1.  What inspired you to start running?

I’ve had a long history of starting and stopping running throughout my adult life. What inspired me to keep running was the annual CIBC Run for the Cure. Each spring I’d start walking. Then build up to running by late summer, aiming for a 30 minute 5k. Repeat every year, until 2024 when I started going to Parkrun.

2.  What lead you to join a Run group and what are you most proud of?

I used to run solo around my neighbourhood. One night a fellow runner stopped me to let me know that I was out looking like a running ninja, because I was wearing dark clothing at night, and no one can see me. After a quick chat, he told me about Whitby Parkrun held every Saturday mornings at 9AM. I thought that was crazy, why wake up early and drive 20 minutes to run with strangers when I could just run around my neighbourhood?

Well, fast forward about ten months to August 2024. I was more consistent with my running and felt ready to hit my sub 30 minutes 5k goal if I too my training just a little more seriously. I remembered about Parkrun and figured, why not? I went. I ran under 30 minutes. I felt great, and was amazed by the range of people who went and thought I should keep going. Now I start nearly every Saturday morning at Whitby Parkrun!

Through the Parkrun community and the RunDurham page, I learned about other run clubs, and have since run with most of the Durham running community. I’ve been a regular member with the Ajax Wannabees, R.I.O.T, Whitby Running Room, OC Lululemon Run Club, and Town Runners at Town Brewery.

I would say I am most proud of being part of a running community that likes to give back.

On the selfish side, I am most proud of my progress as a runner. I went from limping around after a 5k charity run, to finishing the 2025 Toronto Waterfront Marathon in under four hours and afterwards walking around feeling fine.

3.  Anything unique about your running journey?

I’m not sure how unique my journey has been. Like many in the community, I started with a group, joined multiple groups, signed up for more and more races and community runs, until you have a big pile of race bibs and medals hanging around your place. I went from spending a couple of months to build up to a 5k to spending a couple of month to build up to a 50k trail race.

4.  What advice would you give those beginner and intermediate level runners?

Be patient. Start slow and develop consistency. So many people start out too fast, do too much, get injured, and never return. Joining Parkrun and other clubs is a great way to build consistency. Having something in your calendar and people you look forward to seeing is sometimes all you need to keep going. And don’t forget to have fun!

5.  What’s your favourite route that you have run a) in Durham and b) anywhere in the world

I love running the Waterfront trail. I grew up living very close to the trail and I always like coming back to it. Don’t surprise if you spot me running along it from Oshawa to Ajax.