What you say? Yes you read that correctly. Pete Estabrooks aka the Fitness Guy, did his time in the clink. Time that molded who he is today, and why he is forever striving to not only be the best he can be, but to bring out the best in others.

At 66-years-old Estabrooks has a lifetime of memories with many more to come. But he has decided now is the time to document his life in a frank and revealing memoir to be published by the end of the year. Titled Happily NEver After: a Fitness Miracle, it is written in a style that is ‘just Pete’ – writing as he talks and as many know him.

From his first robbery at 18-years-old and his time in jail where the gym became his escape hatch—although not without its challenges—to his boxing career and beyond, the book is an exposé of his life—warts and all.

Estabrooks in his preface to his book says: “The goal of the book is to entertain, perhaps inspire you. My recollections of these events are
exactly that, recollections. I am an optimist.”

Optimist and a fighter—no pun intended— as he has been all his life.

His early life he says was: “hectic yet eventful,” with an independent dad, a funny mom and six “off the wall siblings.” Boxing was his passion—from an eight-year-old sparring at the Renfrew Boys Club in Calgary and tackling some punch bags in the prison gym, to turning pro and developing the TKO Sport Conditioning Program at his gym, The Fitness Guy.

“Boxing presented me my first taste of acceptance. It brought me the attention and admiration of my father. Further to that I connected with my true self in the ring. I loved to fight, I loved the emotional maelstrom that overtook me whenever I stepped through the ropes, that feeling was to me as good as drugs. It was the fear and the ferocity of pitting myself against another in the ring that brought me an immediate and overwhelming excitement I had never experienced before or since.”

And he took it seriously.

“The year after getting out of jail I won the provincial boxing title in my weight-class and went to the Canadian National Boxing Championships. I lost at the nationals but came home with a completely new and highly regarded social status. I was a positive role model.”

His path to being a fitness trainer wasn’t linear. While he worked out, he believes that he was on a path, one that was chosen for him.
“I pursued a physical education degree because I thought it would make me a better boxer.”

Estabrooks graduated from the University of Calgary in 1989. “I used that degree and started teaching aerobics, honestly because it paid money and exposed me to a lot of women! I didn’t consider it work. Personal training was an extension of that, not work, but because I was fascinated by the many ways that we could physically improve the human experience.”

Running has also always been part of his life. He ran five miles daily while boxing and after retiring from the ring, it became a life habit: “I realized that running was key to my sanity my vanity and my health.” A self-confessed slow runner, his passion is long distances: “longer distances give me a greater sense of accomplishment and provides me a calm background in which to order my thoughts.”

He proudly completed his first 100-kilometre race this past summer—an achievement made very special as it was in memory of his ‘running brother’ Gord Hobbins who passed away earlier this year. “What started as a tribute to Gord ended being a celebration of friendship, resilience, tenacity and joy,” he shared on Instagram.

His other passion is being on the water. “I have two happy places: waves or trails. Waves, surfing, is intensely in the moment, there is no time to think or strategize only to be, to react and to enjoy. It’s magic. Trails are the opposite in that there is nothing but time, each footstep is just a piece of an intricate mosaic.”

Estabrooks lives his life with positivity. The mistakes he has made are still in his psyche, but the impact he has made on others, and will continue to make, outweighs those regrets.

What does he want to achieve moving forward?

“Being a better father, friend and person. I plan through example inspiring others to movement. I am going to laugh a lot, love a lot, find some magic and live happily ever after.

IMPACT was granted exclusive excerpts from chapters in Pete Estabrooks’s new memoir. Warning: Contains adult material.

CHAPTER ONE:

Give Me All Your **** Money!

“No **** . . . pull the drawer out of the till and throw in everything including the big bills. You keep $50, the rest in the bag and I’m the **** out of here. For real! Hurry because I can just shoot you and keep the $50.

I’m yelling of course as much to convince myself as the youngster behind the till. It’s not a movie but it works like one. I am an 18-year-old in 1977 pre-internet, pre-support group, pre-young offenders act on a Wednesday night. I am wired to the point of near spontaneous combustion during this: my first ever attempt at armed robbery. It is seemingly an adventure of a lifetime. This spur of the moment event began three hours ago when Michael S stopped to grab a quarter ounce of cocaine with no cash in his hand. My line was, “Mike, I can’t front your ****. You are still $800 in the hole from last week.” So, Michael left. Oddly, he leaves, only to return 20 minutes later with a paper bag full of cash.

“What is up with that?” He spun a story of walking down the street to a gas station, pulling out a gun (air pistol) and walking away with money enough to settle his debts and get a couple of lines ahead. This tale of an easy and, more importantly, lucrative armed robbery lit up the room. That five-minute conversation sent a house full of middle-class kids out on a whim, a dare, from a coffee table in a shoddy house northwest-side Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Ten of us, kids, singly, doubled up, or in groups of three, split from our homebase to rob stores and gas stations with knives, guns, and bats, only to return home unscathed with paper lunch bags full of cash and stories. This is the definition of awesome.

That night was my first robbery, ever.

I hadn’t as much as heisted a gun prior to this. No criminal activity. Well, I sold drugs but that wasn’t a crime, it was my mode of supporting myself, my rent, my groceries, my life. My enrolment into what was my definition of crime was as easy as walking five blocks from home to a gas station, long hair stuffed into a ball cap, sawed off 22 casually tucked into my down jacket. Lesson one? Armed robbery is totally as much fun and easily as spine tingling as cocaine.

The next night because I was on a roll and, I was on mescaline. I thought the obvious route was to go two for two. I brought a friend along. Marc was cooler than I, yet somewhat hesitant. Through the layered state of reality this hallucinogen provided, this was a far more colourful adventure than the night before. I watched things unfold in patterns, lines, and in mesmerizing film noir fashion. We were undersized Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid imposters. I really am a tiny human being, Marc not much bigger. We were aiming for a cash score while enjoying a buzz.

I devised a simple plan for Marc and me:

amble into a convenience store, grab an Oh Henry (chocolate bar), hand over a 20-dollar bill, and wait for the proprietor to open the till. Once the till was open, I’d instructed Marc to pull out his impressive looking hand-tooled BB gun, point it directly at the proprietor, look crazy and scream.

This had worked for me before. From there it was a matter of collecting a bag full of cash and running. We were four for five before the game went sideways.

Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats daily were my first fitness program. Its offshoot and its consequences would shape the rest of my life in the long run.

It took me a moment of just standing there, grinning, watching, thinking that maybe I should do something about the tug of war occurring in front of me. Marc was clutching the gun’s butt end, while the infuriated proprietor was pulling on the barrel. This was his store, and he was having none of our ****. Shaken out of my reverie, I leaned solidly over the counter and launched the straight right hand that Art Pollit taught me years earlier at the Renfrew Boy’s Boxing Club. Art’s advice was to start with your feet planted, pivot your hips, and then snap your shoulders into line. Like a bystander, I watched while the body I was occupying threw a punch that connected with a surprisingly solid thud.

The owner/proprietor pin-wheeled in a slow-motion arc of colour behind the counter only to emerge a year, a month, or a second later holding the gun confidently in his right hand.

The next moment, or thought I had, was a befuddled, “what the ****?” I am standing holding a door handle in my hand, just a door handle, the curved part with the thumb release. In my mescaline-induced, endorphin fuelled attempt at a quick exit of the premises, I had gripped the handle of the door and without engaging the release, I’d merely torn the handle out of its mounting. There was a closed door, there was an inoperable handle, and there was me. Trying to formulate a next step with my heart rate hovering around 200 beats per minute, I dug my fingers into a minuscule gap between the door and its frame and attempted to pry the door open. He punctuated each of the chants with pops of what, thank God, was only a serious looking BB pistol. He was emptying each round into Marc’s back and head.

I am in slow motion while Marc, and the shooter, more respectfully, the proprietor of the business, are moving so fast, there are traces of colour trailing their heads, shoulders, arms, and legs. Somehow, my slow trumps their speed as I peel back deftly and duck out of the way, Marc skids past me and dives, headlong through the pane of glass that makes up most of the door. I watch in awe while the screaming loud crescendos turn red, blue, yellow, and green. I remember smiling and feeling lighter than light. I jump through the huge hole Marc created, and I gleefully run off into the night, making a conscious mental note to thank Marc later for the opportunity.

CHAPTER TWO:
Two Years Less a Day

I’m in oversized clothing sitting on a steel frame bed staring at the toilet across from me wishing that this was how I could spend the next two years less a day. I’m not tired, I’m exhausted. I’m not scared, I am paralyzed.

I was not sure, at that age, how I would deal with life’s crossroads. I now know that I look at the absolutely most horrible thing that can happen in any given situation and start there.

I assume that’s it. It is over. From that point, anything better than the absolute horror that I imagine is a total score,
a win. I am an optimistic pessimist. I’m pretty sure I’m going to die, but confident it won’t hurt that much.

By day three, boredom overtook fear. The exercise breaks, the half hour walks in the open-air cement compound revealed that perhaps there were hardened criminals in here, but most of my compatriots were like me, less than laser focused guys just getting by. I did not talk to anyone, avoided eye contact and was succinct when spoken to. I decided from day one, these were not my people.

To kill time, I took advantage of the library cart and read voraciously. I read a smorgasbord of what was available. I read Papillon, ironically, the greatest prison escape book ever and that inspired me to become fit in my cell, as if there were some correlation between a French penal colony and a suburban North American provincial jail. Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats daily were my first fitness program. Its offshoot and its consequences would shape the rest of my life in the long run, but its immediate effect set my next eighteen months in motion.

