Four Marathons in 28 Days

By: Gwen Leron

For most serious runners, setting a goal to run one marathon a year, training for it and completing it is a huge accomplishment. But for Ian Cockburn of Toronto, completing four marathons in 28 days (Mississauga, Waterloo, Whitby and Ottawa) was a goal he set for himself, and happily, he successfully accomplished it.

So, why would a runner set such an immense goal for himself? “For me, it wasn’t about bragging rights, it was simply a challenge that I set for myself” says Cockburn. “I like to stay active and I love running”.

Running has always been Cockburn’s sport. He ran cross country during high school, but when he started university, his focus shifted from athletics to academics. Once he completed his studies, he wanted to become active once again so he joined a men’s ball hockey league where he found that he struggled to keep up the level of fitness that he was once used to. So in 2005, his wife suggested that he join a 5K clinic at The Running Room. He completed the 5K clinic and quickly progressed through all of the other program offerings. “When you run with other people, you gain inspiration,” says Cockburn. This inspired him to train for his first marathon in 2006.

So how did he get through four races in 28 days? “I set no goal time, my only goal was to do four (races) in five weeks and whatever the race day presented, I took it.”

His first race was the Waterloo Marathon and his strategy was to just run at a controlled pace and it seems as if that strategy worked because he finished in 4:08:45. His second race was Mississauga and of the four, this one was his hardest. “I hit a wall at 19K but pushed through, ran my fastest and felt great at the 35 – 42K mark,” he said. He finished Mississauga in 4:04:45. Whitby was next: “My strategy for Whitby was to not hold back as much, because I knew in the back of my head that Ottawa was next.” Whitby was conquered in 4:04:16. Then came Ottawa which ended up being his fastest race with a finish time of 3:57:57.

Cockburn is part of an online running club called the “Marathon Maniacs” The group ranks themselves in nine different levels. To move up in the ranks, you must meet specific criteria. By completing the four marathons in 28 days, Cockburn was able to move up to Gold status.

When it comes to his gear, Mizuno Wave Elixir 6’s are his chosen shoes: “I love these shoes. They are lightweight, and I’d definitely buy another pair when the time comes”.

What is the next big goal Cockburn has set for himself? He plans on setting a PB (sub 3:44) in the Scotiabank Waterfront marathon which takes place on October 16. Good luck Ian!