit Toronto again to do some sightseeing,” he offers.

“We eat at the hotel and did not do any visits. I liked the Toronto marathon, that why I am happy to be back again.”

Of course he will be much happier if he can cross the finish line first on October 18th.

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For More Information:

www.stwm.ca

 

 

 

Oct 05 2015
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The Importance of a Support Crew on Race Day

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO October 6th 2015. Digital Champion Rebecca Wemyss started running in 2009 when she moved to Ottawa and wanted to find something to do. She quickly found running was a great way to make new friends and completed her first marathon last year. Rebecca is inspired to be a better runner by her son who frequently yells “Mom, come on, go faster!” When she’s not running, Rebecca is a high school teacher and track coach with the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. Connect with Rebecca on Twitter, Instagram and her blog.

The Importance of a Support Crew on Race Day. By Rebecca Wemyss.

Originally I wanted to title this post “what Rebecca Cheeringhappens when things go wrong” as I’ve had a very problematic running season. I’ve been on the sidelines for much of the summer because of an ongoing lower left leg issue. Because my injury is taking awhile to heal, I’ve had to make a switch and change my race to the half marathon. Fellow STWM Digital Champion, Jess, wrote a great post in July about what happens when you get injured. Like Jess, I’ve been going through many emotions during this time: anger, frustration, disappointment and envy whenever I see someone out running. However, I am trying to turn a negative into a positive by attending the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon regardless whether I can run or not. I am determined to have a great time in Toronto doing something that I love: cheering runners on as they head towards the marathon finish line.

If you are an experienced runner, you can probably think of a few races when someone you knew was there for you. You could have been having an awful race, but hearing your name made you forget about the aches and pains for a few moments.  Maybe you saw your family, with one kilometre to go, a reminder of how hard you worked to train for the marathon, and an inspiration to sprint to the finish! I remember a cross country race last year involving a high school team that I coached. I stood in the middle of the “big hill” and cheered on every single runner running up the hill. For those runners that I personally knew, I added in some personalized cheers to make them smile. According to my team, it helped them conquer that hill. Every cheer helps.

There are a variety of ways that you can cheer on friends, family or even complete strangers on the big day:

1. Grab a sign and head to the route

Funny running signs can really brighten up the marathon route and make runners laugh and smile while on the course. My own sign (which will be making an appearance at STWM) is a play on a Breaking Bad quote: “You’re done running when I say you’re done” complete with a picture of “Heisenberg”. Noisemakers are also fun! Even if you don’t know anyone on the course, find a runner and look for their name on their bib. Simply shouting a name can totally make a runner’s day

2.  Track a runner

For many big races, including STWM, real-time runner tracking is available. This year, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will be using “Real-Time Runner Tracking (RTRT)” as well as Sportstats. With these services, you can easily follow your favourite runner and cheer them on! If you know they’re running with their phone, send them a text message or a tweet as a pick-me-up. When I finished my first marathon, my phone was filled with congratulatory texts and tweets and I was so amazed at how many people were tracking me.

3. Volunteer

cs_stwm14_0644Do you want to get as close to the action as you can on race day? Then volunteer! Races do not run themselves and volunteers can help in many different ways. I have volunteered at several different races in the Ottawa area, including Ottawa Race Weekend. Volunteers are needed for water stations, finish line, race expo and kit pickup. You can support runners by providing a few hours of your time to help run the race. In my experience, so many runners say thank you and are so appreciative of volunteers. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is still looking for volunteers. If you are interested, apply here.

4. Extra Support

Besides cheering, you can help runners by providing support on the big day! Can you give a ride to the start or back home after the race? Can you bring warm clothes to greet your family and friends who are running at the finish line? Maybe you can help plan a post-race gathering at the local pub for a celebratory beverage. There are lots of ways to make race day easier for someone who is running. When I run my longer races, my husband and son are usually biking along the route, waiting for me to finish. Last year I had to make an emergency call to my husband after only 1k because I realized I had no sunscreen on and it was a very sunny day. Luckily he was in close range and soon met me with some sunscreen so I could avoid a  major burn.

5. Cheer on every last runner

cs_stwm14_1107Lastly. if you are running STWM, don’t forget to cheer on your fellow runners once you are done! My plan for October 18th is to finish the half-marathon, grab my Heisenberg sign, and cheer on all my friends completing the marathon! I cannot wait to see everyone’s faces when they reach the finish and realize what an incredible feat they have accomplished. Every last runner deserves as much cheering as possible.

Canada Running Series has made it easy for you to “get your cheer on” at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon! Check out their 2015 STWM Spectator Guide as well as their Interactive RacePoint Map which allows you to predict your favourite runner’s arrival at various locations along the course, according to their estimated finish time. As always, use the hashtag #STWM to share all your race day content via social media and I’ll see you at the finish line!