Day fourteen of incarceration was big, I’d seen the councillors, done the tests, and was marked as fit for the south wing: kitchen duty. I was out of cell block and onto the floor. South wing, like all wings, was dormitory style living. Beds, desks, and metal lockers for rows and rows. A guard walked me down, showed me to my area, my bed, and gave me the drill about what’s allowed not allowed, cleanliness, noise, cleanliness expectations and cleanliness. There was a theme, “you may be a criminal, but you’ll be a neat one while you are here.” The guard escorted me to the councillor who covers behaviour expectation, work hours and recreation hours, TV, library, gym. No work was assigned on the first day, so I lounge, I read, and around 4:30 I go to the gym. Fitness is my goal, but wouldn’t you know it, trouble follows me like a lonely puppy.

There is a guy doing bench press on the incline bench to my left, so I pick up a straight bar loaded with maybe all of twenty pound and begin to crank off a set of biceps curls.

“Pssst, hey cutie!” I pretended not to hear.

“Hey, cutie!” I heard that. I heard it and ignored it.

“Cutie talk to me. I know you must be in south wing; I’ll see you later.

”The word “later” had barely cleared his lips as I turned. I watched him **** himself knowing what was coming and not having time to get out from under his own bar. I lifted my bar overhead and it sounded like a sledgehammer cleanly striking a spike as it clashed and both bars formed an iron cross and crashed into his chest.

His legs were still astraddle the bench he was sitting on while his torso draped to the floor pinned by bars. Bending over him, I dug right in with both hands. Bam, bam, bam, pop bang, boom. Leveraging all 125 pounds of me with each punch. The BOOM coincided with a strange anti-gravity moment. It dawned on me my feet were lifting off the ground because my ragtag haircut was now entangled in the clenched fist of a previously unnoticed guard.

He lifted me deftly with one hand the other delivering an open-handed splat to the side of my face and dropped me ungraciously off the stage to the gym floor. I had just enough time to put two and two together, taste the rusty trace of blood in my mouth before being frog marched out of the gym, out of the wing, down a hall and dropped into a windowless cement cube.

This is solitary confinement. It is a room full of nothing. A cement room with a metal bed frame hanging from one wall a toilet sitting on another. Room service, no books, no conversation. 6:00 am breakfast. 12:00 noon lunch. 6:00 pm dinner. 9:00 pm a thin mattress and blanket delivered. 11:00 pm the lone light bulb turns off. 5:00 am lights on. 6:00 am mattress and blanket removed. Two weeks on my own.

My push-ups, sit-ups, and squats cranked up to twenty sets of ten each. That, and lots of curled up sleeping in a corner on the floor. Papillon, the amazing French prison escapee, I was not. 

Happily NEver After: a Fitness Miracle by Pete Estabrooks, will be
self-published and available by Christmas from www.thefitnessguy.me.

Photography: Brian Bookstrucker

Clothing: Less 17

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Read This Story in Our 2025 Fall Fitness Issue

IMPACT Magazine’s Fall Fitness Issue 2025 featuring the The Fitness Guy, Pete Estabrooks, telling all with his shockingly candid new memoir revealing a story you never expected, as well as former pro soccer player Simon Keith and Paralympian Erica Scarff. Find your ultimate guide to cross-training for runners, no jump cardio and superset workouts along with the best trail running shoes in our 2025 Trail Running Shoe Review, and so much more!

Kiin Run Club – Paris
Instagram – DLSCHKsNRad
Facebook – we.are.kiin

Photography – Rony Wan

Fun, community, welcoming: that is how Maria Sanchez, founder of Kiin, describes this vibrant running club. Sanchez started the club in 2020 during COVID-19, as a way to make connections and bring together people from all walks of life. Boosted by social media, the club grew and now organizes two runs a week and partakes in races such as the Paris Marathon and Half-Marathon.

The name Kiin is derived from the English word kin (your tribe) and the Greek word kean (to move). Kiin: a safe space to meet up with your tribe and move together.

They meet Wednesdays at 7 a.m. for a seven-kilometre run and Sundays at 9 a.m. for 12 kilometres. All runs start at Le Peleton Café with routes that take in iconic landscapes such as the Marais and Seine River pathway, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and Ile Saint-Louis.
Visitors are welcome to join. Just show up!

All levels are welcome.

Retiro Running – Madrid
Instagram – retirorunning
Facebook – retirorunningmadrid

Photography – Manuel Méndez

Retiro Running takes its name from El Retiro Park, one of the largest city parks in Madrid and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is here on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. that this social run club meets.

The club was founded in 2021 by Manuel Méndez who wanted to foster a relaxed form of running while embracing camaraderie. The park is a perfect spot for the group to embark on various distances from five to 12 kilometres, exploring the 142-hectare site that features 150,000 trees, meandering paths, and a lake.

There are also organized runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the winter and 8 p.m. in the summer. The club also explores other areas of Madrid including the Paseo del Prado, a magnificent boulevard that is a highlight of artistic splendour, featuring the Prado Museum and the Neptune Fountain. In addition to running, the club organizes other sports and social events to embrace and foster an all-inclusive community.

DNA Running Collective – Berlin
Instagram – dedicationnattitude

Photography – Aaron McCammon

DNA’s weekly run motto is “Run for All.” On Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m., runners gather on Maybachufer in the district of Neukölln to run along the Landwehr Canal, one of the many iconic areas of Berlin.

DNA (Dedication N Attitude) is a multi-cultural club with over 18 nationalities represented, welcoming runners from all over the world. As one of the more diverse running clubs in Berlin, they run distances from five kilometres to marathons, welcoming both serious and casual runners.

Berlin’s running scene is vibrant and there is no shortage of notable districts and landmarks for the club to explore. The Tiergarten is a large urban park—and where the Berlin Marathon starts—with tree-lined streets and paths. The Berlin Wall Trail is a historical path, perfect for exploring the dramatic history of the city, and then there are the bridges, which the city is built around, connecting diverse neighbourhoods. With no membership fees, DNA’s philosophy is to be an all-inclusive club making running accessible to anyone.

London City Runners – London
Website – www.londoncityrunners.com
Instagram – Londoncityrunners

Photography – London City Runners

London features many famous landmarks and there is no better way to explore the U.K.’s capital city than by running on the River Thames pathway. That is exactly what the London City Runners (LCR) do every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The club, founded in 2010, styles itself as a social hub in the city, attracting hundreds of runners over the years. The weekly river runs all start at the LCR Clubhouse on Druid Street, where everyone is encouraged to stay after the run for a drink.

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the runners head west along the pathway towards the Millennium Bridge for a six-and-a-half-kilometre run, Blackfriars Bridge for eight kilometres or Westminster Bridge for 11 kilometres. On Sundays, the route goes east with options for a 10- or 18-kilometre route that takes in Greenland Pier or Tower Bridge. There is no charge for the runs, but registering as a member on their website is encouraged. The club also has track nights and a “Couch to 5K” program.

Kirribilli Runners – Sydney
Website – www.kirribillirunners.org
Facebook – kirribillirunners

For 19 years, the Kirribilli Runners has been active on the Sydney running scene, hosting twice weekly runs and participating in community events. This free social run club welcomes runners of all ages and abilities as they pursue running goals and support local races.

Their name is derived from the Aboriginal word kiarabilli, meaning “good fishing spot.” On Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. they gather to run the KR Classic, a scenic six-kilometre route that starts at the Harbour Bridge and takes in the Cahill expressway, local tombstone art and the world-famous Sydney Opera House.

The run, suitable for all abilities, is followed by drinks at the Kirribilli Hotel and then pizza. On Mondays at 6:30 p.m., there is an intermediate training run of 10 kilometres—the KR10K—to Waterman’s Cove, Barangaroo, home of the world’s largest underwater living sea wall, preserved as a garden. The run starts and ends at the Harbour Bridge.

Midnight Runners – Worldwide
Website – www.midnightrunners.com
Instagram – midnightrunners

Photography – David Altabev

Want to incorporate a few burpees during your run … and run to music? Then the Midnight Runners could be your crew. Located in cities worldwide, this volunteer-led group puts the fun into every run.

Their runs are from five to 10 kilometres but are intermingled with bodyweight exercises designed so you can mix and mingle with fellow runners during the run. These bootcamp runs are all about bringing like-minded people together to get to know each other and the city they live in. Each run ends with a social event with dancing, music and more fun!

Midnight Runners are in 18 cities across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America, and North America, with 240 “crew” captains and more than 10,000 members.

To find a city, check out their website which has a full list, then download their free app—Heylo—find the schedule, and book the event (recommended as they can sell out).

Parkrun – Worldwide
Website – www.parkrun.com
Instagram – parkrunuk

Photography – Joseph Camilleri

When looking for one of the greatest running club successes in the world, look no further than parkrun. In 2004, 13 runners started the concept of a free community run on a weekend with the aim of running five kilometres. Fast forward to 2025, and 22 countries and millions of participants get together weekly in what has become a global running phenomenon.

The non-competitive, volunteer-led initiative originated in Bushy Park, Teddington, U.K. with the simple “cookie-cutter concept” that could be easily replicated by other communities. From tabulating results on paper and using washers bought from hardware stores, a barcode results system was developed, which is now used by parkrun organizers.

Parkrun is free, but registration is required, and with a scannable barcode, participants can see their results and how they progress weekly. The parkrun website has a list of the countries with runs, so it is perfect for those travelling who want to join a group of like-minded individuals. Some communities also have a two-kilometre junior park run option for children.

