Creating a Culture of Safety for Runners was put together by three passionate leaders in the running community—people who not only love the sport but are deeply committed to building connections within their groups. Their passion for people naturally extends to a shared commitment to safety. After all, you can’t create an inclusive and joyful space if people are showing up in fear.

Our speakers are:

• Sarah Rose Black from Chix Run the 6ix

• Alejandro De La Cruz from Running Waters

• Erin Doucette from Toronto Trail Runners and The Trail Collective

Whether you’re looking for ways to feel safer on roads or trails—or want to help others feel included and protected—this episode is for you.

Mark October 17 & 18, 2025 on your calendar and plan to join this year's speaker stage for more lively discussion, important information, and fun friends from the run community!

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EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 18 & 19, 2025

While the Marathon and Half Marathon are already sold out, the fun’s not over yet! You can still be part of the action by signing up for the 5K on Saturday. This high-energy race takes you on a scenic tour through some of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Trust us—this is a weekend you won’t want to miss! Since 2017, this event has been home to the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships and even served as the Olympic Trials.

So lace up for the 5K on Saturday, and then stick around to cheer on thousands of runners taking on the marathon course Sunday. The energy is electric, the crowds are buzzing, and the memories? Totally worth it.

Head to canadarunningseries.com to register now. Let’s make it a weekend to remember!

Intro Music: Joseph McDade

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

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