Oct 05 2015
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Train With Grains Recipe: No Sweat Apple Crisp

By | Community Leaders, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
Train With Grains Recipe: No Sweat Apple Crisp by Andrew Chak

This year we’re teaming up with the Grain Farmers of Ontario to bring you the best pre and post-run recipes to fuel your marathon training! Each week we’ll feature a new and unique recipe from one of our CRS Community Leader Ambassadors. This week Andrew Chak shares a healthy and delicous post-run treat to warm you up after a cool fall run. Do you have a recipe you’d like to share? Share a photo on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TrainWithGrains for your chance to win a “Good in Every Grain” Prize Pack valued at $50!

As runners, we often work up enough sweat on our own so it’s great to find solutions that make the other parts of our lives just a little bit easier. When it comes to a nutritious snack, I’m thankful for what my wife can whip up to feed a hungry marathoner and three growing boys.

Over the years, she has made us a dish of “no sweat apple crisp” that has the taste of apple pie with much less effort. Feel free to adjust the sugar content to your liking. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 5 cups of apples – washed, peeled and 4-Mixed Ingredientssliced
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar to coat the apples
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar for the crisp
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp. of crunchy flax cereal for some extra oomph in the crisp
  • 1/3 cup butter – softened

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Place the sliced apples into a baking dish. Add 2 tbsp. brown sugar and mix with the apples to coat them.
  3. Pour the brown sugar, rolled oats, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and crunch flax cereal into a mixing bowl. Grab a fork and imagine yourself doing track repeats in the bowl as you mix the ingredients together.
  4. Mix in the softened butter until it is nice and crumbly.
  5. Sprinkle the crumbly mix over the apples.
  6. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until the fruit is tender.
  7. Fight every urge to start munching down the crumble until it at least cools down a bit.

8-The Finished Product


* Just TWO weeks left to WIN! Share your favourite pre or post run snack or meal on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TrainWithGrains for your chance to win a $50 “Good In Every Grain” prize pack! We’re choosing one winner every week until STWM!

Sep 30 2015
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Chasing Boston at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO September 30th 2015. Digital Champion Christina Menssen started running over 10 years ago and is hoping to run a Boston-qualifying time at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 18th. Christina loves the marathon distance because it’s a physical and mental challenge, pushing her beyond her perceived limits even when she wants to quit. When she’s not running, you can find Christian blogging at theathletarian.com, teaching, watching Netflix, and eating Mexican food!  Connect with Christina on Twitter, Instagram and her blog.

Chasing Boston at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. By Christina Menssen

Christina Blog Image 2Let me start off by telling you that never in a million years did I think I would publicly declare that my ultimate dream and goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Ten years ago I would have even laughed at the idea of calling myself a runner!  I think it’s safe to say that I was anti-exercise up until my early 20s.  I can’t even say why or how I started running.  I recall signing up for my very first 10K race back in 2003 – I trained just enough and finished with a half smile on my face.  It took me five years to return to the running scene and I set the lofty goal of completing a half marathon (and I did!).  Since then, I have run 10 half marathons, 4 full marathons and several shorter distance races.  The bulk of my racing has taken place over the last 2-3 years when I realized that I am actually not that horrible at running.

The full marathon distance scares me, though I think it scares a lot of people.  It is a beast of a race with so many factors that it’s almost impossible to predict how race day will go.  I ran my very first 42.2 in 2010 at the Ottawa Marathon and when I crossed the finish line I told myself I would never run another marathon again.  I made the mistake of completing about 90% of my training on a treadmill, which may work for some people but definitely did not work for me.  I was not mentally prepared but still managed to finish in 4:19.

Four years later, a friend convinced me to run the Phoenix Marathon.  When runners say they will “never” do something again, they are almost always not telling you the truth.  We just need a little bit of time to forget about the pain before we start making crazy plans again!  I think running the Phoenix Marathon was a turning point for me.  I trained really hard throughout the grueling winter and got to that start line with a newfound confidence.  If I can run for 3+ hours in cold, snow and ice, then I can definitely run a marathon in warm, sunny Phoenix…right?!  I finished in 3:53, a whole 26 minutes faster than my first 42.2!

I returned to the Phoenix Marathon this year, where I shaved off another 7 minutes and finished in 3:46.  It was after this race that I thought to myself maybe Boston wasn’t so far out of reach.  What seemed impossible after running my first marathon didn’t seem so farfetched anymore.  Sure, I would have to put in a lot of work and dial into my training a little more but the Boston Marathon is now within sight.  It has become my goal!  My dream!  And it feels so. freaking. good. to say that!!

