To say that getting to interview Alexi Pappas in person at the Servus Calgary Marathon this last weekend was a dream come true is an understatement. I have been a massive fan of this Greek-American Olympian for a long time: she is also an artist, an actor/filmmaker, a podcaster and a truly generous soul. Alexi and I talked about her two books, Bravey and the adaptation she wrote for younger readers, and the new book and film projects she is currently working on. We also dive into the ways she has found joy in the sport in every form: from dancing through the streets during the New York Marathon, to working with her vision-impaired running partner Lisa as she targets the Paralympics, to being an example of what a beautiful continued run life can be after a professional career.

Alexi constantly centres other people's experiences by listening and learning from everyone she encounters (as proved by her podcast Mentor Buffet) and gives incredible advice from a place of experience. I hope you find this magical episode as glittery and bubble-gun filled as we all did. IYKYK

Follow Alexi @alexipappas

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Did you have an awesome time at the Servus Calgary Marathon? Or experiencing FOMO for a fantastic race weekend? Join the Run Calgary team to celebrate the 45th running of the Calgary Police Classic (formerly the Calgary Police Half Marathon) on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Cowboys Park. The Calgary Police Classic is a fall road race that boasts a fast and flat half-marathon course, a new 8 km event (not the traditional 5 km and 10 km races), as well as a brand new kids race. Register now at https://raceroster.com/events/2025/100913/2025-calgary-police-classic

J Solle is an active member and former board member of Front Runners New York and now the Race Director of the iconic Front Runners New York City LGBT Pride Run: the largest pride run in the world, which welcomed over 10,000 runners to its start line last year. J’s spirit and actions mirror the aims of Front Runners and the Pride Run. They celebrate showing up authentically, creating inclusivity for everyone, and amplifying the powerful intersection of sport and community. In addition to bringing the joy of an inclusive start line to others, J is a highly talented runner, having made two appearances at the Boston Marathon.

From speaking at a United Nations event to being recognized as a 2025 Emerging Leader by Running USA to working as a coach helping others reach big goals, J is a light in our running community.

Follow J @jcsolle

Follow Front Runners New York @frontrunnersny

Follow the Front Runners New York City LGBT Pride Run @frnypriderun

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Episode Sponsor: Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K

Vancouver's premier half marathon experience, taking place June 22, 2025. This year, featuring a finisher medal made from recycled chopsticks created just for Canada Running Series by their partner Chop Value. Register with their Impact Bib program, and a portion of your registration fee will be donated in lieu of a race shirt! Join Western Canada's ONLY zero-waste designated race: choose from the half marathon, 5K or kids' race.

For more info and to register, visit www.canadarunningseries.com

After her first appearance on the show five years ago, Daryl Lang is back! Daryl is a vision-impaired runner who races with a guide and completes her training miles with her guide dog. Daryl and I love furry friends, so this episode ended up almost an ode to her two guide dogs, Jenny and Yasha.

Daryl takes us through Jenny's retirement, what it was like to change their relationship from working to companionship, and learning the ins and outs of her new coworker, Yasha (whom she trained with at Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York).

Daryl also became published as a contributing author to the book Run for Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance, and she shares a bit about that process as well.

Yasha and Daryl may still be fine-tuning running together, but in the meantime, Daryl has entered a new space in her running era: nothing to prove to anyone (maybe the best journey yet). She may not be worried about how much she races or what her splits are anymore, but she still has some big goals on the horizon. I have my fingers crossed that I might get to greet her at the finish line sometime soon.

Find Daryl's blog at www.blindbeader.ca

Buy a copy of Run For Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance https://bit.ly/buyrunforyourlife

Donate to Guiding Eyes for the Blind: https://donate.guidingeyes.org/

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Episode Sponsor: Canada Running Series

The Beneva Spring Run Off may have already sprung, but Canada Running Series still has a ton of exciting races to help you find your next start line. Next up: The Under Armour Toronto 10K. With a medal inspired by the city itself, this year’s finish line prize features the iconic Toronto skyline—CN Tower and all—hung on waves of blue, a nod to the scenic waterfront route. Register to earn yours on June 15th: visit www.canadarunningseries.com

Theme music: Joseph McDade

Today, we are celebrating five years together at the Run Canada Podcast! And what better way to do it than telling our funniest, cringiest, most embarrassing running stories??

My friend Sarah Carroll (founder of Underdogs Coaching) and I read a selection of the submitted stories. We can all relate because this sport may be magical, but things get messy sometimes. Knowing we have all been there and can either say, "That happened to me too!" or at least empathize with the situation brings us closer together.

HEADS UP: Unlike every other episode I have EVER posted, this one contains swear words. So don't listen in your car with your four-year-old. Also, not sure your four-year-old wants to hear some of these stories anyway!

Thank you to everyone who hopped on the overshare train with us by sending in your stories: you make this community great. I look forward to drawing a name and sending out a fantastic prize pack from our friends at Canada Running Series and ASICS Canada.

Cheers to five years of fun and many more to come!

