Lace up for an inspiring episode with Samir Mourani, the first Canadian Ambassador for Movember!
Samir shares his journey from a sporadic gym-goer to an upcoming 50K ultramarathoner this Movember. He's tackling this immense physical challenge to raise crucial awareness and funds for Movember's mental health initiatives.
Discover the profound mental and emotional benefits Samir unlocked through consistent running. He discusses how exercise has dramatically improved his productivity, sleep, and overall well-being.
We dive into themes of modern masculinity, the strength in emotional vulnerability, and the life-changing power of community and conversation for men's mental health.
If you need a reminder of the link between physical health and a resilient mind, this is a must-listen.
Hit play to hear about running, vulnerability, and the long road to better mental health.

Learn more about Samir at: https://www.instagram.com/samirmourani/

Register for the Athletics Ontario Cross Country Championships Community Run: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/series/cross-country-championships

Anyone that uses AthleticsReg to register for an event will need to create an AthleticsReg account. Once they go through the prompts to make an account, they'll automatically be brought to the registration for the AOXC Champs with the community run being one of the options on Saturday.

The promo code is aoxc-community-2km or aoxc-community-5km depending on which race the person wants to do (also, you will need to add a day membership). After the promo code is entered, the total cost for the event and the day membership will come to exactly $10 including taxes and processing fees.

Meet Sean Sharp and Kathy Webber, the heart behind N89 Trail Running!
Hear Kathy's powerful journey: creating N89, born out of COVID-19 race cancellations. Sean then shares how running helped him overcome a difficult period and why he partnered with Kathy, driven by his love for N89's supportive community focus (especially the Great Mansfield Outdoors).
They detail their diverse events: from the beginner-friendly Chill Session 5K & 10K (REGISTER TODAY!!) to intense ultras like the Vertical Challenge and the Utopia Backyard Ultra. Discover how N89 builds a welcoming trail family, offering coaching and workshops for all skill levels.
The trail is for everyone. Listen now!

Learn more about N89 at: https://www.instagram.com/n89trailrunning/

Register for the Athletics Ontario Cross Country Championships Community Run: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/series/cross-country-championships

Anyone that uses AthleticsReg to register for an event will need to create an AthleticsReg account. Once they go through the prompts to make an account, they'll automatically be brought to the registration for the AOXC Champs with the community run being one of the options on Saturday.

The promo code is aoxc-community-2km or aoxc-community-5km depending on which race the person wants to do (also, you will need to add a day membership). After the promo code is entered, the total cost for the event and the day membership will come to exactly $10 including taxes and processing fees.

From accidental runner to ultrarunner and literary maven, Riley van der Linden is a force of nature. Find out how a move to a new city sparked a passion that led to a jaw-dropping 1000-day run streak and a new perspective on life. We dive into the world of Toronto's vibrant running communities, the secrets behind her popular @runtobooks Instagram account, and the one piece of advice they have for anyone starting their running journey.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation that will make you want to lace up your shoes and grab a book.

Learn more about Riley at: https://www.instagram.com/runtobooks/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership

We welcome back Dr. Sasha Gollish to the Trillium Running Podcast for a conversation all about FUN. Host John Shep catches up with her 2023 year, her 2024 goals and an extremely insightful project Sasha is working on to ensure sport and athletics are mentally healthy and FUN!

Find out more about Sasha on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sgollishruns/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Inspired to act, inspiring others through actions - this ethos drives the work of Athletics Ontario Road and Trail Ambassador Vincent Kuber. This week on the Trillium Running Podcast, host John Shep catches up with STAC Hamilton's founder, to find out the amazing things he is doing to drive inclusion and equity through sport for youth in the city that he loves.

Find out more about Vince on IG: https://www.instagram.com/coach.vince.k/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Kim Krezonoski blazed a path from small-town Thunder Bay, to competing at OFSAA, to NCAAs, to a diverse post-collegiate love of fitness, to a present day elite-level competitiveness at Canadian Marathon and Cross-Country Championships. On this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast with John Shep, she shares her secrets to successfully running injury-free and with joy, to embracing the community of running and to finding the best run-cation coffee shop!