November Project
Website – www.november-project.com
Facebook – novemberproject

Photography – Kim Ngo

If you find yourself in a city and want more than just a run, the November Project could be the challenge you are looking for. This “free fitness movement” is in 53 locations worldwide with over 3,000 members working out weekly. While the majority are in North America, there are groups in cities such as London, Hong Kong, and Sydney and others scattered in Eastern Europe and Asia.

The workouts depend on location, but in addition to running, exercises can include stairclimbing, hill repeats, jumping, cardio, core, and high intensity interval training (HIIT), all led by experienced leaders.

The groups all meet early weekday mornings (usually 6:30 a.m.) from one to three days a week. All abilities are welcome from the casual runner to marathoners and triathletes looking to fit in a weekly workout, no matter where they are. Locations are on the website with each group listing on social media where to meet. Just show up!

Go! Running Tours – Worldwide
Website – www.gorunningtours.com
Instagram – gorunningtours

Photography – Go! Running Tours

“Providing running experiences for runners that travel” is Go! Running Tours’ motto. With over 60 destinations worldwide and more added annually, Go! Running Tours offers travellers sightseeing runs led by local runners, who not only know the best running routes,
but who are knowledgeable about their city and what to see.

Tours include a five or 10-kilometre Ancient Athens Tour, an eight-kilometre Best Views Tour of Porto, Portugal, a 13-kilometre Architectural Tour in Tokyo, or a 10-kilometre Rio de Janeiro Copacabana Beach Sunrise Tour.

There is also a service called “Just Run” for those who are interested in the sightseeing runs but don’t want to stop as much because they are training for a race or just prefer continuous running. “Just Run” is offered in 30 cities with distances of seven, 10 or 21 kilometres.
Choices include a seven-kilometre run in Bangkok, 10-kilometre run in Buenos Aires, or a 21-kilometre run in London, all with local guides. 

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Read This Story in Our 2025 Summer Outdoor Travel Issue
IMPACT Magazine Summer Outdoor Travel Issue 2025 featuring Shanda Hill, a Canadian Ultra Triathlete who is redefining the sport. Run on some epic trails in our own backyard or join a run club. Eat your way for Mental Clarity, fueling while travelling, seasonal eating and some kitchen must haves. Become strong and fit in only 20 minutes a day, and enjoy some tasty drinks guilt free and so much more.

All have recorded impressive results from 50-kilometre to 100-mile races, many in North America, but also in Europe and beyond where they have taken on tough opposition and challenging terrain and conditions.

We talked to six of the best about their race experiences, their love of trail, what they eat and their future plans.

Geneviève Asselin-Demers

At 36-years-old Geneviève Asselin-Demers has only been running trail races for three years yet has had some prestigious wins. From Repentigny, Québec, she has won the Québec Méga Trail (QMT) 110, Ultra Trail Chic Chocs 40 (UTCC), Ultra Trail Harricana 125 (UTHC), Grand-duc 50 km and Puerto Vallarta by UTMB 100K. Her first venture into international racing was in the 2024 season, when she collected top 10 finishes including the Black Canyon Ultras100K, Madeira Island Ultra-Trail 115 and Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K (UTCT). These finishes projected her to eighth position in the 2024 World Trail Majors rankings.

Her proudest moment? “The QMT 80 with a course record because I was surrounded by my friends, my parents who had come to see me for the first time at a race were at the finish line, my race management, my food management … all the stars were aligned.”

The most memorable moment was at the final of UTCT100K in 2024. “The descent towards the finish, the landscape, my energy and the beauty of the race made me vibrate, and this feeling will be anchored in me and will serve as a lever in the more difficult moments of training or racing.”

Asselin-Demers feels at one with nature when she is on the trails. “It’s a moment with myself, reading the terrain and surpassing oneself. My body, my mind, my heart align when I set foot on the trail.”

This year she plans on running the Desert Rats 100K by UTMB in Colorado, Transvulcania in La Palma (73 km), Swiss Canyon Trail 111 km, QMT 135 and several races in Quebec. “There are so many races, adventures and trips on my bucket list.” She would also like to represent Canada at the next world championships.

Favourite trail food/snack: Naäk products suit me and allow me to cross the finish line without too many gastric difficulties. My favourite product is the apricot hydration powder.

Favourite place/trail to run: I love running on the national trail in Val St-Côme where my chalet is located, otherwise I love discovering new landscapes during my weeks of travel for competitions.

Anne Champagne

Anne Champagne hails from Lac-Beauport, Québec. The 30-year-old discovered trail running six years ago. “I fell in love with the sport and the possibilities to run super long distances and discover new places,” she says. Her background in triathlon and track—and tackling obstacle courses since she was 12—was a good pre-cursor for her to take on some gruelling ultra trail races.

Placing second at the 2024 World Trail Majors rankings is one of her proudest moments as was winning the Grand Raid des Pyrénées 168 km race. “I realized I had what it takes to achieve big scary things.”

But it is competing in her hometown that is the most memorable. “There’s nothing like a finish line feeling and the Québec Méga Trail (QMT)100 miles in 2024 was one of my most memorable trail moments. Achieving my first 100 mile, being in my hometown, seeing all those faces clapping hands and screaming got me really emotional.”

Champagne plans on continuing her 100-mile streak. Last month she competed in the Chianti Ultra Trail UTMB, which is a ‘golden ticket’ for the Western States 2025 and UTMB 2026. Then she will run QMT 135 and the Diagonale des Fous 100 miles in October in the French protectorate, Réunion Island. “I dream really big; I’m working hard to achieve my goals.” Her other bucket-list races? “There is so much! I want to explore the world with running. Western States and Hardrock 100 are my dream races.”

Favourite trail food/snack: I’ve been having some stomach issues so right now I fuel with SIS’s gels and Upika’s sports drinks, bringing on all the carbs!

Favourite place/trail to run: Going back to the trails near my hometown. I really love Parc Régional de la Forêt Ouareau. It’s where I started trail running and my passion started.

Kelsey Hogan

Kelsey Hogan’s fifth place in the 2024 World Trail Majors rankings was largely due to her second place in the Québec Mega Trail (QMT) 100 mile, a race she won in 2023 and 2022. The 29-year-old from Steady Brook, NL—who now calls Fredericton, NB home—is also a two-time finisher of the UTMB Mont Blanc 171 km race and a top 10 finisher in the Diagonale des Fous – 165 km. Closer to home she won the Rompin’ Rockwood 50 km, Saint John, NB in 2024 and was second in the Squamish 50 in 2023.

For Hogan, who started trail running in 2016, the exhilaration of the sport makes it a meditative and spiritual experience. “I am in awe of the natural world and the beautifully wild landscapes. Trail running is a place where I get to explore, to challenge myself, and to stay ever curious about the world around me.”

She will be back competing at Mont Banc again this year with a bigger goal: “putting more pieces of the puzzle together from lessons learned during my 2024 finish.” She also plans to do the QMT 80 kms Canadian Trail Championships in July, and some local races. But Hardrock 100 is the bucket list race. “I’d love to race in those mountains, and I’m intrigued by the energy and history of both Hardrock and the Western States Endurance Run.”

The overnight races are Hogan’s love: “After running all night, surrounded by darkness, I’m always tuned into the first signs of the world waking up: birds twittering, the silhouette of trees becoming defined against a glowing blue-morning sky, and the warmth and energy of a new day.”

Favourite trail food/snack: I crave anything frozen or cold during long races! Smoothies, slushies, ice cream, and popsicles are often top of my list (and tricky to get at aid stations, but my support crew is pretty crafty)!

Favourite place/trail to run: Steady Brook will always be my favourite place to run. I’m excited to run up by the waterfall to the top of Marble Mountain, make the traverse along twisty forested trails with views of the Humber Valley, or explore the trails in Gros Morne National Park.

Marianne Hogan

Marianne Hogan has overcome some adversities in her nine years of trail running, but coming second in the 2022 UTMB 176K in Chamonix with a torn psoas takes the ticket. “The last 45 kilometres had been pure agony, every step a battle. The mix of emotions was overwhelming—disbelief, relief, pride, and sheer exhaustion. It was one of those moments that defined not just a race, but everything I love about this sport: resilience, pushing beyond limits, and finding strength even when there’s nothing left.” Her podium finish was the first for a Canadian woman at UTMB for 19 years.

The 34-year-old, originally from Bedford, Québec, had to take a break from competition when the injury developed into a stress fracture. She made a comeback last year in the same race finishing third, but a fall on the course resulted her completing it with a dislocated finger! (Despite this she placed 14th in the 2024 World Trail Majors rankings).

Hogan is hoping for a less eventful 2025. She is hoping to do Canyons 100K as a golden ticket to run Western States again. (She placed third in 2022, just two months before her UTMB race). And there is that “unfinished business” she says at UTMB.

Her long-term plans would like to include exploring Norway and Argentina. “The idea of weaving a race into a longer adventure there is definitely tempting.” In the meantime, she will continue to explore her love of the outdoors. “Trail running is a way of moving through life. It’s about finding joy in the simplest things: the rhythm of my breath, the crunch of dirt underfoot, the vastness of the mountains. Whether it’s a race, an adventure, or just a quiet solo run, every step is a reminder that we don’t need much to be happy—just a good trail, a bit of curiosity, and the willingness to keep moving forward.”

Favourite trail food/snack: I love the Naäk purees (apple cinnamon), they are so yummy and easy to digest.

Favourite place to run: Any coastal trail where mountains meet the water—that’s my kind of paradise. There’s something special about running with the contrast of rugged peaks and the endless horizon of the sea, especially on a warm summer day.

