Hey man, I did it. The New York City Marathon.

November 5, 2018

The New York Marathon was big, loud, exciting, glorious, painful, painful, painful, and triumphant, maybe the toughest race I’ve ever run. Where to begin? Well, I’ve now run more marathons than I can remember. I’m 44 and ran my first marathon, I don’t even know but let’s just say at least ten years ago. I’ve done it a lot and probably done four a year for the last four years.

But back to New York for a quick minute: wow, I’ve never seen crowd support like this before. It was like being in the centre of a victory parade and going through all the boroughs, my lord, getting a sense of each neighbourhood, and the pride each neighbourhood took in welcoming runners to their blocks, that was astounding. It’s interesting, running. All of these people watching and cheering, and it breaks colour lines and gender lines and politics. Being in America now, yuck—and I’m American—but all of that was forgotten on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. The city was at its best and, being from New York, it meant everything. I even saw my uncle who I’ve lost touch with on the side of the road in Cobble Hill holding a sign for me, and I suspected he might be there, and I gave him a kiss.

It was that kind of day.

Or, well, it started out that way, as marathons do. The New York Marathon has five bridges to travail and they’re tricky. There’s lots of uphills and while it’s not the uphills of Heartbreak Hill in Boston, I don’t know, it’s a gradual burn the whole way. Staten Island is the starting point into Brooklyn and then Queens, where I had more family. It’s funny how 51,000 people can race and there can be something like a million spectators and you can still find your loved ones while running.

What’s up with that? The magic of the marathon, I guess.

After Queens, which was probably around mile 15, things got tricky. Recently I dropped out of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon at 28K and that’s the first time in my career that I’ve ever done that. Couldn’t, by any means, do that again. And I didn’t. Everyone who runs New York talks about the bridge into Manhattan around 15 miles. It’s about a mile long and dark and hits you in the brain—I think this is when the marathon starts. No longer high-fiving cute kids in the Brooklyn sun, now you have to work, and work hard.

I kept going and didn’t feel injured, particularly. Just, wow, the marathon is hard!! Up through Manhattan, and there was great crowd support, which doesn’t matter when you’re super duper struggling, and again, that’s the sport, that’s the fun. Everyone talks about those magic days, when you barely feel like you’re working. And that happens. But the ones where it’s not there, and it’s really a struggle not to walk, that’s when you earn your medal. And boy, I earned mine with every inch of my heart.

You go through the Bronx and Harlem, and again the city is just cheering like mad and you feel like you’re the World Series MVP on a victory parade, or, you would, if it didn’t require everything you’ve got to keep the legs moving forward. Krista DuChene once said that the great thing about the marathon is it’s finite. Keep going forward and you’ll get there, that’s how it works. And I just kept that in mind. Kept going. Inch by inch. Made it back into Manhattan and I knew each step would bring me closer to the finish line. So badly I just wanted to stop. To sit. I would not.

Made it to 5th Avenue. Got into Central Park and just kept going, going, going, refusing to walk. A friend called out to me from the sideline and later he said I had this look on my face—purposeful resilience. In a fine shade of green. Even when the sign said, 800 meters to go, I could not speed up. Time didn’t matter. (Though I did hit 3:14 and that makes me feel good; though I told a friend I did 3:12 and that makes me feel bad; never, ever lie about your time). Finally, there’s a sneaky little uphill to the finish line, I mean, who put that there? But that’s OK, New York. I did it. And you can see a finish line photo of me. I mean, right at the finish line, on that thing, I keel over. Ugh. (Look, closely for the bright yellow! That’s me on the right by the blue thing). . .

But hey man, I did it. And the marathon, or whatever you’re running, the distance doesn’t matter, the effort does, is hard. It’s supposed to be. We talk about sneakers and about stars and we’re part of the culture and we love the clothing, but every once in awhile, you have to do the thing. And that’s what builds character. That’s what makes the whole thing legit.

The New York City Marathon may be my final outing. Maybe I’ll go out like Jay-Z and leave the marathon while I’m on top. My toe is black. I drank let’s say six pints afterwards and ten waters and three Gatorades and a chocolate milk and didn’t pee until midnight. I need a rest. My body is tired.

But boy oh boy, I did it.