Find out more about Kim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimkrezonoski/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Our youngest Athletics Ontario Road and Trail Ambassador, Adriano Padoin-Castillo, is still a veteran sportsperson! He speaks with host John Shep about his athletic diversity as a hockey, swimming, soccer and running aficianado, and how that all led to him speed skating? Listen in to find out how!

Find out more about Adriano on IG: https://www.instagram.com/apc.11/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

What is the Athletics Ontario Road and Trail Ambassador Program? In a series highlighting these amazing individuals, host John Shep and the Trillium Running Podcast start things off by speaking with Lisa Sun of Ontario run crew We Run North York about the everyday and every way runner.

Find out more about Lisa Sun on IG: https://www.instagram.com/belovedrunner/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

The Western States Endurance Run is arguably the most prominent ultramarathon in all of North America. The Sulphur Springs Trail Race in Ancaster, Ontario, is aiming to be the very first certified qualifier in our province for the WSER. But why is that important? What is Western States? Host John Shep speaks this week with John Medinger, Past President and long-time board member of the Western States Endurance Run to find out!

Find out more about the Western States Endurance Run on IG: https://www.instagram.com/wser/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

60 men are lost to suicide globally, every hour. In 2023, Movember Canada is encouraging all to MOVE FOR MENTAL HEALTH. Host John Shep speaks with Movember Senior Development Manager (and runner) Shane DeMarchant about the history of Movember, the importance of speaking about mens' physical and mental health, and why we grow mustaches and not mullets each November!

Connect with Movember on IG: https://www.instagram.com/movember/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

"Your diversity adds beauty to the running community. Keep running with pride. YOU BELONG HERE!" Words of wisdom from the inspiring Melanie Murzeau, founder of Black Runners of the GTA. Listen and be impressed by her efforts as a runner, as an advocate and as the co-founder of the Scarborough 5K on this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast with host John Shep.

And we invite back Event Director Charlotte Brookes, who has stories to tell about an amazing TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon race weekend!

Connect with Black Runners of the GTA on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blackrunnersofthegta/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

Age is nothing but a number. Grace Panoff has completed marathons, Ironmans and ultramarathons, all after the age of 40. She is an inspiration to anyone who meets her and host John Shep brings her lessons to this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast.

We are just days away from the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon - find out how our wonderful Event Director Charlotte Brookes and her team are making their final preparations to ensure this is a magical weekend for all runners!

Connect with Grace on IG: www.instagram.com/ultra_grace_panoff

Find out more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

It is Thanksgiving week and what does that mean? FOOD! Host John Shep invites Top Chef Canada alum Connie Desousa and her partner at Charcut, John Jackson, to chat of course about eating, but also the role that running plays in their busy restaurant and food-focused lifestyles.

We are also one week away from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. With Event Director Charlotte Brookes, we discuss all things expo, event swag and trash pandas!!

Connect with Connie and John on IG: www.instagram.com/charcut

Find out more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

This week, we're joined by local running legend, Harvey Steinhoff, and he's not holding anything back! We're celebrating a milestone as we go inside the incredible second-anniversary story of the Shores of Erie run club—from a simple idea to a thriving community.
But that's just the start. Harvey, an official ambassador for the Windsor Waterfront Half Marathon, takes you behind the scenes of the city's premier running event. He'll share his top secrets for preparing for the big day on September 14th, and reveal the untold story of what it really takes to lead a community of athletes.
Don't just listen to the journey—run with it. This is one episode you can't afford to miss!

Learn more about Harvey at: https://www.instagram.com/altra_harvey/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership

As we gear up for Athletics Ontario's Trillium Running Festival on October 29, the Trail Collective is sharing in the message of inclusion: as we say on the podcast, "all abilities are welcome!" Host John Shep sits down with Erin Doucette about how the Trail Collective is bringing trail belonging (and candy!) to their run clinics and to the Trillium Running Festival.
And our TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon countdown series continues with the returning guest Alan Brookes, founder of Canada Running Series! With Event Director Charlotte Brookes joining alongside, host John Shep learns all about the Canadian and global elite fields for the 2023 race!