Jazmine Lowther

Jazmine Lowther discovered cross-country running when she was five years old and has since been running: “Very casually throughout my life.” Always physically active and competitive this ‘casual runner,’ from Nelson, B.C. turned into an ultra-trail runner six years ago, and now at 32 years is a dominant force in the sport. Her wins include the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K and Speedgoat 50K, both in 2024, and the Canyon Endurance 100K in 2022, where she set a course record.

Her fourth-place finish in 2022 UTMB World Series Final CCC 100K is a particular highlight as is her podium-placing third at the 2023 TransGranCanaria Classic 128KM.

Is there a memorable moment? She says there are a few but one stands out. “During my first 100 miler, it was the halfway point. I really wanted to quit. I felt awful. I was sick. I didn’t have a “why” to go on. My crew, all with their wide eyes, excitement and energy rallied me on to keep going. And thanks to them I finished the full 100 miles.”

Ultra-trail running takes a lot of mental strength, which is one of the reasons Lowther likes it so much. Her background in alpine climbing and back country skiing instilled a love of the outdoors and adventure—a natural fit for trail running. “Trail running means a lot to me. Its mental health, its meaning, its exploration, its challenge, its connection. “It makes me a better human being.”

She has two major races in sight for 2025—Canyons Endurance 100K in Auburn, CA in April and the 100-mile UTMB in Chamonix, France in August. But says: “The race schedule is rolling out as it comes.” It could also include Western States, Speedgoat and the World Championships.

Favourite trail food/snack: Naak waffles on training days. They just make you smile like a kid again, always delicious.

Favourite place/trail to run: Everywhere. But if I had to pick one, Switzerland has been the most magical.

Jenny Quilty

Jenny Quilty has experienced trail running from many perspectives—as an athlete competing in some of North America’s most challenging races, and as a coach supporting and helping others reach their goals. At 36-years-old she has 15 years of trail running under her belt, 10 as an ultra runner.

From Chilliwack, B.C. she placed first, setting a course record, at the 2021 UTHC 125 in Québec, second at the Canadian Death Race the same year, won the Squamish 50 and placed second in the Chuckanut 50k (Bellingham, WA) and the Mammoth Trail Fest 50K in 2022.

Her proudest moment was running her first 100-mile race, the Doi Inthanon in Thailand in 2022, where she was the first female. The race was a real stand-out for her particularly the 20 hours of running through the jungle. “I remember running into the night with my headlamp, just looking around the jungle, hearing the sounds, and thinking it was so incredible to be there, by myself. It was so incredible to get to follow flags through this place and have the support needed to be there safely, essentially wandering through the jungle for 100 miles.”

Quilty’s win enabled her to capture a golden ticket to the 2023 Western States 100-mile race. After placing 11th at that race, she has a goal: “I would love to go back and place top 10.” In 2024 she ran the Gorge Waterfalls 100K and the Black Canyon Ultras 60K. This year she has her sights on Diez Vista 50K (Port Moody, B.C.), QMT 50, and Pine to Palm 100 mile in Southern Oregon.

She says she has learnt a lot about trail running. “It has allowed me to learn about running and endurance, and all of the different components of successfully traveling pretty far by foot. I love how training for races brings up different speeds, terrain, and challenges. Trail running is sort of like 10 different sports in one, so I find there is always a new skill to develop or build upon.”

Favourite trail food/snack: I use gels. It’s not the most exciting or glamorous but they are effective and chewing while running is just too hard!

Favourite place/trail to run: Where I live. We moved recently for access to the trails in the Chilliwack area, I truly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. 

Photography by: Gabrielle de Rossi | Connor BurkeSmith | Matt Bolam | Flash-Sport | Guy Fattal

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Read This Story in Our 2025 Running Issue
IMPACT Magazine Running Issue 2025 featuring some incredible Canadian women ultrarunners who are on the rise on the world trail stage. Run your way around the world to earn your six star Abbott World Marathon Majors commemorative medal. Train for 10 km right up to a marathon – plus a 50 km trail run and 70.3 program. Strength workouts for runners, carb load with these pasta recipes and so much more.

But behind the gold medals, the triumphs and tribulations that come with competing, there are scenes that often paint a different picture, one of non-compliance and exclusion in a discriminating world where access to sport and fitness can be challenging for special populations.

COMMUNICATION
Just as education begins in the classroom, sport and fitness—for the large part—originates in the gym, where individuals of all abilities and backgrounds should be able to train and feel welcome. Fitness facilities today are recognizing this particular demographic.

“An important element [of the organization] is to include a diverse group of people in all marketing assets to reflect all types of athletes and patrons, including gender, age, and ability,” says Brad Kahn, Manager, Fitness & Longevity, Richmond Olympic Oval. “Fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. We ensure that we are a welcoming venue for anyone seeking a safe place to participate in sport and recreation.”

It is in the area of marketing and communication that can often be the first stage in inclusion and diversity. Social media and websites, newsletters and on-site facility signage can all be effective tools to reach out to groups to make them feel inclusive.

“We aim to include diverse individuals in all our imagery. This means both people with a visible and invisible disability, a range of genders, ethnicities and cultures,” says Stacey Lund, Business Development Manager at PISE in Victoria, B.C.

“All our communication is crafted with inclusivity in mind,” says Jenna Doak, owner of Body Positive Fitness in Toronto, Ontario. “We avoid promoting one body type over another and steer clear of physical goal-driven language.”

Organizations such as Vivo for Healthier Generations and MNP Community & Sports Centre—both located in Calgary—work with partners such as the Calgary Adapted Hub, the Alberta Accessibility Network, CNIB and the Canadian Paraplegic Society to ensure messaging is consistent and relayed to members.

With Canada being a multilingual country and with new immigrants making the country their home, conversing in other languages is also an important communication factor. “From radio advertising in Punjabi to representation in the images we use in our marketing and promotional materials, we want our community to feel as though they see (and hear) themselves,” explains Dean Paddock, YMCA Calgary Vice President of Community Engagement.

Fyonna Vanderwerf, owner of Bees Knees at Hive Muskoka from Bracebridge, Ontario, is empathetic to new cultures and making them feel welcome. “Imagine stepping into a gym where nothing feels familiar—the language, the music, the people. If we don’t address language gaps, cultural differences, and representation, we risk shutting out people who want to be part of this community.” She has taken it a step further and is reviving her university German and learning Hebrew and Punjabi so she can communicate with her clients.

ACCESSIBILITY
Ensuring full accessibility to facilities can be a daunting challenge for some gyms. Access can depend on its size and location: is it shared in a large building or purpose built? Is it on a ground floor where stairs aren’t an issue or in a multi-complex building on an upper level?

Larger fitness centres often don’t have that issue, offering accessible parking and a ground floor entrance. It is the entrance ways that can and must convey that welcoming feeling. Both PISE and Vivo feature T-Coil technology—where communication can be transmitted into a hearing aid—for the hard of hearing at their guest services desks. Westside Recreation Centre in Calgary is introducing ‘Loop’ technology at their customer service desk and has a barrier-free entrance. Vivo also has different textures of flooring to signal a change of use. Braille is now a common feature on signage and gym equipment in many of the gyms.

MNP Centre has always embraced inclusivity and has large expansion plans to make other areas even more accessible. As part of their LEAP project (Leisure Expansion Aquatic Project) which is a multi-million-dollar expansion, all spaces will be unified. “Embedded in this project is a lens on inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability so as we tackle these major upgrades and new builds, we need to ensure we are addressing community needs,” explains CEO Jeff Booke. “That is done with lighting, floor surfaces, signage, purposeful program planning to meet the needs of customers we may not be supporting now. LEAP is a catalyst to ensure the new build is meeting those needs.”

Both MNP Centre and Vivo recognize that large fitness centres can be loud and bright and does not suit everyone so sensory hours and noise reduction devices are available.

“We have sensory hours Monday to Thursday from 1 – 3 p.m. to support neurodiverse clients and lights around the perimeter of the pool ceiling that change colour. These all create a calmer experience for our clients,” says Aimee Johnston, General Manager, Vivo.

Many gyms and fitness centres now have universal washrooms, accessible showers, wide hallways and spaces for wheelchairs, ramps, oversized elevators and pool lifts. “We have gender-neutral washrooms and change rooms with a fully accessible shower and adult change table and lift,” says Johnston.

Those who offer training facilities for sports clubs have also taken accessibility into consideration. At the Richmond Oval: “The North Rink was retrofitted to host para-ice hockey training and games and has accessible rink viewing platforms. We also have accessible-height water fountains and court ramps to facilitate para-sport training,” says Kahn.

FITNESS EQUIPMENT
Some standard fitness equipment seen in gyms today can be adapted for those with disabilities. Cable machines, for example, have different handles and can be adjusted for height. Krank cycles are commonly seen, and free weights offer flexibility depending on the exercise. Vivo partners with Technogym, a fitness equipment provider.

“As part of our expansion, we wanted to ensure more people were able to feel a sense of belonging within our facility. Technogym specializes in fitness equipment that is built to ensure accessible experiences for people who may be new to exercising, may not speak English as a first language, and who may require adjustments to equipment in order to properly exercise,” says Johnston.

Geoff Starling, Director and Exercise Physiologist with Every Body STRONGER in Calgary, has worked well with his gym space, housed in a rental suite in a 110-year-old building. “There is space between equipment, and our benches, boxes, and accessories—risers, lifts, wedges etc.—are sourced or custom built to facilitate bodies of all sizes. We do not carry any machines without a load limit of at least 500 lbs.”