Not my fastest, but my toughest. And that makes it my best.

iRun Radio

Why I Run

November 5, 2018

After the New York City Marathon and the Hamilton Marathon this past weekend, we’ve got some inspiration from Canadian runners. First Cam Levins shares his thoughts on breaking the Canadian marathon record at his first marathon. Then, Kinsey Middleton shares her experience from her first marathon. Plus, Running Room’s John Stanton talks about memories of races including at the finish line of the Ottawa Marathon.

Brace Yourself: When You Have a Goal Marathon in less than 24 Hours

Ben Kaplan

November 3, 2018

Jessica Kuepfer of New Balance Canada (@lacesandlattes), is running the 2018 NYC Marathon for the first time on November 4.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with the pre-race nerves. My day-to-day schedule is normally so hectic that I pack quickly, board a plane without much thought and arrive at my race destination before I realize what is happening.

Being at my race location two or three days before the event is when I reach my peak nervousness. I start going over my race day plans, questioning if they are truly the right decisions and if I am to start doubting if I really am in the shape I need to be for the goals I have for my race, this is when it will happen.

As the race draws closer, the day before the race, I shift into a very calm and unruffled mindset. This may seem backwards but I think it is because I realize that I am simply too close to the event to make any changes—the plan that I have been rehearsing is the plan that I will go with.

I make sure that I do all of the physical things right—eating foods at regular intervals, carrying a water bottle with me all day long to keep my hydration topped up and ensuring my step count remains low. I control all of the small little things I can and the greatest thing I do is prime myself mentally.

Going into a big race is hard. When you have done the training, physically, there is very little you can do. But if you don’t go to that start line with focus and a mental framework in place where you are willing to hurt enough to reach your goals, you will probably not be fully prepared for what is waiting for you on race day. You need to be willing to go deep into that pain cave and suffer for the goals you set for yourself, not backing off because missing your goals would hurt more than the fatigue of racing the last few miles of a marathon.

While I am sitting with my feet up and water bottle in hand, I study the course map and think through how I want to feel at 10 km, 20 km, 30 km. I think about my nutrition plan. And mostly, I start to brace myself mentally for the worst. I ask questions like:

What happens if I can to the start line and there is a strong headwind for the entire day?

What happens if my shoe becomes untied?

What happens if I get my nutrition knocked out of my hand, if I drop it, if I forget to take it?

I start calmly rehearsing the solutions to all of these problems so if anything happens on my race day, I have solutions, not excuses.

If there is a head wind, I’ll tuck behind someone larger. I’ll tie my dang shoe. I’ll grab a gel at the next aid station.

I make sure I am calm, focused and confident in my plan, so when I walk to the start line on race morning, all I need to do is execute on a plan that I have already played out in my head. It will be difficult, but I already know that. And if something would happen that would cause my goals to slip out of sight, I will focus on my form, put on a smile even if it hurts and focus on soaking up New York, one of the greatest marathons in the world.

Photograph by Nirupam Singh

Philadelphia Marathon Attracts Season Marathon Runners

Anna Lee Boschetto

November 1, 2018

Mark Sullivan has completely over 175 marathons. He has run the Boston Marathon 32 times. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Marathon, a race which Sullivan has run since the beginning. With race day in Philly around the corner, iRun Radio’s Mark Sutcliffe recently spoke with Sullivan and learned why the avid marathon runner and running coach, is looking forward to running it. Sullivan also explained how it has become on of his favourite races along with why every runner should add it to their goal races at least once.

iRun: What are your memories from the very first Philadelphia Marathon?

Mark Sullivan: You know it’s funny I had no intention of running the Philadelphia Marathon all of these years. I had lived in Philadelphia and I went to school there, so I thought, I’ll go back and run the race. Prior to this, the last marathon Philadelphia had was a multi-loop course in Fairmount Park. The Philadelphia Marathon is a city-wide race, and I wanted to see what it would be like. At the time, races were not nearly as large as now. Back then Boston had 10 to 12,000 runners in the marathon and that was considered a mega race. At that time, the Philadelphia Marathon had a cap of 1,500 runners and it seemed like a large crowd.