Connect with The Trail Collective on IG: www.instagram.com/the.trail.collective

Find out more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

Athletics Canada is walking the talk (or run, as the case may be!). Coming of a great World Championships, CEO Mathieu Gentès shares the other side of supporting our athletes: their mental health and well-being.

We are only three weeks out from the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Community & Charity Challenge Manager Anh Vuong-Phillpotts joins us to chat all things philanthropy! How much money has the event raised over the years, what charitable partners are involved and who are the fundraisers they have celebrated along the way.

Connect with Athletics Canada on IG: https://www.instagram.com/athleticscanada/

Find out more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

Terry Fox is a Canadian icon and continues to be an inspiration to millions. We at the Trillium Running Podcast hope to honour him with this week's episode, featuring guest and Terry's brother Fred Fox. Let's celebrate the impact of this truly amazing Canadian hero, the way that many will with this week's Terry Fox Runs in cities and schools across Canada.
Also, in a special weekly countdown series leading up to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, we find out what it takes to put on such a great event with Event Director Charlotte Brookes, including what is new and exciting for 2023's race.

Connect with the Terry Fox Foundation: https://terryfox.org/

Find out more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

It is all about good people. This week on the Trillium Running Podcast, host John Shep catches us with good people and 5 Peaks Ontario Race Directors Liana and Chris Williams, including an interesting origin story of the great Andre De Grasse! With their love for each other and for trail running, they have expanded the 5 Peaks Ontario racing scene and we catch up before their Harold Town Harvest Run in Peterborough on Saturday, September 30th, 2023.

Check out the 5 Peaks Ontario races at: http://www.5peaks.com/2023-ontario-east

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

8 Days - 7 Stages - 160 KM - the ENDURrun! Host John Shep took on the ultimate test of running as a competitor in this year's edition of the ENDURrun. In this two-part episode, we learn the history of the event with Race Director Lloyd Schmidt and recaps this year's edition with fellow runner Wayne Young, who raised money for the Terry Fox Foundation as Ajax Spiderman!

Learn more about the ENDURrun (and register for 2024) at: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/78957/the-endurrun-2024

Connect with Wayne/Spiderman at: https://ajaxspiderman.ca/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

We all deserve a safe and welcoming place to enjoy the sport that we love - for the queer running community in Toronto, that place is the Queer Run Club. This week on the Trillium Running Podcast, host John Shep connects with QRC founder MK to learn about their passionate run club who are celebrating their Two-Year Anniversary this week(!) and what we all can learn about supporting the queer running community.
Connect with MK and QRC on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/queerrunclub/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/
Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

Although Kinsey Middleton had to pull out of the 2023 World Athletics Championship Marathon in Budapest, we invite you to listen to a great interview with her on this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast. What is the day in the life of an elite marathoner? What sorts of training is required to be the 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon women's champion and 2022 RunOttawa Marathon women's champion? Is it better to be a drug tester or drug tested at the finish line of a marathon? We get answers to all these questions and more!
Connect with Kinsey on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kinseymiddleton/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/
Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

"Put on your shoes and run." This is not the experience for all bodies, all genders, all abiliites. Women are vastly underrepresented in the marathon distance and experience barriers to running that often go unnoticed. We take this week on the Trillium Running Podcast to notice and speak deeply with an amazing guest, Amanda Richardson, founder of Chix Run The 6ix. Her story and insights, along with her passion, should inspire us all - especially men - to listen to what we can do to support the women in our lives to fully experience this great sport of running.
Connect with Amanda on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedmotherrunner/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/
Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

From amputee to advocate, multi-time Athletics Ontario and Canadian National medallist Aristotle Domingo demonstrates his abilities as a para-athlete on the roads and in the field. What prompted the recipient of ParaSport Ontario's 2020 Ambassador of the Year Award to say: "I feel healthier now that I've become an amputee?" Find out on this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast.
Connect with Aristotle on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/amput_o/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/
Register NOW for the 2023 Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

On our Mount Rushmore of running podcast guests is Alex Hutchinson. The author and award winning journalist speaks wtih host John Shep on this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast about enduring messages of his book Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance on its five-year anniversary. What has he changed his mind about and what global running events have reinforced the book's themes of brain endurance in sport?

