31 CLAUDIA TABOADA 48, Beaconsfield » My oldest son, Nicolas, is on the autism
27 HAROLD FUDGE 40, Ottawa » I started running in early 2015 to get fit, enjoy something that got me outside year-round, and to develop a hobby that challenged me to do better. Running has given me a sense of place, purpose, and happiness. I’ve joined clubs, made friends, and run in races that only a short time ago seemed like a thing other people did.
spectrum and he is my main motivation for training and running marathons. I find that training for a marathon is a metaphor for parenting a special needs child. It takes patience, dedication, resilience, perseverance… because at the beginning of the journey when the diagnosis hits you in the face you are SO overwhelmed that you just feel like giving up—but you don’t. I run races in honour of Nicolas and to bring awareness to the plight of all special needs parents.
33 SAM BUCKLEY 20, Halifax » Historians will agree, my inaugural run more closely resembled an interpretive dance. It was the most grueling, exasperating, seemingly unending mile of my life. I began to suspect running was just a scheme to sell spandex. This sport is a true test of mental and physical endurance, a trial I’ll admit has brought me to tears! Nevertheless, it’s incredibly rewarding. I couldn’t be more grateful for those that brought me into the fold.
34 ALLEN CHRISTOFFERSEN 51, Winchester » As a father of four, I run to set an example for my children. I tell them “exercise is the catalyst to eating healthy.” By having these two ingredients in their life, it will give them balance. In addition, running will allow me to live my life as long as I can with my beautiful wife.
28 SYLVIE MICHAUD 56, Laval » At 40 years old, I smoked, drank wine almost every night, ate way too much, suffered from chronic pain, had high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I started running a minute at a time, and in 2015, at the age of 54, I ran the Boston marathon in 3:40:14! I made a miracle happen by working hard and never giving up.
29 NATASHA LEWIS 38, Ottawa » I was a new mom when I started running six years ago on an island called Trinidad and Tobago. We had a Savanah near our home surrounded by coconut trees and hot weather. What a great start! After two more babies, in January 2016 I committed myself to do a half marathon in September, 2016 and to lose 80 pounds in one year. I felt on top of the world!
30 RON LARIVIERE 66, Hamilton » Having been a runner for 40 years, I am running low on things to add to my bucket list. Check: 1500m track, trail 100 miler, Boston, even a race on my wedding day with my then wife-to-be. I am still hoping to run faster Beer Miles. All of this has been possible thanks to my job as a letter carrier for over 30 years.
32 TERRY REA 33, Ottawa » Running gets into your blood. It pushes you to be better. Running is my escape, my time to breathe. I am now a 33-year-old father of three and I ran a BQ of 3:04 in my fourth marathon. My kids talk about running and sign up for races now too. I AM A RUNNER. I am proud to say it!
35 SOLE SISTERS 50s and 60s, Pickering » It is not often you meet 5 other women in your late 40s that you instantly bond with. One common friend realized that we all loved to run suggested a “meet up” at our local trail—the rest is history. We run, laugh, and cry together. We are now in our 50s and 60s and it seems life can only get more special and exciting when you share it with friends.
36 NANCY GIRARD 36, Gatineau » After being paralyzed to my bed for almost half a year and feeling hopeless, my acupuncturist looked at me and said that I will recover one day and that I will be running a marathon. Well, here I am five years later running half marathons and training for a marathon. Running is essential in my life. Never give up!
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