One thing that is interesting that they have held onto is that it feels like a hometown race. The organizers maintain this feeling despite that they now have 30,000 runners between all of the events and partially that’s because Philadelphia is a sports town. The local people take pride in maning the water stations. I’ve met a cross country coach who takes his team to volunteer and it’s inspiring for these yong people who are bringing water to marathon runners and thinking they may like to give it a try too.

iRun: What brings you back to run this race each year?
MS: There’s a lot great things about Philadelphia. For one, the city has a lot of great restaurants, you can’t get a better cheesesteak than in Philly. Then, it’s the course which is so diverse. You run in the downtown area and then you run in the parks so it really gives you the best view of the city. I enjoy running by the Liberty Building, the downtown market and through the University of Philadelphia and the zoo. It’s also very pretty through the parks and along the river it is very picturesque and there is always a rowing crew. They have also learned what to improve every year and because the race has had a controlled growth, it has become a very runner-friendly event where everything is within walking distance.

iRun: Is there a memory that stands out personally?
MS: The former mayor took an active interest in the marathon. He would come out before the race started and be there the whole day. He would stand at the finish line giving people high fives, he didn’t wear a sash, he was out there just enjoying the event. I have a friend who had run marathons previously, but hadn’t in 13 years and I trained him. He had a picture coming across the finish line getting a high-five and he didn’t know it was the mayor. I have friends who I see each year and have dinner the day before the race and after with. So lots of good memories of great people.

iRun: You have run every year, has anyone else done it?
MS: Only one other person, Bob Koen, who is from New Jersey. We started the Legacy runners group for the Philadelphia Marathon and we have several tiers to recognize its members. There are a number of members who have run 15 years or more. We wanted to have something that signifies them and we now have many who have run eight marathon or more, and they are motivated to be a part of this group.

iRun: You’ve done a lot of different events in Canada. Where would you put Philly on your faves?
MS: Its tied for my favourite because I really do like Ottawa a lot. I love Philly. There are similarities between Ottawa and Philadelphia, like the fact that you can walk to the start line from your hotel. In Philadelphia, if your friends are watching, you can have them right there to greet you at the finish line the way it is set up. You are encouraged to stay with family and friends. There’s a huge park where you can stay and hang out for the rest of the day.

“I want to feel everything.” The spirit and hustle of Shad

Ben Kaplan

October 31, 2018

Shadrach Kabango is one of Canada’s finest musicians, a pioneer who follows his own path and a writer who routinely is comfortable heading into difficult territory. A Juno award winning rapper, former host of CBC’s Q, and an Emmy winning host of Hip-Hop Evolution, there doesn’t seem to be much Shad can’t do. His new record is A Short Story About a War and it’s a hip hop concept album about life under fire in 2018. Prescient, hypnotic and urgent, the new dad spoke with iRun’s Ben Kaplan about writing, rapping and the perseverance he’s learned by running on the basketball court and keeping in shape. Check here to find Shad on tour at a venue near you.

iRun: What’s your favourite line on the new record?

Shad: One that comes to mind related to what you’re talking about is: Move at light speed/but we’re so smooth/the whole movement/Tai Chi. It’s a song about peace, and there’s a relationship to the body and an analogy of the movement in a political sense, and in the spiritual sense and about discipline.

iRun: How do you write? Do you start with a line or a feeling?

Shad: This album started with a concept. It’s basically a short story that bubbled up in my mind one day. I saw an image and the parallels between that world and our world and what I was trying to explore became a lens through which I saw how we’re living today.

iRun: What’s your feeling behind each new album?

Shad: Let me try and share this in the form I know best and make it come alive and maybe it can help people if they’re like me, trying to think through what it means to live well in the world.

iRun: What was the image?

Shad: A war scenario and I saw this desert and people running and ducking and scared and frantic—bullets are being fired, and I saw further into the different people participating in the war. I let my imagination roam and saw a sniper character, for example, and I saw these parallels: the sniper is elevated and his elevated position gives him relative safety and power, but I could sense his loneliness and disconnection.

iRun: Empathy has always been a hallmark of your music.

Shad: There was a group in my mind, the Stone Throwers, and they throw stones and have violence and it’s ugly, brutal and crude, but in my mind, it’s a metaphor for power—they can be vilified for actions that are acting out powerlessness and rage because of justice deferred too long.

iRun: Sounds like you make records as a way of understanding the world first and foremost to yourself.

Shad: I wonder if that’s true, there’s some of that for sure. I think about the way we participate in the world, in terms of our defensiveness and antagonistic posture and I wonder how much of that isn’t based on a real threat, but on fear. And maybe if we disarmed ourselves, that would change something. The album is about fear and yeah, it was something that was helpful for me in my life. This was the album I had to make. It had been five years since my last record.

iRun: To make your record, you had to almost get into physical shape, for the mental shape to follow.