Connect with Alex on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/sweatscience

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register for Athletics Ontario's Trillium Running Festival: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/76090/athletics-ontario-trillium-running-festival

On this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Burlington firefighter, mental health advocate, and runner Ryan Gallagher. Ryan shares the deeply personal story behind his mission to run 21 half-marathons in 21 days to raise funds for Pathstone Mental Health in September 2025. He opens up about how he's navigated his own mental health and sobriety journeys following the loss of his father and a decade of firefighting, and how he found healing through therapy and running. Join us as Ryan inspires listeners to prioritize their mental health and seek the help they need.

Learn more about Ryan at: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.runs21/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership

We are alive, we are running! Wallace Wong, the Six Pack Chef of Top Chef Canada fame and new Guinness World Record holder, joins us on the Trillium Running Podcast to run through his life and accomplishments, along with some practical tips for staying healthy and balanced as foodie runners.
Connect with Wallace on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/w2sixpackchef/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Let's take a stroll with two-time Olympian Evan Dunfee and author Noel Paine along their racewalking journeys. How can racewalking be a part of your road and trail running experiences? We find out from them on this episode of the Trillium Running Podcast.

Connect with Evan on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/evandunfee

Connect with Noel on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/canadianracewalking/

Purchase Learning to Race Walk: https://www.amazon.ca/Learning-Race-walk-walkers-nonsense/dp/B0BW38DBG1

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Our guest says it well: running is good for the brain, bad for the legs! John Spanninga is an amputee runner who crossed paths with our host John Shep at the 2023 Sulphur Springs Trail Race. On this week's podcast, they talk about John's journey to that race along with his future trails, including this weekend's Summit 700 in Blue Mountain, Ontario.

Connect with John Spanninga on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/onearmstump/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Thank you to WealthSense https://wealthsense.ca/ and Marsquest https://www.marsquest.com/ for their support of Athletics Ontario.

With Pride month coming to a close, we have Run Beyond the Binary founder Jake Fedorowski on this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast. They share their running story along with what races, run crews and federations can do to support non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ runners throughout the year.

Connect with Jake on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jakefedorowski

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

We run with PRIDE at Athletics Ontario and this week on the Trillium Running Podcast, we celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies with Gabriel Jarquin, co-president of the Pride and Remembrance Association. His story and path to running is inspirational and we dive deep into his devotion to the sport and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Connect with Gabriel on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/gabrieljarquin/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

We have Chris Johnston, TSN Hockey Insider to talk about... running? Yes!!! The Stanley Cup Playoffs are all wrapped up and Chris Johnston is joining us on the Trillium Running Podcast to chat about his relationship to running and an over 1300 day running streak.

Connect with Chris on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/reporterchris/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Thank you to WealthSense https://wealthsense.ca/ and Marsquest https://www.marsquest.com/ for their support of Athletics Ontario.

Time to sit under Krista Duchene's learning tree! The 2016 Olympian, podium finisher at the Boston Marathon and former Canadian champion in both the half and full marathon distances brings her lessons from an elite career to the Trillium Running Podcast.

Connect with Krista on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kristaduchene/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Thank you to WealthSense https://wealthsense.ca/ and Marsquest https://www.marsquest.com/ for their support of Athletics Ontario.

Food, glorious food! On this episode of the Trillium Running Podcast, we treat ourselves to an appetizing conversation with Chuck Ortiz, founder of Food Runners Toronto. Listen to find out how the Food Runners infuse running to support the physical and mental well-being of those in the hospitality industry.

Connect with the Food Runners on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodrunners_/?hl=en

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

The second-ever World Mountain and Trail Running Championships will be held in Innsbruck-Stubai, Austria from June 6-10, 2023 and on this episode of the Trillium Running Podcast, we have one of the representatives from Team Canada, Kerri Labrecque. Kerri is a runner, mother of 2 daughters, nature lover and dietitian, who shares her thoughtful and elegant approach to running and the trails.

