On Sunday, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu hit the Olympic standard, clocking 1:59:04 in the women’s 800 meters. This will be the 32-year-old’s third Olympics. It will also be her first as a mom.
Coming out of a frustrating race in Eugene, where her performance was less than she had hoped for, Bishop-Nriagu knew she needed to go for it in California. She had made plenty of sacrifices over the past year, including transplanting her family to Vancouver for a three-month training cycle.
“My husband Osi has been so amazing,” she says. “There is a balance I like to have between family and work, both bring me energy in different ways so I want to make my time [away] as efficient as I can.”
On the track in California, putting her trust in the pacer, got her through the first 600m fast—keeping her focused on pushing to the line in her last 100. It was close. So close she didn’t know she’d made the standard until her coach confirmed it. Three months out from Tokyo, she has a sense of relief because the new Olympic system has made it tough getting into races ranked high enough to meet qualifying standards.
How was she able to make a third run at an Olympic standard while still running after her daughter? For Bishop-Nriagu, when she got back to training, it was all about consistency. “I’ve had time to allow my body to rest and push it when necessary,” she says. “The biggest difference between 2018 and now is that I’ve consistently been putting my training together, like strings of months of training and I’ve remained injury-free.”
Looking ahead, Bishop-Nriagu is grateful for her team who have invested in her goal of an Olympic medal. “My goals haven’t changed and we have a small team of people who are very invested in this goal with me; including my late coach Dennis, and my daughter Corinne.” It’s the people she holds close to her—her daughter, her coaches, her family and her husband, who are the reasons she is fighting for this goal. “A successful Games will be shared with a lot of people in my corner, not just me.”
Olympic goals notwithstanding, Bishop-Nriagu admitted to still struggling with “mom guilt.” In speaking with other working moms, she found the advice she received was pretty simple: “Don’t sweat the small stuff. I know Corinne is fine, she’s happy and doesn’t seem to notice I’m gone,” she says. Yet even on this trip, she admits to feeling a little sad about being way from her daughter, wondering if it’s all worth it. “Now that I’ve run the standard, I can confidently say that yes, it was worth it.” And it fills her with pride, as she should, that Corinne is able to see her mom doing bad-ass things.
Anna Lee Boschetto is a regular iRun contributor, freelance writer and runner with two incredible daughters.
Kelly Wesa runs this weekend’s SportChek Mother’s Day event each year to honour her son’s fight and survival. An inspiring runner and human being, Kelly’s story is worth sharing to remind us all to challenge our limits and find the bright side: it’s out there, as Kelly proves year after year.
iRun: When did you first start running and how did the sport become super personal to you?
Kelly Wesa: Back in 2013 I wasn’t in the best place in life, a little overweight, left a very bad toxic relationship and was suffering from depression and anxiety. My therapist recommended physical activity and I couldn’t afford a gym membership so I decided to sign up for a program to train your dog to run with you. I really enjoyed it.
iRun: Did you immediate get hooked?
KW: It was once a week and I was able to meet new people and get out of the house and my dog was able to come with me as well. I really enjoyed running with her (and she did well!) The group and my dog kept me motivated to do the runs. I also wanted a lifestyle change and this definitely helped me. I fell in love with running. It became apart of my life and routine. It also became my therapy and in time I was able to get off of medication for my anxiety and depression because running helped me control it a lot better.
iRun: Tell me about your son and his birth. How did you support your mental health while stress and anxiety were so high?
KW: My son Luke is now 5 years old and I still can’t believe he’s 5. I had a pretty good pregnancy. I tried to run as long as I could before I had to stop. I moved out to Alberta when I was 20 weeks and knew I wanted to continue my running as much as possible during my pregnancy and afterwards. I was so lucky that I found a fitness group (Hot Mamas Fitness) that was all mothers or expecting mothers and you could bring your child to the workouts and they even had a running program which I was so excited for.
iRun: Can you describe Luke’s birth?
KW: His birth was a little scary to be honest. I was 10 days over due and had to be induced. I only got to 4cm and then I was rushed for an emergency C-section. Luke had gone into fetal distress and needed to be out right away, in that moment it was really scary, but the nurses at Rockyview Hospital were amazing. Luke had some issues with feeding and after 12 hours, he was rushed to the NICU to figure out what was wrong. The next time I saw him he had a feeding tube, which at first was really scary and hard to see, but again the doctors and nurses were truly amazing and explained everything and helped me through such a difficult time.
iRun: That sounds really hard.