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Find Sarah Carroll @underdogs_coaching

Discover what movement will do for your mind @asicscanada

Find your next best race @runcrs and @runcrswest

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Theme music (since day one!): Joseph McDade

As we are nearing our fifth anniversary episode, I love looking back to some of the past episodes we have had that longtime listeners may have forgotten about or that new listeners haven't heard. This episode is a real gem: I got to spend time with my best bud Melanie Murzeau AND meet the legendary Valerie Jerome.

Recorded in 2021, Valerie shares stories from her life in running. From the incredible things that she and her brother Harry achieved on the track to all of the adversity and racism they encountered off it, her candid answers and willingness to share the good and the bad was truly moving.

Valerie talks a lot in the episode about how she had been working since the 90s to get her manuscript published, and as you know, that book FINALLY became a reality in 2023. You can buy a copy for yourself through this Canadian retailer: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/races-the-trials-and-triumphs-of-canadas-fastest-family/9781773102900.html

I am also giving away a copy with the prize package for our fifth anniversary episode: check out @runcanadapodcast for more information.

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series

Canada may be locked in the deep freeze right now, but you can keep your running on target by registering for the Beneva Spring Run-Off, either in person at Toronto's stunning High Park on April 5, 2025, or virtually wherever you are.

Participants can choose from the 8K, 5K, or Kids Race distances. All in-person runners will receive a souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal featuring designs inspired by High Park's beauty.

Don’t wait to register – this season's kickoff always goes fast. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com for more info and to register.

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

If you are an active community runner in the GTA, there's a good change you have met or at least crossed paths with Sabrina Young. A long-time runner, Sabrina began her journey with the Longboat Roadrunners Club, focusing on improving her times to earn a spot on the Boston Marathon start line. As life evolved and her two children entered the picture, Sabrina's relationship with running, along with her goals and values, has shifted. In this conversation, we explore these changes in her journey, as well as her insights from working in the industry in her marketing and writing role at iRun Magazine. We dive into how the running boom has transformed what runners seek from their connection to the sport and how it has helped to make the running community more inclusive.

Follow some of Sabrina's adventures @irunnation

We talk for a WHILE about the Canada Fitness Test/Awards. For those who are too young or for those who want a dip down memory lane, check out https://nevermindgenx.substack.com/p/the-last-great-thing-this-country

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series

Canada may be locked in the deep freeze right now, but you can keep your running on target by registering for the Beneva Spring Run-Off, either in person at Toronto's stunning High Park on April 5, 2025, or virtually wherever you are.

Participants can choose from the 8K, 5K, or Kids Race distances. All in-person runners will receive a souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal featuring designs inspired by High Park's beauty.

Don’t wait to register – this season's kickoff always goes fast. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com for more info and to register.

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

If you are looking to fall in love with running all over again, this is the episode for you. Live from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker Stage; it's the wrap party that was as filled with laughter and tears as a good rom com.

After identifying the need to find ways to support and encourage more women to run the marathon, Canada Running Series created the 2024 Women's Training Group. Hundreds of registrants used online resources and chat forums to work together toward the start line. The day before the big race, some of the participants got together for a shakeout run supported by ASICS and then shared some of their thoughts and discoveries around the speaker stage.

I was again joined by Heather Garner, founder of Kardia, and two program participants (and now MARATHONERS!) Joan Broto and Mandy Mundell. In re-listening, I remembered how meaningful the experience was and how easily we could connect with total strangers because of our mutual love of running. I dare you not to laugh, cry, and totally relate to this conversation (you must supply your own Kleenex).

Watch @towaterfront42K to see what they will be up to for the 2025 race!

Again, thank you to @asicscanada for supporting the program and the wrap party. You made it extra special.

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series

Canada may be locked in the deep freeze right now, but you can keep your running on target by registering for the Beneva Spring Run-Off, either in person at Toronto's stunning High Park on April 5, 2025, or virtually wherever you are.

Participants can choose from the 8K, 5K, or Kids Race distances. All in-person runners will receive a souvenir apparel item and a finisher medal featuring designs inspired by the beauty of High Park.

Don’t wait to register – this season's kickoff always goes fast. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com for more info and to register.

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

What do you get when you pair a dedicated fitness professional and run coach with the challenge of leading a group of runners in a 640 KM, three-day relay race? You get drive, dedication and the satisfaction of reaching a truly impressive goal as a team. Ania Z. approaches training for herself and her clients holistically, putting together over a decade of learning, certification and experience to help others reach their goals. Ania tells us about participating twice in Run to Montreal, an ultra relay race that starts in Nathan Philips Square in Toronto and finishes on Mount Royal in Montreal. It supports some incredible charities and creates a unique experience for participants. There were highs and lows, but both finish lines came with great accomplishment and camaraderie with teammates.

Follow Ania @fierce_flames or at www.fiercefeminineathletics.com

Find Run to Montreal @runtomtl or at www.runtomtl.com

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025

ONLY A FEW SPOTS REMAIN: DON'T WAIT TO REGISTER

On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!

Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!

Theme Music: Joseph McDade