Shad: I play ball at least a couple of times a week and I get a lot of things out of it, there’s a clarity that comes with exercise.

iRun: That’s our thing. The thrill beyond the physical that comes from sport, the mental.

Shad: Maybe it’s the endorphins. Basketball is something like music that I just purely love and as you get older and have responsibilities, life gets complicated. But there’s a couple of things in my life that I love like a kid, one is basketball.

iRun: What is it that you love?

Shad: I love the feeling of playing and just enjoying the physical side of it. Not that I’m old, but I am 36—I might not be able to do this forever, it crosses my mind. And when I’m out on the pavement running full court, I have the sensation, not always, but sometimes: I love this. It feels great.

iRun: How does that tie into how you work?

Shad: There’s a discipline thing that feels very transferable. If I can run hard on the court for 40 minutes I feel like I have the will to also sit down and write a song or go to the studio. It’s nice to practice that in some concrete way. Running is like that, too. I enjoy the challenge and enjoy completing the challenge. It’s been one of the joys of my life.

iRun: Yeah, man. Mine, too.

Shad: It’s almost a reminder of that value of, actually, I don’t want my life to be about comfort. I don’t want my life to be constantly seeking comfort, I want to seek challenge, build strength and get better. Not comfortable. Even when I play ball, I don’t just shoot around, I like getting tired and feeling that, totally.

iRun: It’s got to help you as an MC, when you need breathe control, and out on tour.

Shad: There’s stamina in the sense of running around, jumping around onstage and delivering lyrics—you need to do it in a clear way. There’s also another kind of energy, you need to be able to feel your body. I never touch a drink before I go onstage. I want to feel everything. That’s when you’re in better shape, you feel everything better. I want to look at the audience and really be clear and feel their energy as a performer. It takes a level of physical discipline to do well.

iRun: I love the way you explained that. I haven’t quite heard it spoken of like that before.

Shad: Onstage, you’re the person in charge of the energy. I want to work everyone in the crowd and when they give it back, I want to feel it completely and respond appropriately. So you need to exercise on the road if you can, stay fit, stay sharp, stay healthy, and watch the McDonald’s intake (if you can).

iRun: Who are your heroes in the world?

Shad: Obama for his civility and decency, which is so missing in our world, he’s integrity. He always seems decent and honourable and the way he speaks, he has a philosopher’s mind, but also he’s pragmatic. And I’d say that my spiritual heroes, a lot of them come from my religious tradition, from Jesus to Martin Luther King—people who stood up for what they believed in, and did it with a posture of love.

Photographs by Justin Broadbent.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down: Sasha Gollish on the Post-Race Blues

Ben Kaplan

October 30, 2018

You know that feeling after you meet a big goal, you feel light as a feather, there is a bounce in your step, and you just cannot stop smiling. Then, whether it be a few hours to a couple of days later you’ve never felt so down on yourself? There is almost an overwhelming sadness and exhaustion.

We expect the low after we fail to meet a goal, miss a milestone, or get injured before a big event. So why do we feel low after we achieve success?

While it is not a great feeling, the good news about all of this, you are not alone. There are so many examples of famous athletes, Olympians, and World Champions who have gone through this. The most memorable example would be Michael Jordan retiring at the age of 30 after winning multiple NBA titles and an Olympic Gold Medal (Friedman, 2015). “I just needed to change… I was getting tired of the same old activity and routine and I didn’t feel all the same appreciation that I had felt before and it was tiresome.”

Here’s the bad news, I cannot make the low go away. And you know what? I would not want you to. These lows come after the highs. Don’t you think those highs are worth it? I certainly do.

I got to chatting with my good friend and sports psychologist about this. She reminded me that those moments are filled with emotion, excitement, and exhilaration, in other words you go through a hit of adrenaline. Eventually that adrenaline wears off and we are left feeling withdrawal. I would hazard a guess that’s why so many people impulsively signup for their next event immediately after completing a goal event.

When those lows come post-event most importantly remember that it is a natural feeling. Do not ignore it, embrace it. Tease out some of the feelings because there might be a gem in there to learn from. Talk to your friends and loved ones about how your feeling. And remember the feeling will pass.

It’s a double-edged sword too. Often after an event we are prescribed a period of rest. So not only is the adrenaline gone but so are the endorphins. Overall it just makes us feel even worse. I’m not suggesting you put your shoes back on, not yet anyways, that rest is an important part of process, not just for recovery. You don’t have to trust me, but you sure should believe Reid.