Connect with Kerri on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/runningtrailsbykerri/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Brian Bondy wanted to know what running for over 48 hours felt like! So the ultrarunner, who also represented Team Canada at the 2022 Big Dog's Backyard Ultra National Championships, tested himself at the 2023 Cocodona 250 mile run in Arizona. He's here on the Trillium Running Podcast to tell us his tale!

Connect with Brian online at: https://brianbondy.com/

Check out FAwR (First Annual weUltra Run): https://www.facebook.com/groups/654060825099521/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

From July 21st to 25th, 2025, the inaugural SOO 200 made its mark on the ultra running world, bringing a gritty, breathtaking 200-mile challenge to Sault Ste. Marie, thanks to the team at Sinister Sports. Among the brave twenty runners to take it on? AO Running Podcast host and 2025-2026 AO Running Ambassador John Shep, who didn't just run the race, but lived the full experience of it. Join us on this week's episode to find out all about his adventure, with guest host Ben Kaplan of iRun Magazine!

Learn more about iRun Magazine at: https://irun.ca/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership

All around the world, Kevin MacKinnon is the voice of endurance sports, in digital media, in coaches' corner and in the announcer's booth. What makes the man behind the microphone, whose 30 year career has included being the Editor in Chief of Ironman, the founding editor of Triathlon Magazine Canada and the VOICE of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon? We find out this week on the Trillium Running Podcast.

Find out all about Kevin on his website: http://www.mackatak.net/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

 What can we learn from one of the most impressive first years in the world of 100 milers? We find out from Marianne Hogan, ultrarunner and coach, who made the podium at both the 2022 Western States Endurance Run and Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc. She smiled, she learned, she grew, and she is gearing up for an impassioned future in the sport.

Find out what Marianne is up to on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannehogan_/?hl=en

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member (for amazing race discounts!): https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Register for the Sulphur Springs Trail Race: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/60629/sulphur-springs-trail-race-2023

His full title is Event Supervisor for Happy Trails Racing, but informally, Byron Guptill is THE supporter of the sport of running and the people in it. On this episode of the Trillium Running Podcast, he shares his over ten year ultrarunning journey, crewing and pacing experiences (including for 200 milers) and quite a few laughs.

Connect with Byron on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/byronguptill/?hl=en

Volunteer for Happy Trails Racing at: https://www.happytrailsracing.com/volunteers

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsontario.ca/2022-ao-membership-registration/

Bart Yasso, the Mayor of Running, the retired Runner's World Chief Running Officer and the creator of the "Yasso 800's," was an absolute treasure to have on the Trillium Running Podcast.  He joins us this week to chat about the runs he's taken and the paths he's crossed, reflecting on the people and places he loves in the world of running.

Find Bart Yasso online at: https://www.bartyasso.com/

Connect with Bart on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bartyasso/?hl=en

From racing in the legendary streets of Boston to the frozen and chilly Antarctic, Matt West of DMSE Sports has given runners all over the globe the opportunity to fulfill their running dreams. On this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast, we learn from his experiences, his passions and his desire to see the running industry thrive.

Find out more about Matt West and DMSE Sports at: https://www.dmsesports.com/

In Part Two of our discussion with Sabrina Pace-Humphries, co-founder of UK's Black Trail Runners, we learn about the reasons behind the Black Trail Runners movement, the positive impact they are having on the UK trail racing scene, and what we in Ontario can learn about championing diversity and inclusion in our wonderful sport.

Find Sabrina on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sabrunsmiles/?hl=en

Find out more about Black Trail Runners: https://www.instagram.com/blacktrailrunners/?hl=en

Link to her book, Black Sheep: A Story of Rural Racism, Identity and Hope: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1529418569/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

Get ready for a great one. Sabrina Pace-Humphries is an ultrarunner, a force for diversity and inclusion, author, and co-founder of UK's Black Trail Runners. Listen to her inspiring story of life, recovery and running in some of the world's toughest ultramarathons in part one of our interview on this week's edition of the Trillium Running Podcast.

