We all love racing. And we all love love. But not often enough do the two things come together like they did at a race finish line over the weekend for Josh Bolton and Tanis Smith, who got engaged.
Since it’s our favourite thing ever, we reached out again to the newly-engaged running couple to pry into all things engagement, wedding plans and, of course, running!
We would like to extend another huge congratulations to the happy couple and encourage all runners to propose to one another at the finish line of a race. You can at least be assured there’ll be plenty of photographers there.
Q) You finish the race. The proposal. Then what happens next?
Josh: Next on the list is wedding planning. Getting the details sorted out for that is the main thing on the agenda. Right after the race we spent some time having lunch with a running club out of the area, the Grand River Endurance running club. That night my grandparents came by for dinner to celebrate.
Tanis: I ran over to hug all my friends there and found out that they were hiding it from me all along. We went inside to the post race awards area to get some food. I was super thirsty and pumped to see that there was Gatorade and even better ice cream! We had a parade of thank you’s from people we knew and those we didn’t. The running community is so supportive, I loved sharing this moment with them. Of course, we’ve been racing for many years so we knew we had to get a cool down so about 20 minutes after finishing, we went for a 3k cool down with our teammate Heather.
Q) Have you both sworn never to wash your race clothes?
J: The clothes are all washed up, but the race bib is definately a special one.
T: I haven’t washed them quite, but that’s more out of tiredness! It was a busy day.
Josh, how long has this been brewing? Why this race, now? Were your race jitters double, or less so?
J: I thought it would be very original and because we are both dedicated runners it only made sense to me. The pre-race jitters were actually far less then they normally are. I enjoyed the race because it had so much meaning attached to it, but only I knew that at the time.
Q) Tanis, how about you? Are you the kind of racer who thinks about their wardrobe? Did you have any idea your race shirt would be immortalized?
T: For races we’re going for as little as possible to help us run faster. I knew the shorts I wanted to wear from my Skechers racing kit—they fit nice and dont ride up too much. I do have two racing singlets I wear either my Skechers Performance Division singlet for bigger races or my Grand River Endurance team singlet for team events. I was happy that I decided to wear GRE that day making the proposal a family affair. I definitely see that singlet giving me more confidence and excitement next time I put it on.
Q) What does running mean in your relationship?
J: Running is a huge part of our relationship. We’re both driven runners who feed off each other. Each season we look back and remember all the positives and fun times we had. When one of us is struggling the other encourages to push on. When we are happy, we run together; when we are stressed, we run together —it’s a way of life for us both.
T: Running is a huge building block for us. We met through running and find comfort in the routine of it. No matter what stresses we have we know we can go out on the roads and come back level headed and happier. It has also taught us much about perseverance, hard work, staying humble, and self belief that is part of both our core values. Even if we were to stop running it has taught us about everything it takes to be successful and happy in life which we will carry with us in everything we do.
Q) Have you been on a run since?
J: We’ve been on a couple. We double most days and often at least one of these runs is together.
T: Post-proposal we did a 3k cool down and the last few days have resumed like any other: trying to get miles in before and after work to prepare for the season. I’ve definitely been more smiley on runs since!
Q) Any advice for iRun readers who’d want to attempt a post-race proposal?
J: Make sure you can beat your significant other because it takes some prep work after you cross the line to organize.
T: It was the perfect thing for us with running being such a huge part of who we are individually as well as together. My advice is take lots of pictures because it’s so amazing to look back on.
Q) Do you vow never to wash your lucky race socks?
J: I will be washing the socks. The race bib is the key piece to remember the day by.
T: I definitely will, that wouldn’t be pleasant!
Q) When do you race next?
J: Next race will be Chilly half-marathon in Burlington. The peak race this season will be Canadian National half-marathon championships in Calgary.
T: We are racing Chilly Half Marathon next Sunday!
Q) What everyone wants to know, for the couple who gets engaged after winning a race, what will you do for a honeymoon? What will be the theme of your cake?
J: Not exactly sure on the theme of the cake—probably running related, maybe a Skechers shoe on it as we are sponsored by them. Best to ask Tanis about that though.
T: I think a destination race is definitely in the picture. Not sure where, maybe Hawaii or Italy or even Berlin! A honeymoon and peak race sounds pretty awesome to me! I know Josh loves peanut butter so that will definitely be incorporated and maybe the little bride and groom will be wearing running shoes.
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