My qualifying time is 3:35 and the way things have gone over the last couple of years, I probably need closer to a 3:33 to be considered “safe”.  I know that is a whole 13 minutes faster than my current marathon PB which is a lot in running time.  That doesn’t scare me anymore though.  I know what I’m capable of and I know that it’s possible.  How great would it be to qualify for Boston in my own city?  I’ve never run a marathon in Toronto before so I’m pretty stoked to race on familiar streets and see familiar faces on October 18th.  I’m nervous and excited but most of all, I’m ready.  Ready to give it everything I’ve got and for the first time ever, attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Sep 29 2015
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New Zealand’s Mary Davies Chasing Rio Standard at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. By Paul Gains

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments
Photo Credit: Photo Run

Photo Credit: Photo Run

TORONTO September 29th 2015. Three years ago Mary Davies’ victory at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon wasn’t so much a surprise as a shock to the thousands lining the streets expecting another East African to reach the finish line first.

But the New Zealander’s persistence paid off as she earned both $20,000 prize money and a personal best time of 2:28:57.

“I remember it being very surreal,” she says from her home in Houston, Texas. “I think it took like a week to realize I had won it. It was just an amazing experience.

“I passed (Kenya’s Agnes) Kiprop around 41k and really wasn’t sure, I couldn’t really believe I was passing her, and then with 800 metres to go I looked around and there was no one there.”

The Kenyan had run a personal best 2:23:54 a year earlier and was favoured to win. But after going out hard she had nothing left in the final few kilometres and Davies could see her struggling.

Davies remembers being overjoyed that day but there was little time to celebrate. She and her husband Gabriel Sawakuchi, together with their infant son, Lucas, caught a train back to Ottawa a few hours later. Sawakuchi was a physics lecturer at Carleton University at the time.

Now at the age of 33, and having given birth to a baby girl fifteen months ago, Davies is returning to Toronto to attempt the qualifying standard for the Rio Olympics in this IAAF Gold Label race.

“Our Olympic ‘A’ standard for the Rio is 2:27 and the ‘B’ is 2:29 so definitely I am after 2:29 in Toronto,” she says, “and we will see how the day is and what the pacers are doing and go from there. But definitely the 2:29 is the preferred goal and then anything after that.

“Training is good. In terms of the quality and I am feeling similar to how I was before Toronto in 2012.”

A little over two years ago Davies and her family moved to Houston where Gabriel is a medical physicist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre. The couple had met while studying at Oklahoma State University. Davies had been recruited to the NCAA institution to run and in her final year she made news by winning a unique triple at the Big 12 conference – 5000m, 10000m and 3,000m steeplechase. She was also third in the NCAA 10,000m final.

Davies has an added incentive to get the standard for Rio. Gabriel is Brazilian. If she is successful in Toronto the family will likely be on site to lend support.

“I think they will all go,” Davies reveals. “A lot of Gabriel’s family is in Brazil and it would be pretty special if I made the team and having that goal there in the background is going to be pushing me in the training.

“I think my husband is very supportive and that helps a lot. And my mother in law, before important races, comes from Brazil and stays for two or three months.  So when I am training I can leave the kids with her. So for those months I have a lot of support. And then the times when I don’t I have been kind of doing it before my husband goes to work and after work. We have found a balance that works.”

Photo Credit: Photo Run

Photo Credit: Photo Run

Davies runs 160 kilometres in a typical week under the guidance of Jim Bevan, head coach of the Rice University Women’s team. An occasional training partner is Becky Wade winner of the California International Marathon in 2:30:41. And she remains good friends with Canada’s Krista DuChene who stayed with her for a few weeks while training for the Rotterdam Marathon in the spring.

“She came down for a training camp before Rotterdam,” Davies reveals. “That worked out really well. She is a lovely lady and we get along very well. I was very sad to hear that she had broken a bone in her foot. But having the standard at least that is a bonus, in terms of Rio. But I know for her Toronto is a big one being on home soil and with the record there.”

For Davies representing New Zealand, her birthplace, is of paramount importance. Following her 2012 Toronto victory she was selected to run in the 2013 IAAF World Championships marathon in Moscow which was actually her second time at the World Championships. She had also run in Berlin in 2009. But the conditions on both occasions were less than ideal.

“I had been training in Houston so I really didn’t find the heat the problem (in Moscow),” she explains. “They found a cyst on my spleen. I had really bad stitch-like pains and they don’t really know if that was the cause of it. I couldn’t really breathe much during that race. It was a pretty terrible race. It was not much fun.”

It is quite likely the conditions in Toronto will be less sauna-like than Moscow, and far more conducive to running fast times. Race Director Alan Brookes has lined up pacemakers to help Davies, Canadian record holder Lanni Marchant and others such as Canadians Tarah McKay and Natasha Labeaud as they chase the 2:29:50 Olympic standard. Then they will fight not only for an Olympic place but for the podium.

Davies is asked if she sees herself beating her personal best time in Toronto.

“I think if everything is perfect – it’s hard in a marathon with the course the weather and all the different factors – if I can keep healthy and training keeps progressing as it has, then yes,” she replies.

And there is every reason to believe that should the East Africans – Kenya’s Sharon Cherop and Shure Demise of Ethiopia among them – falter during the race, Davies could be there in the latter stages. After all it wouldn’t be the first time.

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