The O2 Training Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta has a 10,000 square foot facility. “We provide a non- judgement space for the LGBTQ community to feel safe and supported in our weight room, by providing assistance on how to use equipment,” says owner, Justin Tavernini.
MNP Centre has a range of equipment from portable aquatic lifts and steel aquatic wheelchairs to multi-functional strength and cardio equipment and adjustable-height mat platforms.

The YMCA fitness areas include wheelchair-accessible Selectorize weight machines, adaptive upright bikes, arm ergometers, and total-body cardiovascular equipment. Their pools are level-access with winch equipment/chairlifts.

ADAPTED CLASSES
Fitness classes today have come a long way over the years. Aerobics and jazzercise classes are still around but advanced fitness technology has made group training accessible to a wider range of the population. Talking to fitness centres, the majority say that classes can be adapted to suit an individual’s range of motion or disability, but specialist classes are available too.

“Westside strives for everybody to feel welcome, safe, and engaged in all classes. We offer specific classes that are adaptive and inclusive i.e. Balance, Strength and Mobility, Active Stretch, Hip & Knee Yoga. Instructors adapt the class to fit the needs of all attending whether it is props to aid in balance, getting on/off the floor, or music at a lower volume so everyone can hear the instructions,” explains Jan Bloemraad, CEO, Westside Recreation Centre, Calgary.

“We have 100 group exercise classes all structured to be adapted—standing or sitting,” says Booke at MNP Centre. “We like seeing all ages and abilities competing together.”

PISE offers Adapted Strength and Conditioning two days a week, Vivo has deep water and shallow water classes in their accessible pool and Every Body STRONGER has specialty classes for queer and trans folk.

What we are seeing is the growth of the older adult classes. “We offer special programming for gentle fitness, which is open to any age and stage but often frequented by participants from older demographics,” says Paddock from the YMCA. The Richmond Oval also has an Active Aging (55+) program to meet this growing demand, and the new Eau Claire Athletic Club in Calgary encourages active participation among its 55+ members.

“As a new club, we have the unique advantage of designing our facilities with the 70+ demographic in mind,” says Alix Williams, COO, Eau Claire Athletic Club. “We are developing fitness and social programs specifically tailored to support the wellness, connection, and longevity of our 70+ members, helping them stay active and engaged in the club community.”

It is the 55+ demographic that Fitness in Canada (FIC) predicts to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the fitness industry. FIC President Sara Gilbert says she has seen the population growth on social media with most of the engagement made by females. “When we look at health care for the over 60s, 85 per cent of the decisions are made by women.”

She says a lot of this is attributed to the loss of faith in health care since Covid. “Pre-Covid there was guidance and trust from doctors, but with so many not having access to a family doctor they turned to themselves to exercise and now proactively see what their options are. We have seen a huge shift in the thinking of this generation.”

And their goals differ from a younger demographic. “It’s about functional exercise—getting out of the bath, playing ball with grandkids. Research has shown this is far more meaningful goal of exercise than physique goals.”

TRAINING
Hiring diverse staff and being an equal opportunities employer is standard in the fitness industry. Specialty certifications are available in most disciplines. “We have staff at our facility in certain departments with additional certifications that include: athletic therapy, inclusion training, mixed ability training, swim abilities training, minors in community rehabilitation, just to name a few,” says Johnston at Vivo.

Body Positive Fitness and Every Body STRONGER hire plus-size, BIPOC, LGBTQ trans and older adult trainers. The Richmond Oval welcomes applications from all groups including visible minorities, Indigenous people, and persons with disabilities. “We also recognize unique styles, perspectives, beliefs and creativity that support a diverse, respectful, inclusive and collaborative work environment,” says Kahn.

Professional bodies such as Fitness Alberta supports fitness professionals in the province ensuring they have access to evidence-informed education and certification. “Our core resource manuals include information and education about inclusion and diversity,” says Gisèle Tennant, President, Fitness Alberta. “We also offer professional development at our conferences and in webinars specifically to support leaders to be able to create more accessible, and inclusive programs in their communities.”

The organization is also active in the community. “We have worked on committees with the University of Alberta’s Steadward Centre, supporting their Adapted Physical Activity conference, and also provide education credits to leaders who attend events hosted by community partners, focused on DEI in the fitness sector. We will continue to look for ways to support diversity, increase access to and awareness about the benefits of physical activity for all going forward,” adds Tennant.

COLLABORATION AND RESOURCES
Other organizations also work collaboratively with the fitness industry to further educate, support and promote sport and recreation opportunities for special populations. OneAbility has 50 members across British Columbia—and other provinces—with a mandate: “to bring organizations together to connect and communicate around the delivery of sport and physical activity programs and services for individuals with disabilities.”

Similarly, the Calgary Adapted Hub has a goal of making sport and recreation more inclusive for children, youth, and families living with disabilities. Its four core values are Collaboration: working with partners and community members; Opportunity: empowering individuals to be more active; Community: creating safe spaces, and Research: evaluating programs.

One organization that works specifically with youth is KidStrong. With three locations in Calgary they offer programs for kids with mental health challenges, such as ADHD. “We have created a curriculum that will get kids moving and allow them “reps” at certain milestone challenges through the three domains: physical, character and cognitive,” explains Scott Wildeman, KidStrong Area Developer. “They have a chance to master the monkey bars and rope climbs (physical); social greetings and public speaking (character) and solving patterns, learning sign language and anatomy (cognitive). This carefully curated curriculum allows success which creates a feeling of pride and determination.”

Resources are also available at the municipal level. The City of Calgary has developed an Access Design Standards, a guide for the design of accessible and inclusive recreation facilities. The LEAP project at the MNP Centre is one example of the collaboration. As part of the development of the Leisure Water all basins will be equipped with ramps to provide accessibility for people with reduced mobility. “These standards ensure that people of all backgrounds and abilities feel welcome and can fully enjoy the City’s recreational offerings,” explains Heather Johnson, Director, Recreation and Social Programs. “By prioritizing accessible programs and spaces, we ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage in physical activities, connect with others and enjoy the benefits of community resources.”

FEEDBACK
With clubs and gyms embracing inclusivity and adapting best practices in DEI, community support has been very positive. “We receive positive daily feedback saying that we consistently create, meet and exceed a welcoming environment,” says Bloemraad from Westside Recreation.

“We conduct regular surveys to measure the satisfaction and experience of our members and program participants and we hear overwhelmingly that people see YMCA Calgary as a safe space and an inclusive environment that welcomes them for who they are,” adds Paddock.

Kahn concurs: “Our clients frequently express appreciation for our inclusive approach. Many have shared that they feel acknowledged and supported in our community, regardless of their background, fitness level, or identity.”
Booke from MNP has received a lot of enthusiasm from their clients. “The real message we are hearing is don’t dilute what you are doing well.”

There is always room for improvement of course. Special populations face challenges daily but with the support of the fitness industry clubs and gyms can make a difference and enhance the well-being of all. As Booke says: “There is a strong support that we serve all people and an understanding that it is the right thing to do.”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN INCLUSIVE GYM
Navigating gyms, studios and other fitness businesses can be challenging. Beyond the basics of price, location, and amenities, it is also important to check their inclusivity practices. Whether they impact you directly or not, it demonstrates an attitude to making fitness available to as many people as possible. Here are some key areas to look for in a gym.

Body Diversity: Use of diverse imagery in their marketing, social media, website and around their facility, including displaying larger bodies, age diversity, marginalised identities (queer, trans, BI POC, disabled) and other signals of allyship (flags, stickers, quotes).

Active Listening: They ask for your needs and goals instead of presuming them for you. Not everyone wants to lose weight or gain muscle, some folks just like to move! They also should be respectful of your age, cultural background, and comfort around other people and different spaces.

Unloaded Language: Use of unbiased language and avoiding terms like ‘assessment,’ ‘score/grade,’ ‘pass/fail’ or similar comparatives, and saying ‘optimized’ rather than ‘modified’ to perform baseline exercises starting with achievable versions of movements that you can build on.

Gender-Neutrality: Use of gender-neutral language including asking for and displaying pronouns, private, gender-neutral washrooms and change areas with sanitary products readily available.

Body Autonomy: If weighing or measuring any part of your body is part of their practice (ideally it isn’t) they always ask permission first and give you the option to refuse, get consent before making any physical contact, and ensure any images are approved by you before posting/publishing anywhere.

Equipment & Layout: Equipment is accessible, easy to use, capable of supporting you, has clear signage/instructions, only has mirrors where necessary for safety and any scales or measuring equipment are in private spaces.

Accessibility: There are ramps or elevators available and handrails on stairways, at least one chair-height toilet with a support rail and wheelchair access, and ideally aids for the visually and hearing impaired.

Trauma-Informed: You are treated as an individual with your own history and experiences which has shaped your relationship with physical activity, avoiding specific language, movements, body positions or biological responses that may be triggering for you.

Neurodiversity: There is a quiet recovery area with soft furniture, where sensory barriers like headphones, gloves and loose clothing are allowed, and there is minimal use of detergents and fragrances.  

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Up until then the 5000 and 10,000 metre specialist had many honours to his name including two NCAA championships, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal, and numerous national podiums. But what could have been a bleak future ahead Levins took it in stride. “I was thinking of trying the marathon distance anyway, particularly as my ankle could no longer handle the track turns. It was easier for me to do workouts on the road.”

He wasn’t unfamiliar with road running—growing up on Vancouver Island he had always interspersed track with the occasional five- or 10-kilometre race: “just for fun.” But he did have to mentally adjust his training and admits he wasn’t a natural at tempo runs, which are the backbone of marathon training. But adjust he did, kicking off his career in style by debuting in the 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon by breaking Jerome Drayton’s 43-year-record, finishing in 2:09:25. The kid from Black Creek, B.C. was on the marathon map!