KW: I had to leave the hospital before Luke did, which no one ever prepares you for, it was hard to leave my son at the hospital. I’m pretty sure I called the hospital every hour on his first night to see how he was. His nurse was so patient with me and answered all my questions and made me feel so comfortable at home. I didn’t have to leave Luke at the hospital long. He was able to come home on day 7, but those couple of days I had to go home without him, I knew I had the support from the staff. I was a first-time mom and didn’t have family close by as everyone was back home and Luke’s father had to work and also care for his other children as well. The nurses at Rockyview were truly my rock during such a scary time in our lives. I honestly don’t know what I would without all their support during our time there, they made such a huge difference for us.
iRun: Where did running come in?
KW: I didn’t want to give running up once I became a mom. Life definitely changes and I used running to help my mental health and anxiety and I knew it was important to me. I got the best running stroller so I knew Luke would be able to be part of my runs. Once I got the clearance from my doctor I was already in a run group by Hot Mama Fitness SE, and as a group we decided to do a 10km race. Being part of this group helped me enjoy racing and I fell in love. I ended up running my first race when Luke was 4-months-old and I kept going and pushing myself. Luke wasn’t the best at napping, but would always nap when I was able to run with him which help. Being able to run and him have a nap helped hugely.
iRun: Talk about the Mother’s Day run. Why do you particularly like that event?
KW: After I signed up for that one race, I signed up for emails about others races and that’s how I heard about the Mother’s Day Race and when I heard that it gives back to jumpstart and local NICU, I knew I wanted to do this race. So the following Mother’s Day I signed up to do it and I signed Luke up too. My dream has always been to do races with Luke and this was the perfect race to start with. I decided that instead of getting a Mother’s Day gift that I would like to donate money and do the race with Luke every year and that’s what I’ve been doing every since.
iRun: Very awesome.
KW: Back in 2019, Luke was 3 and he was understanding things and I explained that we do this race to help other babies in the NICU and that it’s our way to say Thank You to all the nurses and doctors because I don’t know what we would have done without their help. Back in 2020 the race was canceled but that didn’t stop us. We found a virtual race and decided to still donate to Calgary’s health for the NICU. This will be our 5th Mother’s Day race and even though it will be virtually, we’re excited. We have to be creative but we have a plan to make a finish line and as usual we will be donating to the NICU as our thank you to the nurses and doctors.
iRun: What do you plan to do to celebrate Mother’s Day and what’s your message for all the other running moms out there?
KW: For Mother’s Day, I’ll be doing the race with Luke and then most likely having a nice breakfast as a family at home and relaxing for the rest of the day. My message for other mothers who are runners is to keep going and not to give up on your running. Life can be busy with children, but taking that time for yourself is so important. My running is my therapy and it helps me be a better mother to Luke and my step children. There’s days it’s hard to get the runs in and sometimes they have to join you, but no matter what: don’t ever give up on your goals.
25,000 runners took to the start line at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2017.
Kevin Jones is a reasonable, smart, data-driven director of risk management who’s worked with everyone from the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to the Rolling Stones. As American races open up with in-person options, we asked Jones the question on runner’s minds: when will Canada do the same?
Ben Kaplan: What do you do and how do you do it and who do you do it for?
Kevin Jones: I’m an executive director at Odyssey Medical and we’re a risk management service for any mass gathering. Pre-COVID, 2019, we assessed more than 2,000 events across Canada, from the Fury 5K to the Rolling Stones concert.
BK: I received an email that Alanis Morissette was playing Toronto in July. Will that happen?
KJ: No.
BK: Definitely not?
KJ: Not with spectators and a crowd. Until we’ve got the vaccination rate above 70%, I don’t think will there be any kinds of large groups gathering. And look at the major music festivals, even the ones in Quebec have been cancelled this summer.
BK: What are you seeing across the country?
KJ: Struggling. Look at Alberta. The province was pushing the boundaries and now it’s become the country’s new COVID-19 hotbed.
BK: Are we going to have in-person races in Canada?
KJ: I wouldn’t anticipate it. Not until there’s stabilization of our medical care units and the ICUs aren’t above capacity.
BK: You work with Canada Running Series and I dreamed on my Sunday long run of crossing that finish line with a PB and drinking a beer afterwards amongst adoring crowds. Is that happening?
