Canadian Running

keeping the dream alive

Working at my dining room table through the pandemic, it’s strange to recall watching Moh Ahmed’s courageous surge to a bronze medal in the 5,000m in Doha in September 2019. Working in the office that day, none of us had any idea that his performance, along with Lyndsay Tessier’s top-10 finish in the marathon and Evan Dunfee’s bronze medal in the 50K race walk a few days later, would be some of the last ones by Canadian track athletes we would see for a long time. Paul Gains has covered many of Ahmed’s performances and forged a relationship of trust with the athlete over the years. His profile (p.36) reveals a young man poised for even greater achievement on the world stage, and for whom the Olympics postponement is just an…

volume 13, issue 5

Managing EditorAnne Francisanne@runningmagazine.ca Senior EditorsAlex Hutchinson, Kevin Mackinnon Contributing Editor Christopher Kelsall Staff WritersMadeleine Kelly, Ben Snider-McGrath Photo Editor Matt Stetson matt.stetson@gripped.com Copy EditorAmy Stupavsky Art Director Warren Wheeler (Roseander Main) layout@runningmagazine.ca Production Artist Warren Hardy Web Development Sean Rasmussen Digital OperationsDmitry Beniaminov Publisher Sam Cohen sam@gripped.com Editorial Director David Smart dave@gripped.com Advertising & Sales Andre Cheuk andre@gripped.com Account Managers Joel Vosburg joel@gripped.com Lorena Jones lorena@gripped.com Circulation ManagerRobyn Milburn robyn@gripped.com Social Media Nikita van Dijk nikita@gripped.com SUBSCRIBE Send $22.95 (1 year) or $39.95 (2 years) to Canadian Running magazine, PO Box 819 Station Main, Markham, ON, Canada L3P 8L3 or call: 1.800.567.0444 SUBMIT Manuscripts, photographs and other correspondence are welcome. Please contact Canadian Running magazine for contributors’ guidelines, or see them on the web at runningmagazine.ca. Unsolicited material should be accompanied by return mailing address and postage. Canadian Running Magazine Tel. 416.927.0774, Fax. 416.927.1491, runningmagazine.ca Gripped Publishing Inc. 75 Harbord St.…

what’s new

Smoothies Activewear smoothiestanktops.com SIGNATURE TANK TOP $50 FREEDOM LEGGING $120 ACTIVE SKORT $70 (not shown) FREEDOM CAPRI $73 (not shown) Kiki Rozema of Grande Prairie, Alta. was tired of activewear and running brands that only fit a certain body type. She set out to create confidence-boosting tank tops that fit securely and don’t ride up for active women of all sizes. Launched in 2019, Smoothies tanks are cut high in front and long at the bottom. Designed to feel like a hug, they’re smooth on the outside and brushed on the inside. Made from 86 per cent polyester and 14 per cent spandex (not cotton, which holds moisture), the tanks are available in traditional and racerback styles in eight vibrant colours, in sizes XS to 3XL. Later, Rozema added leggings with superior fit, comfort and functionality. Smoothies…

marissa papaconstantinou

Marissa Papaconstantinou, a student in the sport media program at Ryerson University, was born missing her right foot. She competed in the 100m and 200m at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. 1 How did you discover running? Ever since I was a little kid, I loved being active, and I specifically loved running. I wasn’t able to get a running blade until Grade 7, and that’s when I joined a local track club. I wanted to join earlier, but the equipment wasn’t available until I was older. I started track and field when I was 12. Technology has changed a lot in parasport. There are so many options now. When I was younger, I had to hit a certain weight to be able to have a blade. The physical blades have improved as well,…

the warmup

Mike Wardian runs 63 laps for 422K to win the Quarantine Backyard Ultra The Quarantine Backyard Ultra started on, April 4, and over 2,400 runners from more than 50 countries joined the virtual race. Runners ran 6.706K every hour for as long as they could, and over 60 hours later, only two runners remained: American Mike Wardian and Radek Brunner of the Czech Republic. Brunner missed the start of the 63rd lap and was therefore disqualified, making Wardian the winner after 422K. After 46 hours, only Wardian and Brunner remained, and they ran for almost 20 more laps. The winner of multiple U.S. national titles at ultra distances, Wardian is well known in the running community. He has run the Western States 100 and the UTMB multiple times, and he finished 11th…

shoe-in

Saucony didn’t produce just one standout spring marathon shoe–it has brought out a three-shoe suite designed to fill all runners’ needs with a shoe for long runs and recovery days; a fast, light tempo shoe; and a carbon-plated race-day model for the marathon. Saucony Endorphin Shift $180 Men’s size 9: 286 g (10.1 oz.) Drop: 4 mm Category: Neutral Available: July 1, 2020 The Shift is ideal for making your long runs and easy recovery runs smooth and comfortable. The neutral-cushioned shoe has a gussetted tongue and wrap-around TPU heel counter to keep both forefoot and heel secure. The PWRRUN midsole (a blend of EVA and polyurethane foam) gives you a plush ride through your most gruelling long run, along with a little more durability than the more performance-oriented models offer. Saucony’s Speedroll Geometry (which refers to…