Like many kids of his age in elementary school he followed the cross-country running path, although he attributes this to his older brother: “He was a good cross-country runner so I just followed him.” At the end of his second grade he competed in his first race, with the third graders, and never looked back. “My parents joke that there was never a moment when I wasn’t running since I was able to walk!”

In the seventh grade he joined the Comox Valley Cougars, one of the top track clubs in B.C. and by the time he left high school he was a top ranked runner in the province. His success took him to Southern Utah University on a scholarship where his running was elevated to a new level under coach Eric Houle. He didn’t choose that college for any particular reason—his one goal was to be a NCAA athlete.
“I chose Southern Utah because it had a good geology program which interested me at the time. I could see they had some success at the track level, it was a nice campus and felt it was the best spot,” he recalls.

I was always told that having a positive experience
with your first marathon was important, it’s that core memory of the race that you would always have.

Levins thrived under Houle moving up to the 5000 and 10,000 metre distances. (At high school the longest distance was 3000 metres). His training hit new heights— literally as he was training at high altitude—and his weekly mileage increased. The results paid off. His banner year was 2012 when he won back-to-back NCAA races awarding him the Bowerman Award, given annually to the best athlete in American collegiate track and field—he was the first Canadian to receive the honour. That year he also represented Canada in the London Summer Olympics in the 5000 and 10,000 metres, finishing 14th and 11th.

“I didn’t have any expectations in London and felt it would be good experience for the world championships and the future. It was very cool and an atmosphere I hadn’t experienced before,” he remembers.

Levins was getting noticed. In 2013 he moved to Portland and joined the Nike Oregon Project (NOP) under Alberto Salazar. Levin is reflective when he talks about his time there admitting he had a lot of ups and downs and lacked some consistency. His high-volume weeks were reduced and he started weight training.“I didn’t perform when I needed to and even though it seemed the right move at the time, ultimately it wasn’t the right fit,” he says.

At college Levins was used to training as a team but at NOP everyone was treated individually and there was no camaraderie. He cared about his training and performances but came to learn he wasn’t a priority. “My success didn’t ultimately matter to the coaching staff. What was important to me wasn’t important to the program.”

Apart from the bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Levins wasn’t performing to his potential and then the ankle injury happened. He admits having the injury forced his hand: “switching to marathons had kind of been the plan all along.”

He soon adjusted to his new training regimen including the longer workouts. “I was feeling rewarded for the effort I was putting in and the more marathon training I did the more success I could find in it.”

He has good memories of the 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. “I was always told that having a positive experience with your first marathon was important, it’s that core memory of the race that you would always have. I went in with that mindset and had a good first one. I felt I could draw on that in the future although I have struggled in others since.”

After 2018 all of Canada’s hopes were on him to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 but a disappointing race in Toronto in 2019 dashed that—temporarily. The postponement of the Olympics to 2021 gave him more opportunities and it was at his third attempt in May 2021 at a marathon in Fürstenfeld, Austria that clinched his place in a time of 2:10:14.

The Tokyo Olympics was another challenge. Held in the intense August heat in Sapporo, Japan, he suffered a crushing defeat, mentally and physically, finishing in 71st place.

Levins has an amazing ability to bounce back after disappointments. When asked how he overcomes them he says he draws on the positives and realizes tough races are going to happen. His coach, Jim Finlayson concurs. “He is impacted by them, no question. He’s a passionate man. But if a race doesn’t go the way we’d hoped, he reflects on it and looks for ways to be better the next time. He is always looking for ways to be faster, even when races go well, but the sub-par races ignite him.”

The fire came back at the World Championships in Eugene in 2022 when he set a national record and lowered his best time by three minutes to 2:07:09. But he wasn’t done. In March 2023 he became the fastest man in North America at the Toyko Marathon with a time of 2:05:36, giving him a berth to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Just as with all of his marathons, Levins had prepared well for Tokyo and this time everything went according to plan. “I was on for a 2:04 – 2:05 finish from the beginning and at 30 kilometres I continued to feel good,” he recalls. “I was focussing on a win but couldn’t quite pull it off, but was very excited to get a top five in a major.”

Finlayson has been coaching Levins since November 2019 bringing a wealth of experience. A two-time Canadian marathon champion with multiple masters age-group records, he lives in Victoria, B.C. so coaches Levins virtually, who still lives in Portland. The arrangement works well for them with Finlayson able to plan workouts and see the results on platforms such as Strava.

Levins explains he doesn’t focus on mileage volume—although it is in the region of 170 – 180 miles per week—but has a structure that works for him. He has triple runs days, totalling 4–4.5 hours, double run days which he will combine with lifting weights three times a week, and a single run day.

“We are very aerobic-based, so we’ll often have some sort of a threshold state workout, something at marathon pace, half-marathon pace, or 10-kilometre pace if the intervals are shorter,” explains Finlayson. “I have ideas of the workouts I’d like to see, and then we fill in the in-between days with easy running. He builds his own easy days by feel, based on recovery from a previous workout, upcoming sessions, and an idea of where he wants his volume (high!) The main thing is getting in the appropriate work and respecting recovery, but to remain dynamic, moving workouts by a day or two if needed or changing workouts.”

With the Paris Olympics in August Levins has a few months to prepare for the marathon. He has a half-marathon at the end of April then the build will begin. “We’ll have somewhere around 11 weeks of pretty specific marathon training, but of course before this his volume will already be good so we will be able to move right into the marathon build seamlessly post-half marathon, ”says Finlayson. The marathon course is hilly in the middle part, he explains. “We’ll be tackling this with hillier tempos and targeted workouts. In the past most of our training has been over relatively flat terrain, so this will be new for us. The early and late parts of the marathon course will be flatter, so we’ll still need to practice rhythmic running for this, but the hilly kilometres will likely be a determining factor.”

Levins is philosophical about the marathon and feels if his training goes well he will be ready to contend for a medal: “Looking to medal is now always the goal going into any championship.” At the time of going to print, two other Canadians have qualified for the Olympics: Malindi Elmore and Rory Linkletter. Asked who inspires him it is Elmore and fellow marathoner Natasha Wodak, as well as 800 metre specialist Marco Arop who is favoured to win Olympic gold.

In the meantime, Levins is clocking up the miles in Portland and although he sometimes wishes he has some training partners, he is enjoying his life there with his wife Elizabeth. Even though he has lived in the U.S. for a number of years he has never been tempted to become an American citizen. Always ready to wear the Canadian shirt at competitions, he proudly recalls setting the national half-marathon record in 2023 in Vancouver because it was on Canadian soil. “I am a Canadian through and through,” he says. 

Photography by Sean Meagher and Victah Sailer

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Read This Story in Our 2024 Running Issue
Featuring Canadian Olympic, National & North American Marathon Record holder Cameron Levins. Run your way around the world with some cool, quirky and unconventional races. Train for 10 km right up to a marathon – plus a 25 km trail run and 70.3 program. Strength workouts for runners, spice it up to improve your performance and so much more.

“I looked at the highway and thought, ‘I could do this.’ I was trained and fit enough, and I didn’t want to go through another lockdown. I could just take my bike and go,” Carriere says. Sharing the idea with fellow triathlete Dr. Timm Döbert, they felt a journey as mammoth as cycling 30,000 kilometres should have a purpose, and so the Wings of Survival idea was born.

Carriere and the German-born Döbert—an ecologist, explorer and avid wildlife photographer—will cycle, raft and trek along the Pacific Americas through 15 countries, following the migratory bird flyway, to raise awareness of the biodiversity crisis with the hope of empowering people to re-connect with nature.

We will need to cover 150 kilometres a day, which is eight to 10 hours of physical activity.

As they will be following specific migratory birds—some of which will be tagged with small GPS devices—they need to complete the journey in nine months.

“We will need to cover 150 kilometres a day, which is eight to 10 hours of physical activity,” says Carriere. That goal is not for the faint-hearted, but both have strong fitness backgrounds.

Carriere is an accomplished athlete, having competed for eight years as a pole vaulter and then a decathlete before switching gears to endurance events. In 2022 she ran the Mount Everest Marathon, competed in the Penticton Ironman, and with Döbert, took part
in the gruelling 2022 Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon.

Döbert is now based in Colombia and was a soccer player and a successful rower before he took up triathlons and Ironman events. A passionate environmentalist, he doesn’t own a car, preferring to commute by bicycle.

How does one prep for a 30,000-kilometre journey through 12 different biomes? The biggest challenge, says Carriere, is to stay healthy. “The biggest thing is not to overtrain the muscles as we will gain fitness on the bike during the trip. We need to build our Vo2 aerobic base and get really strong.”

But she admits it’s mental strength that’s most important. “I purposely put myself in an exhausted state from a workout then go and cycle on the bike trainer or do some high reps, so I get into a hurting place where I mentally have to work through that and then come back the next day.”

Nutrition is also an important consideration. The pair are working with sport scientists at the University of Alberta and sports physiologists at the University of Calgary who are monitoring their training through testing their Vo2, heart rate and stressors. “This involves the body and mind, but nutrition is that third piece that connects it together,” says Carriere. “If you aren’t getting enough sugar or carbohydrates when biking, there is a risk of bonking, but as athletes, we can also start to get negative thoughts and get down on ourselves. So, we need to address this before it happens.”

Carriere and Döbert are both vegan, which adds another component to the mix. They have been reaching out to Canadian companies for donations of care packages and food so they can be properly fuelled.