KJ: There’s high potential for some small local Canadian races. The local races used to be feeders to the big events, but now the feeders are going to be our leaders. I think in 2021 and 2022, there’s going to be a reverse paradigm: the leaders will look at the breeders and feeders and study how their race went.
BK: Can’t we have races in the fall?
KJ: We need to prove to the government any sporting event can be done with a very high margin of safety and there’s lots of variables working with us to get back to in-person racing, including that you’d see compliant behaviour amongst runners to whatever rules were in play because people so badly want to do stuff.
BK: I love that. Whatever the rules are, we’ll follow. Just let us race!
KJ: It’s a passionate crowd that loves racing and I think you’d certainly expect more compliance at a race than, say, a big box store where people don’t feel particularly close to their event. But look at the rules around golf that Canada has adopted. Ontario is the only North American jurisdiction banning golfing outdoors and it’s beyond a reasonable doubt that it’s less risky than other activities based on outdoor space and distance.
BK: Running races are outdoors and distanced.
KJ: They are, but there is uncertainty on the course and we don’t want people to congregate.
BK: There are Canadian races being planned for in-person events this summer and fall. The Muskoka Marathon on October 3. The sold-out Petit du Nord in Quebec on October 3. The Banff Marathon, Melissa’s Road Race and all over Prince Edward Island. Is this indicative of a return to racing in Canada?
KJ: I think there’s hope these are going to happen. And I certainly think a structured race of 3 to 500 people sees more behavioural compliance than, say, a protest of 200 people.
BK: What about races in Canada?
KJ: There’s evidence that outdoor sporting activities are lower risk than something like concerts, but I don’t suspect we’ll see large gatherings of people in Canada in 2021.
BK: What’s a large gathering?
KJ: Remains to be determined, but in the context of 2021? Over 1,000 people. In terms of what’s the difference between 1,000 and 5,000 people, all of that will be determined in time.
BK: So how will racing evolve?
KJ: Small cohorts of, say, groups of 250 people racing at any one time so that by the end of the day, maybe 1,000 people ran the course, but never were they all running at the same time.
BK: It’s infuriating that while we can’t race with 10,000 people, 20,000 people will run Boston.
KJ: Their vaccination rate is leaps and bounds ahead of ours and I think the new normal is that everyone has to be thankful for whatever they have the opportunity to do.
BK: True, but still sucks.
KJ: No doubt it’s challenging for everyone and the regional differences do make things tough. Even here in Ontario, different parts of the province have issued different lockdown protocols
BK: So where are we at?
KJ: A local race with 500 people in Canada is an experience worth having. But I don’t think anyone should set their hops on a 2019-type racing experience in Canada. That’s still a year away.
BK: What are the benchmarks we should look at for when things become normal?
KJ: Vaccination rates above 70% and the healthcare capacity at a manageable level. Before we get there, no large-scale event director will be issued a permit. Nor would they want one.
Dr. Brooke Nichols is a marathon runner, health economist and infectious disease mathematical modeler. She’s been working with the Boston and Chicago Marathon as both of North America’s premiere events announced a return to in-person races this October. This week, as many Canadians shared their Boston acceptance letters, Dr. Nichols also released her white paper on the safety of races and determined, largely due to the vaccination rates in the United States and the minimal risk of COVID-19 transmission outdoors, that in-person racing held minimal risk. iRun editor Ben Kaplan reached Dr. Nichols to discuss her findings and better assess our current racing environment.
Ben Kaplan: Tell us exactly what you do.
Dr. Brooke Nichols: I’m an infectious disease modeller and have been working exclusively in global policy around the coronavirus for the past year.
BK: And you’re familiar with the flow of large-scale running races?
BN: I do them all the time, so the intersection of racing and pandemics are really a marriage of my passions, unfortunately.
BK: Where do we currently stand with regards to our return to racing?
BN: Boston’s coming in October. 27,000 participants are running Los Angeles in November and the Chicago Marathon is scheduled on Sunday, October 10.
BK: Are these events going to be like the races we’ve run before?
BN: Not exactly. The approach we’re taking is to prioritize all the touch points of a race to determine what matters and what doesn’t.
BK: What doesn’t?
BN: There’s two subsets when we talk about races: the big ones, where people come from everywhere into a community, and the small local events that are mostly run by members of the local community. People congregating impacts the local community, but it’s also about who’s coming into the community and how it affects local transmission. That’s one of the big things organizers need to look at regarding the Olympics.
