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Staying Fit & Staying Warm: It’s Winter, Baby!

by Jaclyn Panylyk

So, it’s winter in Alberta. We know, blah! It comes every year and it’s not as fun as summer. BUT, there’s good news. If you get the right outdoor apparel and find the right people, you can have a good time and also get some exercise and fresh air! And when you wanna be a badass runner, you gotta train through the winter.

Here are 8 tips we’ve learned so far to make running easier outside in the winter (also BONUS – get a discount on your Edmonton Marathon entry – you’ll find the promo codes at the end of this blog) : Continue reading “Staying Fit & Staying Warm: It’s Winter, Baby!”

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Girl Guides Join the Secret 3K Run

It was a unique scene on November 19 at the Eau Claire Running Room in Calgary. Instead of the usual crowd of adult runners, the store was packed with Girl Guides. The energy was palpable as marathon running legend Martin Parnell and award-winning filmmaker Kate McKenzie announced that Girl Guides of Canada will be the new charity partner for The Secret 3K annual run/walk. The run takes place during the week of International Women’s Day and celebrates gender equality as well as creating safe spaces to be active. This year’s event will take place on March 4, 2020.  Continue reading “Girl Guides Join the Secret 3K Run”

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20 Minute Challenge

by Trish Slipp

On July 10th, runners and walkers across Canada and the United States helped celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Running Room with the 20 Minute Challenge. This event dates back to 2004, when John Stanton invited everyone to mark the company’s 20th anniversary by visiting a Running Room location and getting active for just 20 minutes.

John says that when he created the Running Room, his vision was that “no one would ever have to run alone.” His vision has definitely become a reality, as 245 participants joined John and his family at Edmonton’s 109 Street location, and over 11,000 runners and walkers participated across Canada and the United States. All participants received a free cap and for this special anniversary, dressed up in their best 80s gear to pay tribute to 1984, the inaugural year of the Running Room. Continue reading “20 Minute Challenge”

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Race Giving

Race: Heritage Law Offices presents Big Gifts for Little Lives 5K Walk/Run
Charity: Big Gifts for Little Lives
Funds raised to date: $105,000

by Lindsey Kemp

Big Gifts for Little Lives was founded in 2017 by Lindsey Kemp after she found out her five-month-old son, George, was in heart failure and was going to need a heart transplant. While her son was waiting for a heart, Lindsey organized a 5K Walk/Run and silent auction where, because of generous sponsorship, 100% of the donations went towards Pediatric Heart Transplant Research at the Stollery to hopefully one day find a cure. Many people do not realize that any type of transplant is not a cure. Pediatric hearts only last about 15 to 20 years. And because this is such a niche area in medicine, funding for research is imperative. Continue reading “Race Giving”

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Instructor Profile/Ian Hunter–Slater Street, Ottawa, ON

by Justin Wall

As the Slater Street Running Room’s incumbent Ottawa Marathon training program co-instructor, Ian consistently displays the qualities we all look for in a mentor. His years of running experience—many of which were spent right here in our store—make him an invaluable wealth of information for even the most seasoned athletes. With his kind heart and genuine compassion for others, our Run Clubbers see him as a mentor, even when he’s not formally coaching. Continue reading “Instructor Profile/Ian Hunter–Slater Street, Ottawa, ON”

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Here’s to Strong Women!

Love, you.

The 2019 SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Run for Women program raised $2.5 million for 17 women’s mental health initiatives across Canada. These programs have helped thousands of women manage the challenges that come with mental health illnesses such as depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and post-partum depression. It takes a lot of heart to care for your mind. Thank you to the over 26,000 who participated, who donated, and who came out to cheer on the all the runners and walkers. We would also like thank our Run for Women sponsor Shoppers Drug Mart® for donating $10 per registrant and raising the majority of funds through events in your stores. We hope that more Canadians will use exercise as a great way to manage mental health. We look forward to seeing you all again next year! Continue reading “Here’s to Strong Women!”

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Tamarack Ottawa Marathon

by Phil Marsh

The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend continued its status as a double IAAF Gold Label event, along with both the marathon and 10K events serving as the Canadian Championships. Over 32,000 participants from around the world ran, walked and rolled to the finish line in events including 2K, 5K, 10K, 21.1K and the sold-out 42.2K.

It was the final race as Race Director for John Halvorsen, who is leaving Run Ottawa to return to the high-tech world. A former two-time Olympic finalist in the 10,000 metre event, John was honoured at the President’s Reception for his work to build this weekend into a world-class race. John will soon be inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder and an Athlete, both richly deserved honours. Continue reading “Tamarack Ottawa Marathon”

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2019 Nutrience Oakville Half Marathon

On the shores of Lake Ontario, the sun rises on a calm, brisk fall morning. A certain energy falls over the streets of Oakville, where runners and walkers take their place in the Start Line chute. They are waiting to put their summer training to the test at the 13th annual Nutrience Oakville Half Marathon on October 5-6, 2019. The horn goes off and participants set off on their 21.1K journey through the streets of beautiful Oakville. 

This fall must-run event will take participants through the most scenic areas of Oakville, with a brand-new route that begins and ends at Shell Park. The new route presents runners with the opportunity for new personal bests, with sights including Coronation Park, the Lake Ontario waterfront and Bronte Harbour. When surveyed, 90% of participants said they will run the event again, and we look forward to welcoming them back this year. Continue reading “2019 Nutrience Oakville Half Marathon”

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GTA Women Runs Oakville Half Marathon Blindfolded

My name is Stephanie Thompson and I run to raise awareness for mental health.

My friend Sam Chefero and I are from Aurora, ON. Together we recently conquered the Oakville Half Marathon with an added challenge: I was running blindfolded tethered to my running guide, Sam. I was running in the complete dark for the entire 21K race. For me, this blindfolded experience symbolized what it can feel like struggling with mental health; alone, consumed by your thoughts and surrounded by darkness. Continue reading “GTA Women Runs Oakville Half Marathon Blindfolded”

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Learning From Lucas

Humility is hard to find. When you encounter someone who has it, it is like a breath of fresh air. Lucas McAneney is such a person. I met Lucas a few years ago, as a customer of the Running Room store he managed. We chatted and compared notes about races we had in common. Imagine my surprise when I later found out that this friendly store manager was actually an elite runner who has won the Mississauga Marathon, won the Oakville Half Marathon, won the Ottawa Marathon, placed fourth at the Buffalo Marathon, competed in the Pan Am Games, and many other elite running credentials. Continue reading “Learning From Lucas”