Sometimes we do not know what is going to be our next goal event and the motivation to get out the door to pound the pavement again can be a challenge. If you do not have a next event on the schedule I encourage you to use this time to do something new. Challenge yourself to be motivated in different ways. Maybe try the yoga 30-day challenge. Or sign up at your local spin studio for the week-long trial. Never been the to the gym? It’s actually one of my favourite ways to train.

These lows happen to me too. I think back to my marathon attempt. If I was being honest with myself I am questioning my desire to stay in the professional athlete game right now, to continue training at this level. I am still in the trough from the high of training for the marathon. I loved the build to the marathon over the summer, so it’s not surprising that right now I am lacking the love of training. As I start the build to my next event I know that love for running will come back, that this low will be a distant memory, and the motivation to get out the door will make me jump out of bed every morning.

How To Run Faster, Get Stronger & Go Further Than Ever

Anna Lee Boschetto

October 30, 2018

We spoke with four runners about how to improve your running game, mind, body and spirit. Here’s what they had to say.

You need to work out your mental strength. Having doubts about your ability doesn’t make you weak, it makes you normal. I’ll always have those negative voices, but I’m not afraid, I’m prepared to be able to get through it. By taking ownership, you aren’t a bad person. Don’t be ashamed, just work on it like anything else. Over the years, I have had my own challenges with confidence. It’s important to take the time for preparing your mind because when those dark moments set in, often it’s because you’re so much inside your head. So how do you keep that negative talk from sidelining you completely? Finding a phrase to focus on, one that conjures up a positive vibe, is the key. I found for myself, having a confidence journal, as you do a training journal, helped me reframe my mindset. Now it’s not always about running, it may be about being a friend to other moms like myself; regardless, it really is helpful to end my day on a positive note and acknowledge myself in this way. There are always people who will run a better race than you. Acknowledge your own progress. You can do amazing things if you’re nice to yourself.

Kara Goucher, from Queens, New York, is a two-time Olympic marathoner and former American half-marathon champion. She’s also a mother and an author and holds retreats in her adopted hometown, Boulder, Colorado. For more information, see KaraGoucher.com.

Depending on what event you’re racing, the type of power you’re going to need to tap into can be different. I need explosive power, and the more anaerobic an event is, the more you’ll need it at your fingertips. It’s going to be a lot less important in the marathon than in the 1,500-metre. Still, many times a PB is hit or missed depending on how you’re able to recruit explosive power in the last few kilometres of a race. The type of strength training you need to achieve that power will depend on your event. For a marathon, putting in speed work, including sprint drills and strides at the end of your long distance runs, is a great way to build speed and power without bulking up. You need at least three weeks to see some benefit when it comes to power. If you put in work twice a week all year long, you’ll reach your aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Hills are also helpful in power development—twenty- to thir- ty-second uphill sprints, and also incorporate strides. Focus on form, get up on the balls of your feet and drive your arms, and concentrate on maintaining a fast cadence. You don’t feel like you’re doing speed work, but it’s at the end of your workout, so you are working hard. I have a training program for overall athleticism and injury prevention. It’s about building a strong foundation. Focus on what you need to work on and then, with hard work, unleash your power within.

Kate Van Buskirk, 30, from Brampton, Ontario, is Canada’s indoor mile record holder, with a time of 4:26:92. The 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist is a two-time national cross-country champion. Her Instagram account is @K8VBeast.

I believe in volume. Many runners hold back from the long run, but you need to take comfort in that back-third distance—get used to that 22K to 35K space. Runners do a lot of 10K and even 15K runs, but if you’re looking to run a marathon, or more, prep for the 22K and then 30K run scenario. You’ll be that much better on race day when your stride and posture begin to turn. Running more than a marathon distance to build endurance takes at least three long runs. At 40K to 50K, your body is asking to stop. I need at least three to four long runs a week and for endurance, I’ll sacrifice shorter runs. It’s about learning to run on tired legs, learning to adapt to your joint and soft tissues at those points. Even if you have to take a day off the next day, it’s worth it. Runners tend to focus on weekly mileage. It’s something we brag about, but it doesn’t serve the benefit of being a closer in endu- rance distances. From a mental perspective, the mind only knows two things—the pictures we draw and the words we tell it—so don’t use the words pain, suffering and agony. By painting the training run or race as being hard, it becomes hard. I love running because I can push through limits and create and break new ceilings all the time.