BK: Right, and the Olympics are scheduled for this July. So how do we safely run a race? What’s going to happen with Boston?
BN: First, ensure that people don’t arrive sick. Athletes are notoriously stubborn. I ran Comrades 90K sick, not good. Now, however, I think people are aware with the coronavirus that if you’re sick and don’t feel well, don’t race. Boston and the bigger races might have more trouble with that then the local events because if you’ve trained forever for a goal race, it’s hard not to show up.
BK: How do races make sure runners aren’t racing sick?
BN: Allow mechanisms for refunds or compensatory measures. We don’t want to incentivize people to show up sick.
BK: What about testing?
BN: That’s going to be hard for smaller races, at least right now. Later, when we start seeing home self-tests for like $3, when that starts to happen, that will change the calculus of things. Boston, for instance, is now suggesting that two negative COVID tests are required before race day, even if athletes have had two doses of a vaccine.
BK: Boston has also eliminated their staging area in Hopkinton and will release athletes in a rolling start. What else should we expect at in-person events this fall?
BN: At the starting line and finish lines, we recommend that runners wear masks.
BK: So not when you’re racing?
BN: Not when you’re racing, no. And we want to allow for two metres of spacing in the starting pen. We know that racers are going to crowd at the front, so that’s why, when distancing is hard, we want people in masks.
BK: Then you start your race, put your mask in your pocket and then throw it on after you cross the line?
BN: Basically. Though we are allowing people to breathe for a second at the end before they put the masks on. We don’t want people to congregate, but we understand people are a mess at the finish line and I don’t want to recommend immediately putting on a mask. I know how it feels to finish a race.
BK: I miss racing so much.
BN: We know so many of us do. And things will change as more people get the vaccine but for now, for instance, we’d want runners to put their masks back on before a volunteer gives them their medal.
BK: What other unique precautions will be taken?
BN: Waves of runners released in staggers over times.
BK: What precautions won’t be taken?
BN: Pre-packaged food or water. That’s not how coronavirus is transmitted. Sometimes we’ve gone over the top on the wrong things. I don’t want people to over-sanitize everything. It doesn’t matter for coronavirus transmission.
BK: There will be volunteers?
BN: Volunteers can be handing out water in masks, or manning water tables—but there may need to be more tables required than before to ensure people don’t congregate around a small aid station.
BK: Races have already been happening. What have we learned from the events that have been held?
BN: There’s been races of 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 people in the U.S. and there’s not been a documented case of runners getting the coronavirus. I will say, however, that’s a difficult metric to determine, but a big outbreak we’d certainly hear about.
BK: And there was a 5,000 person event held recently in Japan.
BN: That’s right. It was reported publicly and again, there wasn’t a single case of COVID-19.
BK: So the news for a return to running seems broadly good.
BN: I think so. There’s more and more data about the spread of COVID outdoors being minimal and during the race itself, the most vulnerable people are the staff members or volunteers working together all day.
BK: Do you think it’s safe to run an in-person event?
BN: I think the risk of transmission at an outdoor event, especially when you run and zigzag through a course and don’t run in a pack or arrive on a bus together, are safe, yes. I think races returning look really good in the United States for the fall.
Author and journalist Robyn Doolittle on her love/hate relationship with running and why running is a lot like writing. We’ll talk to Heather Larmer, a runner who is participating in the virtual 10k at Ottawa Race Weekend and has a wonderful story about the first time she joined her father in a race. And runner and coach Phaedra Kennedy about how to maintain your energy and find a little inspiration as the pandemic continues well beyond what most of us expected.
These days especially, moms everywhere are doing some serious multitasking. Whether the mom (or moms) in your life are avid runners, walkers or somewhere in between, we all know the importance of making time for ourselves is no easy task. Factor in balancing home schooling, work life and the general house and family routines and it’s nothing short of a challenge. Finding a Mother’s Day gift during lockdown is definitely not easy, so we’ve rounded up a selection of gift ideas that are the perfect pick-me-up for every runner, whether or not your a mom.
Best Foot Forward Focused on offering a smoother and softer ride than ever, ASICS Gel-Cumulus 23 has all the high-tech innovation you expect from the brand. Along with ASICS Flyefoam technology, in this reimagined version there’s added technology in the midsole which improves durability without compromising flexibility. Plus with the shoe’s upper constructed from at least 20% recycled materials showcasing the brand’s ongoing commitment to the environment makes us all feel like we’re doing our part when we’re buying new kicks. No matter what your pace, this shoe is pretty much the perfect fit for keeping every mother runner going their distance.