Find Sabrina on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sabrunsmiles/?hl=en

Find out more about Black Trail Runners: https://www.instagram.com/blacktrailrunners/?hl=en

Link to her book, Black Sheep: A Story of Rural Racism, Identity and Hope: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1529418569/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

Kevin Coffey is inspiration and perseverence personified. This week on the Trillium Running Podcast, host John Shep speaks with professional coach and runner, survivor of a brutal Traumatic Brain Injury, who became 2022 Male Winner of the Around the Bay 30k.

Find out all about Kevin on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/coffeyrunner/

Rising costs, construction, post-pandemic recovery - all of these are impacting the landscape of local marathons in Ontario. Kerry Gillespie is a sports reporter for the Toronto Star, who wrote an extremely insightful article on this exact topic and she is here on this week's episode of the Trillium Running Podcast to discuss!

Link to the article: https://www.thestar.com/sports/2023/01/14/how-the-landscape-of-local-marathons-is-changing-as-organizers-run-out-of-options.html

We made it! Host John Shep and the Tailgate Night Runners (Byron, Louis, Ken, Chris and Jeff) stumbled to the finish line of the Chilly Half Marathon to cap off their 2023 Goggins Challenge (run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours) in support of the Maddie Project. Hear about our adventures and the power of community to raise awareness for mental health and support the North York General Hospital.

To donate to the Maddie Project: https://fundraisefornygh.ca/ui/PushYourLimits/p/jshep

To find out more about the Tailgate Night Runners: https://www.instagram.com/tailgatenightrunners/

Join us on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast as we dive into the world of running with Dekel Chui, one of the 2025-2026 AO Running Ambassadors! Based in Toronto, Dekel embodies the spirit of "running for joy," sharing his journey of rediscovering the sport and finding profound happiness in every stride. We'll explore his incredible feats, including being part of a team that holds two Guinness World Records for the Fastest Marathon and Fastest Half-marathon in a Five-Person Costume (dressed as a Streetcar!).
Beyond the records, Dekel is deeply involved with RunTOBeer (@runtobeer) as a Board of Directors member. Discover how this unique group perfectly blends the joy of running with the camaraderie of post-run socializing. Dekel shares his passion for fostering a more accessible and welcoming running community, where fun and inclusivity are paramount, regardless of pace or ability.

Learn more about Dekel at: https://www.instagram.com/dekelchui/

Want to support Wayne Young, Ajax Spiderman? Check out: https://www.instagram.com/runningbeast666/

Discover more about the Athletics Ontario Running Ambassador Program at https://athleticsontario.ca/road-trail-running/athlete-ambassador-program/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership

The Around the Bay Road Race is a unique distance, a unique race and has a unique history. 129 years and going strong, host John Shep speaks with Race Director Anna Lewis about her passion for this iconic Ontario race and how it is all about relationships and community.

Register for the race and find out more at: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/62896/around-the-bay-road-race-2023

Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayracerun/

Hear about us gearing up for the 2023 Push Your Limits Goggins Challenge with The Maddie Project on the Trillium Running Podcast. We chat with founder Nicole German, Emma Dolphin of Aethos and runner Chris Albion about the power of running to raise (and raise awareness for) mental health and to support the North York General Hospital.

Donate to NYGH Push Your Limits for host John Shep: https://fundraisefornygh.ca/ui/PushYourLimits/p/jshep

Find out more about the Maddie Project: https://www.instagram.com/maddie_project/

Find out more about Team Aethos: https://www.aethos.ca/

Dr. Heather Wheeler, Ph.D., C.Psych. is the Mental Health Practitioner at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario where she is leading the Mental Health Strategy. She is the Mental Health Lead for Athletics Canada and the Mental Health Practitioner for Swimming Canada in the Ontario High Performance Centre.

On the Trillium Running Podcast, we learn about how elite runners prioritize their mental health and what we everyday runners can learn from that wisdom.

Find out more on Dr. Wheeler's website: http://www.drheatherwheeler.com/