Run Canada Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Giddy up—because today, Michelle and Kim Krezonoski are back! Kim and Michelle have been crushing their own running goals—most notably finishing as the top two Canadian women at the 2024 Boston Marathon—yet they stay grounded and remind us that life is full of different pursuits that fuel us.

Beyond their own training, they've spent the past few years inspiring athletes through their coaching company, Startline Strength. And now, they've added a brand-new venture to their roster: Pairr Socks. Pairr is the result of nearly two years of passion, testing, research, and fine-tuning—and the result is pretty incredible. So gear up for a spicy workout and pair it with this a chat with Kim and Michelle Krezonoski.

Follow Kim @kimkrezonoski

Follow Michelle @michellekrezonoski

Follow Pairr @Pairrsocks

Find Startline Strength at www.startlinestrength.com

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EPISODE SPONSOR: CANADA RUNNING SERIES

As we wrap another incredible race season, it's time to look ahead: registration is open for all Canada Running Series 2026 events, including:

Beneva Spring Run-Off — April 4, 2026: Kick off your racing season with a Toronto classic. Run the 5K, 8K, or Kids Race and enjoy High Park in full spring bloom.

UA Toronto 10K — April 18, 2026: Now on a new date for 2026! Experience Toronto's waterfront like never before with this fast, scenic 10K, plus a fun Kids Race for future runners.

Beneva Vancouver Half — June 28, 2026: Soak in ocean views and mountain backdrops at the Beneva Vancouver Half Marathon or 5K — one of Canada's most beautiful races.

Visit www.canadarunningseries.com  for more details and to register

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

Sarah Deeb, along with her sister Maysoun, launched Womensfitsauga in 2020 to get more women moving together in a social, supportive space - and to become the role models they wished they had had growing up in sport. The journey hasn't been without bumps (looking at you, COVID), but every pivot they had to make and new activity they had to try helped shape the dynamic, welcoming run space they have today. Sarah's outlook on showing up as you are and moving together reminds me of my favourite run quote from the amazing Alexi Pappas: "Running is a team sport masked as an individual sport". When we chase our own goals side by side, the work feels lighter, the joy gets bigger, and you just never know who might join you along the way. 

Follow WFS @womensfitsauga

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Under Armour Toronto 10K

On April 18, 2026, it will be the same race. Same community. New streets. All gas.

Start and finish at Nathan Phillips Square and feel the city move with you. Registration includes your race bib, UA tech shirt, medal, and a 40% Under Armour discount. Choose an Impact Bib to donate $10 to KidSport instead of receiving a shirt.

Registration is open — sign up now at www.canadarunningseries.com

I use the word resilient often on this show, but today's guest Samantha Powderhorn truly redefines it. Raised in the remote Sayisi Dene First Nation in Northern Manitoba, Samantha faced an incredibly tough childhood marked by addiction, neglect, and becoming a mother at just 15 years old. Later, after a cancer diagnosis and the devastating loss of her brother, she found herself battling addiction, trapped in an unhappy marriage, and trying to find a way forward.

But Samantha's story doesn't end there. She has transformed her life by learning to love and care for herself and discovering strength through running. She became the first Sayisi Dene woman to complete the Churchill Marathon and is setting her sights on even more incredible goals.

Samantha is brave, compassionate, and deeply inspiring. She shares her story hoping it will help others find their own path through hardship. 

Follow Samantha @sayisitaurus

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Under Armour Toronto 10K

The Under Armour Toronto 10K is all about community: join us for a day of active excitement. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a first-timer, this event is about more than just a run: it's an opportunity to rally your crew and create lasting memories in your community. At over 90% sold out, this is your final call to join the fun. visit https://canadarunningseries.com/toronto-10k/ for more info and to get registered. 

Intro Music: Joseph McDade

Jake Fedorowski is a true example of being the change you want to see. A runner and board of directors member with the Seattle Frontrunners, Jake committed to stop running in any races that didn't have a non-binary race division. They went further by creating a guide to non-binary inclusion in running and then made it available for free to any race director looking to make their race more inclusive. They also continue to work as a consultant in their spare time to several races, including the Chicago Marathon, to help teams through the process. Jake is kind, confident, giving and honest, and they are using all these skills and more to make running a space where everyone can be comfortable, safe, and truly themselves.

Jen Cerullo has been a passionate member of the events community for a long time, including almost six years as an Event Manager with Canada Running Series. She has always brought her strong leadership skills and ability to make things work, but now she's bringing another one of her skills to the forefront: her passion for sustainability. Her education and practice in making events of all sizes more responsible for sustaining the communities they run through are amazing and inspiring. I hope this conversation makes you think a bit more about your impact on your community as a runner and what actions you can take to leave the places you run through better than you found them.

Astrid Nyame and Adrea Propp have lived parallel life experiences as Saskatchewan track and field athletes for many years. They excelled in high school and had successful university experiences. They transitioned to high-performance athlete training centres away from their home province. Though they both had great experiences, ultimately, they decided to return to Saskatchewan. They have created SaskWatch Athletics, which began as a social platform and recently expanded to a podcast, to give a moment in the sun to these prairie athletes that don't always get their due. We talk about the realities of track careers after university and what might be next for this fantastic duo.

I told some of Canada's favourite race directors that I was having the Executive Director of the Emera Blue Nose Marathon, Sherri Robbins, on the show. I asked them to give me some words to describe her. They said she was a doer, always willing to work on any job, no matter the size of the project, and that she always get it done. This is all very accurate, but my favourite was this: Sherri is a dependable problem-solving thought leader. She is a pillar of the race community, both on the east coast, and all across Canada. And she's also just an incredible human to get to spend time with and has a lot of great thoughts on how to get a start in the race industry. 

Arden Young is an ultra trail running dentist who has been kicking around the trail scene for quite some time but is now taking it into high gear. After a lot of success in the Canadian women's field, she has spent the last few years dipping into US and European races, including the Bandera 100K, the Javelina Jundred, and a couple of turns on the coveted Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc CCC in Chamonix, France. We talk about building up a well of both physical and emotional resilience, creating the ultimate trail mix, and the growth of women's participation and success in the sport. 

Meet Victoria Coates: lover of cross country and, recently, first-time marathoner. This McMaster and Queens running alum has had the opportunity to represent Team Canada at a number of races, including the World Half Marathon championships, the Pan Am Cross Country Cup, and the World Cross Country Championships. She now trains under the great Reid Coolsaet and has had one jam-packed race year. Not only did she win Around the Bay, but she also competed in three national championships: the 10,000, the 10K road Championships, and of course, the Canadian Marathon Championships. Victoria is driven, focused, and committed to racing with grit to find how far her fitness can take her. 

Auntie Dione is here! Toronto's Warm-Up Lady, and founder and Race Director of the Toronto Carnival Run, Dione Mason is a fantastic human. She brings the perfect balance of drive and big dreams, with a practical realism that keeps her grounded and getting things done. This award-winning fitness and lifestyle coach also started the Simunye Foundation: an organization that has both short and long-term goals to bring history and cultural awareness to the black diaspora in Canada. Dione has such a passion for bringing whole-body wellness and happiness to people, it fills my heart with joy, and I think you will feel it too.