More Motivation Moms are the first ones to boost our motivation. Now it’s your turn to give her a healthy boost with Fitbit Sense, the ultimate smartwatch. Featuring tools that help monitor stress management, menstrual tracking, and heart health, plus more than 20 goal-based exercise modes, this is the smartwatch every fitness-minded mom needs in her life. Now until Mother’s Day, you can enjoy a $70 price savings on select smartwatches and fitness trackers. $400, www.Fitbit.com
Run For Mom This year, you can run, walk or ride the Sport Chek Mother’s Day race anywhere in Canada! That’s right, from Friday May 7 to Sunday May 9, you can choose your route, pace and distance and run this virtual right in your own neighbourhood. For nearly 50 years this race has been part of the Calgary running scene, supporting Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and Calgary Health Foundation. You’ll find an exceptional swag bag including an exclusive Sport Chek VIP savings. Register Today! $35, runcalgary.ca
Gotta Have Shades Sunny days are ahead we know this much is true. Whether she’s sitting in your backyard or blazing the trails, she’ll appreciate the light-weight, no-bounce fit of Goodr sunglasses. These polarized shades are available in a range of cool hues at such an affordable price point, you’ll want to buy her two pairs, or pick out one for yourself. $35, goodr.com
Bottoms Up We all need a reminder to stay hydrated throughout the day. The new Geode Rose Tumbler from S’well has the beauty of rose quartz that makes it a welcome addition on her desktop. Featuring a triple layer of insulation that retains hot or cold temperatures for several hours at a time, the 24oz size makes it ideal whether you’re on the go or working-from-home. Added bonus: the straw is included. $35, Swell.com
But First, Coffee From early mornings to midday slumps, coffee is the great equalizer that consistently helps mothers and runners keep it together. Not only is Marathon Coffee, a female led coffee roaster, but the beans are also sourced from female farm owners. Pick up a trio sampler and score extra points with everyone’s mom. $38/sample trio, marathoncoffeeco.ca
Embrace Your Natural Beauty Braving the elements means that running takes a toll on everyone’s skin. Burt’s Bees Miracle Balm soothes and moisturizes dry skin, lips, cuticles and just about anywhere. The non-greasy formulation is natural plant-derived balm that instantly absorbs into your skin. Using natural origin ingredients, including cocoa butter, Miracle Balm blends into skin whether or not you’re wearing makeup. burtsbees.ca
Anna Lee Boschetto is a runner, mom and regular contributor to iRun.
Derek Hergott lives in Waterloo, Ontario and finds inspiration in Terry Fox. The 39-year-old father and husband is a special needs educator and committee organizer on the Waterloo Terry Fox Run. “It’s not just Terry, but how the whole nation was stacked behind him,” says Hergott, who began work on his 10-hour tattoo in 2007 over two marathon sessions. “It’s been more than 40 years since his Marathon of Hope and I just want to commemorate how phenomenal he was—his legacy is still here.”
The Terry Fox Foundation has seen many different iterations of tattoos of Mr. Fox. Reached over email, Darrell Fox shared two of his personal favourites, down below.
To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $825,000,000 and funded more than 1,000 innovative research projects. Terry Fox Runs are held to raise money for charities in schools throughout the country and, when asked on Facebook who our readers would most like to run with, 80% of the respondents named Terry Fox. (The other 20% were family members who we’re all missing during COVID-19). For Derek Hergott, an ultra-marathoner who began running on a Wednesday night with his local Running Room chapter and became hooked on our sport, Terry Fox is the greatest Canadian.
“I find the inspiration of Terry Fox incredibly powerful,” says Hergott, adding that he’s been growing his beard for the past four years and will be shaving it September 1 in order to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. His fundraising goal? $10,000.
“Terry Fox is one of those Canadians whose impact is still being felt,” says Hergott. “I’m not just talking about in Canada, but all over the world.”
Hergott says he may be in the market for another tattoo. Perhaps another Terry Fox image as an arm sleeve. First, however, he needs the go-ahead from his wife.
To make a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation, click here. If you have a Terry Fox tattoo that you want shared with Darrell Fox, email Ben Kaplan at ben@irun.ca.