While they can do a lot of preparation ahead of time, there are always unknowns with an expedition of this magnitude. The weather and climate changes could be the anomaly. While they will have a support vehicle to provide an element of safety and to store equipment—they may need several types of bike tires depending on the terrain—they will have to endure the elements of nature themselves.

“The tropics will be a challenge with the combination of heat and humidity,” Döbert says. “We will be climbing the Andes into the wetlands where certain birds go. Even though it will be a high altitude, we don’t expect it will be too cold.”

Their actual route isn’t finalized yet but using the Pan-American Highway as a reference, they will travel as west as possible following the flyway. “We will have a combination of road, trail and gravel, many in remote regions,” adds Döbert.

They are also planning community events along the way to raise awareness about their expedition. “There is a lot of negativity in the world, and at the community events we are showcasing a great initiative and project to those that don’t usually have that outreach. It is also empowering getting people engaged in citizen science in the bird space and showing how people can contribute. We want the journey to have a very positive vibe,” says Döbert.

As a milestone event preceding their 2025 Wings of Survival expedition, Timm and Leanna will cycle coast to coast across Canada, 7,000km from Halifax to Vancouver in 30 days, starting 1 July in Nova Scotia. Along the journey, they will feature 30 of Canada’s protected and key biodiversity areas. Canada has committed to protect 30% of its land and water by 2030, aligned with the United Nations 30×30 biodiversity target. The duo has partnered with Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and organizations at the interface of sports for nature to mainstream 30×30 to the public using creative storytelling.

The United Nations increasingly emphasize the role of sport (and its unparalleled platform) for advancing planetary and human health. To this end, Timm and Leanna will tell the stories of Canada’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife through the lens of an athletic challenge.

Their journey can be followed on www.wingsofsurvival.com and on Instagram @wingsofsurvival.

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Read This Story in Our 2024 Inspiration Issue
Read about our 2024 Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers – our top 30 from across Canada! How to Hire a Personal Trainer, The Dangers of Overtraining, Return to Running After Illness, Easy Vegan Garlic Noodles and more!

Frank Tuot leads Team Argo on Vancouver Island in an attempt to link up two tunnels to make one, and Katie Graham—an accountant by day, and an obsessed caver any other time—dives fearlessly into deep waterous caverns for Team Baso in Fernie.

The filming is exceptional, and you do get a sense of being in the caves with the teams as they experience highs and lows. Discovering the ‘wedding cake’ was a high for the Argo team and the moment Katie fell day three into their journey was a definite ‘oh my God’ moment. (You will have to watch to see what happens next!)

You can call the cavers brave, gritty or just plain nuts but amateur cavers, and anyone who enjoys exploration and has a sense of adventure will enjoy the movie.

Subterranean screened at the Banff Mountain Film Festival on November 4 and had a broadcast premiere on Knowledge Network on November 7. Stream for free online on www.knowledge.ca/subterranean across Canada. 

More information: www.knowledge.ca/subterranean or  https://www.subterraneanfilm.com/

Read This Story in Our 2023 Fall Fitness & Food Issue
Featuring this year’s winners of the Amazing Race Canada, Ty Smith and Kat Kastner on our cover. Inside our latest issue, you’ll find all the inspiration you need to carry you through the autumn season. From delicious high-protein recipes and how to resist the crunch of potato chips to running through the high peaks of the Colorado Rockies and the latest in nutrition and fitness, these pages are packed with expert knowledge and advice.

It was Season 9 of The Amazing Race Canada and the challenge was the OCAD pole climb in Toronto. “My physical side was going and that is when the mental side started creeping in and honestly, I was ready to be done,“ he says. “I was ready to accept the fact that I had ruined it for us, but it was more for me personally, as it was quite the test as I had to dig in and find that inner strength, but a lot of that strength also came from my partner on the ground.”

That partner is Kat Kastner, Smith’s girlfriend and teammate, and together they took on the epic cross-Canada challenge in Season 9, which ended last month. The Calgary couple— both 25-years-old—but more mature beyond their age, decided to apply for the contest: “to challenge our relationship.”

“It gave us opportunities that we wouldn’t have
learned from in everyday life. We can hold that very
close and offer that up to family and friends and say
to them that they matter and their stories matter.”

They met on social media five years ago and immediately became soulmates. “We both were athletes and the time seemed right for us, so we sent in a video application and went through the process,“ Kastner explains. “We didn’t know what it was going to be like or what the challenges were going to be—we just embraced it all.”

Not knowing what to expect they couldn’t really do any prep: “We learnt how to tie some knots and brushed up on our French,” Kastner fondly remembers. And they watched re-runs of the shows but from a different perspective— from a competitive standpoint.
They didn’t want to overprepare and they really didn’t have a strategy. “We wanted to stay true to ourselves, have a lot of fun and enjoy every moment as best we could,” says Smith. “We wanted to show the love and support and foundation we have as a couple.”

Their camaraderie and support for each other was evident in every challenge. They knew when to push each other, when to lean on each other and whose turn it was to take on a challenge. “Like the bungee jump in Whistler, Kat knew and understood when this needed to happen and that she needed to do it.” This trust and faith in each other grew as the season progressed, as did their strength knowing that: “16 angels were looking down on us.”

On April 6, 2018, Smith was with his Humboldt Broncos teammates in that ill-fated bus crash that killed 16 players and injured 13. He was one of the lucky ones, coming away with a broken collarbone and shoulder blade and some nerve damage, and while the physical scars have gone, the mental ones remain. So much so that he is now a strong advocate for mental health and dedicated The Amazing Race Canada to his teammates.

Originally from Leduc, Alberta, he played 10 games for the Broncos after the crash and regularly keeps in touch with all 29 families affected by the tragic accident. “Knowing they were laughing and crying with us throughout the contest made us speechless and created a lot of emotion. We were racing not just for us but for those supporting us. We are connected for life. That bond will never break.” That bond is always with them as the couple wore Broncos wristbands and hats throughout the episodes.

Kastner also has had mental health challenges. A promising ringette athlete growing up, she suffered from depression and anxiety as a young adult and at university. At 19 she was able to get therapy and medication. Looking back, she says that her anxiety stopped her from doing anything physical, but being in the series changed all that. “In the race I didn’t have that option. It was eye opening and empowering for me to be able to accomplish the challenges.”

While many challenges were extremely hard, there were also some fun moments. “I loved the tree dancing in Tofino and would do that again,” says Kastner. And there were some uncontrollable times. “The traffic in downtown Toronto on the way to Sunnyside Beach was something we couldn’t control and prepare for,” adds Smith

They agree the most stressful challenge they faced was the last one—the crossword puzzle. Knowing from watching previous seasons that the last challenge would be about testing their knowledge and memory of what they had done over the episodes, they knew this challenge was crucial, particularly as they were in first place. “You get to the puzzle and it is hard for your mind not to go blank,” says Smith. “We knew we were in the spotlight and this would be the last challenge, and so we had to tune out and just focus, go from leg to leg and think about everything. Looking back, it was probably one of the most stressful things we have been a part of.”

Smith and Kastner became quite close to the other couples competing, in particular their fellow finalists—Tyler Turner and Kayleen Vandervee and Ben Chutta and Anwar Ahmed. Over the weeks they shared touching, moving stories that will always resonate with them. “Everyone in the cast had an inspiring story and we have a special connection with them which will stay with us forever,” said Kastner. Smith agrees. “We were fortunate to race against them, they all have powerful stories, and we learned a lot from them.”

They also enjoyed meeting host Jon Montgomery. The Olympian has been hosting The Amazing Race Canada for 10 years.
“He is such a unique individual—I would love him to narrate my life,” said Smith, smiling.

Montgomery has nothing but praise for the winners. “Ty and Kat are brilliant ambassadors for the show, their families,
and the communities they represent. They were a lot of fun to watch this summer and the way they supported each other, dug deep, and had some fun while they were doing it all, is commendable.“

“Watching the racers approach and then push past their fears and boundaries that we all have is inspiring,” adds Montgomery.

With the airing of the last episode also came the big secret reveal—who won? How did Smith and Kastner manage to keep the secret from their families and friends? “It was really hard but we felt we had a power over them by keeping the secret.”

Looking back at the series, its challenges and its highs and lows they both agree the experience hasn’t really changed them, although Smith did voluntarily bring up the million-dollar question everyone is asking—when are you putting a ring on her finger? “It will happen,” he says noncommittally. But they reflect on their journey and how much they have learned about themselves. “It shows how much you can empower your partner and it gave us opportunities that we wouldn’t have learned from in everyday life. We can hold that very close and offer that up to family and friends and say to them that they matter and their stories matter.”

With becoming the latest winners of The Amazing Race Canada comes an around-the-world trip, $250,000 cash and two 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2s. “The win hasn’t quite sunk in yet but when I am behind the wheel of my new Chevy it will,” Smith quips. Their first trip though is to Portugal, Greece and Italy, a prize they won by winning one of the legs. They look forward to furthering their adventures and particularly want to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Once everything is settled, they do want to continue to be mental health advocates—Smith is already an accomplished public speaker—using their experience from The Amazing Race Canada to share their story.

Any tips for future contestants interested in applying for The Amazing Race Canada?

“Choose a good partner and never leave your backpack in a car!” says Kastner. (In the final episode they left their backpacks in their taxi not realizing they needed ID for the next challenge).

“Face it head-on, throw yourself into the experience, get as much enjoyment as you can. There are so many things you will never do in your life that this race offers. It’s a unique journey bringing lifelong memories,” adds Smith.

He knows contestants face their own challenges going into The Amazing Race Canada. His advice? Take one step at a time.