Dave Proctor, 37, from Okotoks, Alta., recently attempted to run across Canada to raise $1-million for Rare Diseases, a cause inspired by his nine-year-old son, Sam. He owns the Canadian record in the 24-hour road race. To learn more, go to outrunrare.com.

Don’t think about how long you’ll be running fast for. Instead, enjoy the moment of the pace you’re at, keep going as far as possible with it and gradually build up to your top speed. In order to run faster, runners need to focus on developing natural stamina and quickness. It’s been very beneficial during certain training blocks to focus on speed in one workout session, then focus on strength in another. During speed wor- kouts, usually the focus is 300m, 200m and some 600m for a little extra strength. Keep changing up your workouts, so that when race day comes, you’ve gotten experience in all manners of practice. Run fast in practice to run fast in a race. Having speed and being able to use it effectively are different things. During a race, you should always be attentive and be thinking of when you’re comfortable with planning your kick and, with that in mind, always have a little energy set aside for if a competitor is closing in with 50 or 100 metres to go. When I’m trying to tap into my extra kick, I think about all I have put into training, how I may hurt in the moment, but how I’ll hurt even more if I finish the race wishing I could have dug deeper. You can run fast. Prepare yourself in practice, execute during your race. Do not let your mind beat you. Want to get to that next level? Decide that being good isn’t good enough.

Justyn Knight, 22, from Toronto, Ontario, is the 2017 NCAA DI Men’s Cross Country National Champion. In 2017, Knight won the individual ACC championship, and Syracuse, his American university, won the ACC team title for its fifth straight year. Follow him on Twitter, @Justyn_Knight.

Fall in Love with Fall’s new Marathon SSQ de Québec

Ben Kaplan

October 29, 2018

Did you know you can run a marathon in a fortified city in Canada? In fact, it’s the only fortified city in North America and it’s in la belle province. Nestled in between the Laurentian Mountains to the north and the Adirondack Mountains to the south, Québec City sits in a valley that offers a glorious, new race course. However, to truly enjoy the Marathon SSQ de Québec, October 11-13, 2019, there are a few important things that you need to do:

You need to love the dazzling colours of autumn—with 2019’s new date, it’s prime season to run amongst the changing of colours of autumn.
You need to love the new pre-race SSQ Grand Fit+Yoga session, with DJ sounds, and also serving DavidsTea and ClifBar nutrition.
You need to love history—Québec City is 400 years old, and that’s only the history of European settlers. The name Québec (kébec) derives from an Algonquin word for “where the river narrows.”

You need to love architecture—from Georgian to Victorian to International Style, see if you notice the transition between the styles as you stroll through this walkable city.
You need to appreciate UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which basically is the entire District of Vieux Québec.
You need to love running past historic sites, such as the battlefield between the English and the French on the Plains of Abraham, the birthplace of the WWII secret military conference QUADRANT, and one of the oldest houses in Old Québec, Aux Anciens Canadiens that is also one of the long standing restaurants serving traditional French-Canadian fare.
You need an appreciation for art…where the old is juxtaposed with the new in the Quartier Petit Champlain.
You will appreciate the words of encouragement in French with splatterings of “Let’s Go!,” en anglais.

Your friends/family members will need to have a penchant for tantalizing restaurants, chic boutiques and historical monuments as they wait for you to past. They can dance to DJ tunes in Limoilou, grab a healthy smoothie in Saint-Roch, or taste test some fine teas in Maguire. Supporters can also track runners using the new app RTRT.me.
You must appreciate the glorious start and finish area, in the heart of the new city for easy access to your hotel, and cafes/restaurants. Patrizio & Co., offers a Table D’Hôte du Coureur for participants.
You gotta love the new party site at Place George-V and Parc de la Francophone, with post-race beer, DJ music, and smiling volunteers.

Of course, you don’t HAVE to love all of these things, but all of them are yours to discover and enjoy at one of the premiere races in not just Canada, but in the whole world.

If you have check off any of the above, then the Marathon SSQ de Québec, Half Marathon, 10K/5K and kid’s race, is for you and your family. See you there.

iRun Radio

Why I Run

October 29, 2018

Find out the attraction of running the Philadelphia Marathon for the 25th year in the row. Then, the inspiring story of a runner who participated in a marathon, a year after a devastating situation. Plus, some advice from Canadian Olympian Sage Watson.

STWM in Review – Issue 7, 2018

Ben Kaplan

October 25, 2018

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