Spring is finally here! It can be hard to stay motivated over the winter, especially with the lack of races this year. But regardless, as the sun starts to shine, running outdoors becomes much more fun again and motivation is probably never higher than at this time of the year.
This, in turn, usually means logging more miles!
Whether you are building your endurance for the first time, or just shaking off the cobwebs, the key to early season long runs is both progression and proper fuelling.
If you haven’t been running much over the winter, take the time to slowly build upon your long runs. It will help you avoid injury. By adding no more than 20-30% to your long run each time, it will give your body time to adapt. For example, if you were running 7-8 kilometres a couple of times a week during the winter, then a long run of 10K is an ideal first step, followed by 12, 15, 18 and so on. It’s better to build gradually than leaping too quickly towards those 20K runs like when you were training for last autumn’s marathon. Listen to your body, rest if you are aching, and don’t forget to stretch and foam roll.
When it comes to fuelling your long runs, unless it is a specific type of training, you are always best to start with the tank topped up and a proper pre-run snack inside you.
Three tips for fuelling:
Something simple
carb-based
at least 1-2 hours before your run (note: my go-to snack is either a bowl of porridge or a banana—or both).
During your run, if you are pushing 90-minutes, then some energy during the run will help you avoid bonking. Even if you are not at race pace, there is a chance your glycogen stores will get depleted. If during a race you might eat a gel or energy bar every 30-45 minutes, then during training at a lower speed, every 45-60 minutes would work. Even just carrying a spare bar is handy should you find your energy dipping by surprise.
It may not be 25C out yet, but hydration is still important. Over the winter, our bodies adapt to the cold, and so will work harder to control the body’s temperature in the warmer weather. Sweat that might have stayed on our skin or soaked into a base layer will now evaporate making the loss of fluids less obvious. Remember to drink before and after your run at least, and you can follow the tips from our hydration blog to better plan your hydration.
Enjoy the warm weather, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
Dr. Jon Hooper is an ICU doctor who has led the medical team at Ottawa Race Weekend for many years. He will talk to us about running during the pandemic and share his very strong opinion about whether you should wear a mask when you’re running. Scott Jordan is running a half-marathon next month to raise money for a critically important mental health program for children. And the incredible story of Danielle Avery, who cares for her husband, who has ALS, and is running to raise money for the ALS Society.
When the 25th Anniversary of pride & remembrance run was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteer-led board was determined to celebrate this milestone in 2021, whether it be in person or virtually. We are proud to announce that the pride & remembrance run is back to celebrate twenty-five fun. fast. fab. years of bringing runners and walkers together to promote and foster community spirit in the Canadian LGBTQ+ community! This year is unique as the virtual race format allows runners to participate across Canada during Race Week June 19-27, and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the pride & remembrance run.
For the first time ever, as a virtual event, the pride & remembrance run will offer a race kit party box shipped free to registered participants in Canada that includes a medal, limited edition souvenir items, personalized bibs, stickers and more. US participants can receive their race kits for a small additional shipping charge. The race is also introducing some exciting new options for this year’s event—a kids race, a 25km anniversary team challenge and a free community option to ensure that everyone is able to participate including international runners.
The pride & remembrance run has selected over 25+ ambassadors that are eager to connect, inspire and promote the race’s message of inclusion and giving back to the community. This year’s roaster of ambassadors represents a diverse array of experienced and new runners, LGBTQ+ identifying community members, allies and elite athletes. You can check out all of the 2021 ambassadors here, please feel free to reach out to them if you have any questions about race prep, are looking for training tips or need some pointers on how to take a great runfie (running selfie)!
The pride & remembrance run is the largest and longest-running pride run in Canada and one of the most popular running events in the GTA. Since 1996, the Pride and Remembrance Association has raised over $2 million for local charities that support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community.
“The pride & remembrance run is all about being different, unique, and being yourself. It is the reason why and how the run serves the community.” said PRA President, Christopher Brohman. “This annual tradition promotes inclusivity and diversity in a welcoming environment that allows everyone to achieve their own goals fostering community spirit, goodwill and sportsmanship in the LGBTQ+ community while raising critical funds that support the chosen beneficiaries. The annual run/walk is devoted to the celebration and support of Toronto’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.”
Follow the pride & remembrance run on Instagram @priderunto to learn more about the event and visit their website to register for this year’s virtual event starting April 25.
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