“In life it is so easy to diminish your own story and to look so far ahead and forget the present. The race meant we were present at all times. You need to know you are not alone and will find ways to light your candle, even though it may flicker sometimes. Use your story to offer that light at the end of other’s people’s tunnels.” 

Season 9 of The Amazing Race Canada is available to stream on CTV.ca, the CTV app, and on Crave. CTV has announced that The Amazing Race Canada will be returning for a 10th season with casting details to be announced soon.

Cover Photography by Graham McKerrell
Additional images courtesy CTV

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Read This Story in Our 2023 Fall Fitness & Food Issue
Featuring this year’s winners of the Amazing Race Canada, Ty Smith and Kat Kastner on our cover. Inside our latest issue, you’ll find all the inspiration you need to carry you through the autumn season. From delicious high-protein recipes and how to resist the crunch of potato chips to running through the high peaks of the Colorado Rockies and the latest in nutrition and fitness, these pages are packed with expert knowledge and advice.

Looking a lot younger than his 26 years, the Calgary-born Linkletter calls Flagstaff, Arizona his home, and although he became a U.S. citizen in 2020, his loyalty and running for Canada is something he is very proud of. “I have competed for Canada since the World Juniors in 2015, and it is something that I will continue to do,” he says.

With a goal of competing in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he is training for the London Marathon on April 23 and if that goes well, possibly Chicago in October. But he is very practical and level-headed, taking one race at a time, knowing that anything can happen in training or in a race. He also likes to leave the training to his coach, former U.S. long distance champion, Ryan Hall. But he admits he would like to “take a bite” out of his marathon 2:10 PB he set at the World Athletics Championships last year in Eugene, OR. “Flirting with a 2:09 goal would be awesome, but I will let the training and Ryan dictate my goal.”

Linkletter is firmly committed to the marathon distance, but with his physique he could equally concentrate and succeed at middle distance. He excels at speed workouts which could be attributed to his early years competing in cross-country and track. He didn’t start running until Grade 9. “I was really a ball-sport athlete and was undersized going into high school.” But he joined his school’s cross-country team and immediately liked it. “I started low in the rankings and then saw myself progressing up the ladder. There is gratification in seeing your times and your rank improve among your peers.”

School was in Utah where he and his mother moved to from Calgary after his parents divorced. With the state being known as a classic running hub, it took Linkletter a while to get on to the varsity team, which he eventually did for cross-country and track. 

It was then that he knew he wanted to pursue running seriously and made the decision to attend Brigham Young University (BYU). Admitting it was a “rational decision based on my goals to continue to run,” he found success in college, coming second in the 10,000 metres at the NCAA track and field championships— “the highlight of my collegiate career”— and becoming the 3x all-American in track and cross-country. “I had higher finishes in track so the 5,000 and 10,000 metre events were definitely my calling.” 

The leap—which essentially it was—to the marathon was necessitated by his desire to make the 2020 Olympic team. “I graduated in 2019 and at that time the Olympics were set for 2020, and I had a better chance of making the team running the marathon than another discipline.” Such was his confidence, he plunged straight into marathon training and debuted at the 2019 Toronto Waterfront Marathon with a credible 2:16:42 performance.

A move to Flagstaff to work with HOKA Northern Arizona (NAZ) Elite followed and the opportunity to run some half-marathons, which he admits he had more success with. But in 2021 he experienced some challenges and seemed to lose his way. The death of his father that year hit him hard but was softened by the birth of his first child, Jason (he met Jill at BYU and married in 2018). He had some bad results and felt “something was off.” 

“I felt I had to leave (HOKA NAZ Elite) to be able to reach the next level I wanted,” he reflects. To walk away from a comfortable sponsor was a brave move for Linkletter. He knew that and looking back, is proud of his decision. “I was comfortable there but felt something was wrong and I had to change.”

In late 2021 Ryan Hall came into his life. Hall, the U.S. half-marathon record holder, retired in 2016 to coach. “Ryan was a perfect fit for me. I admired him and approached him to coach me. He is smart and a motivational figure in my life.” 

Hall knew that Linkletter was in great shape. “I was grateful for all the great coaching he received before he came to me as it all laid the foundation for the next step that Rory was ready to make,” he says. But there were skills he wanted to work with him on from the outset. “I wanted him to have a healthy body so I re-enforced to him the necessity of eating enough food to be at a healthy body weight, and making sure he nailed his sleep. I also initially reduced his volume as he had been running high mileage for a fairly long time, and I wanted him to focus on his 5 km/10 km development at a lower volume before bringing it back up for marathon training.”

The unsponsored Linkletter said he ran the best races of his life in early 2022, including setting the then Canadian half-marathon record in Houston (1:01:08), a record that had stood for 23 years. Sponsors were noticing and he signed with PUMA shortly afterwards. He realizes he is lucky. “Not many get to have a second chance. I am excited to have PUMA take me to the Olympics and beyond.” 

With the World Athletics Championships taking place in July 2022, it was time to put the new coach/athlete partnership to the real test. Linkletter had a good track season leading up to the event. “We hit the 5 km work hard all winter and spring, which set up a nice, short and surprise build for the marathon,” explains Hall. “We worked hard in the gym to increase the power in his legs for not only the shorter distances, but for the marathon as well. I believe one of the reasons marathoners slow down over time is because they lose a lot of power in their legs from years and years of high volume.”

Linkletter didn’t go into the championships with a goal in mind. “It is hard to set a goal in a World Championship. Unlike a major marathon where you know other people’s paces, at the Worlds it is a wait-and-see. You find out on the day who is in good shape.” Linkletter was on form setting a personal best and enjoying every minute: “It was fun and exhilarating and I just went with the flow.”

With a focus on London next month—he will also be running the New York City Half-Marathon on March 19—Hall is working on his speed. “I need him to keep and increase his 5 km speed.  If he has that in place and continues to develop his aerobic capacity, then good things will happen.” Recovery is a strength of his.  “He typically responds to high volume and a heavy training load very well. He is as diligent with his recovery—sleep, nutrition, massage, etc.—as he is with his training.  It doesn’t matter how we train if we aren’t able to recover and absorb that training.”

Linkletter’s typical week consists of two runs a day, some days incorporating sprints or track work; a long run and two strength/cross-training sessions a week. Five weeks of hard training will be followed by a down week that may include a race. It’s gruelling and tough but Linkletter enjoys it. Hall says he is a workhorse: “he has the ability to ‘bring it’ to the workout.”

His favourite workout Hall calls ‘K’s for Days.’ These are 20 x 1 km repeats with a 200-metre jog recovery between, each at a little faster than marathon pace. “Kilometre repeats are the staple of any training. For me it is easy, I focus on running for three minutes and get through them one at a time,” say Linkletter.

Not surprisingly Linkletter doesn’t have to worry about what he eats. He admits he is constantly eating, never counts calories and isn’t on any nutrition plan. “I don’t have any rules, I eat until I am full!” His indulgence—or some would say quirk—is to eat breakfast at odd times of the day. “I will have lunch or dinner then follow up with waffles and syrup or cereal.”

The 2024 Olympics may be 17 months away but the qualifying window opened in January and ideally Linkletter wants to nail his place early, in London. But he is very pragmatic about it. With the selection based on ranking and time he knows he will have competition. “I am trying not to get caught up in it. I may run the best marathon of my life but if three others run faster then so be it.”

Then there is that little rivalry between him and Ben Flanagan who broke his half-marathon record in October 2022 by just eight seconds. (The record has since been broken again by Cam Levins in February in a time of 60:18). “I see it as a carrot to chase down the road,” he says.

Having gone through a few hurdles in his life, Linkletter is now settled and content with his life. Being Christian is the forefront of who he is, he says. He is running well, has a supportive coach and a happy home life with a second child expected this year. “I get up every day and love my training and I get to come home to be with my family. I live in this beautiful place surrounded by people I love. It is perfect.” 

Training week

Twelve weeks out from the London Marathon Linkletter started his marathon training block – here is a typical week. 
Monday: a.m. – 10 miles; p.m. – 6 miles 
Tuesday: a.m. – 5 x 2 miles @ half-marathon effort; p.m. – strength and cross-training (included squats, lunges with dumbbells, hip thrusters, stairs, stepper)
Wednesday: a.m. – 10 miles; p.m. – 6 miles
Thursday: a.m. – 10 miles; p.m. – 6 miles
Friday: a.m. – long run, 36 km (22 miles) @ 3:30/km pace; p.m. – strength and weights (similar to Tuesday)
Saturday: a.m. – 8 miles easy; p.m. – 5 miles easy
Sunday: a.m. – track, 8 x 800 metre @ 5km / 10km effort with 400 metre jog recovery/some fast
200 metres /cool down; p.m. – 5 miles

Personal BESTS

3000 Metres (indoors) 7:49.13…..Louisville, KY – 2022
5000 Metres 13:29.67…..San Juan Capistrano, CA – 2022
10,000 Metres 28:12.42…..Palo Alto, CA – 2019
10 Kilometres 28:43……Charleston, SC – 2022
15 Kilometres 44:41…..Jacksonville, FL – 2021
Half Marathon 1:01:08…..Houston, TX – 2022
Marathon 2:10:24…..World Athletic Championships, Eugene, OR – 2022

Photography by Mike Van Mierlo

Read This Story in Our 2023 Running Issue
Featuring Rory Linkletter, Canadian long-distance runner. Add to your bucket list with the top Destination Marathons Around the World. Train for 10 km right up to a marathon – plus a 70.3 program. Increase your strength and work your core with Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers. Enjoy plant-based, post-run breakfasts and so much more.