Posted: October 15, 2005

Athletics: “Psych Yourself Up Runners!”

Toronto Marathon Set for Sunday

Returning for the seventh year, the Psyching Team helps runners of the Toronto Marathon put “Mind over Marathon”. This volunteer effort is designed to give runners the capacity to prepare and run with top mental and physical skills. Led by Toronto sport psychologist Dr. Kate Hays, the Psyching Team of 30 psychologists, sport psychologist and counsellors is present throughout the race in various ways. The Team offers mental skills training to runners before the race – at the Expo and those last minute tips before the race start – during the race, when “Psychs on Bikes” are there to encourage and support runners cope with the challenges they face – and at the finish, where the Team works with the Medical Team to help runners recover from head to toe.

The Psyching Team was started by Dr. Hays in 1999 after she assisted the New York City Marathon Psyching Team for a number of years. The Team truly offers added value to the Toronto Marathon runners. Commended by the Ontario Psychological Association, and with international scientific presentations and articles, the Toronto Marathon Psyching Team is the largest and most comprehensive such project in the world.

Dr. Kate Hays will be co-hosting the “How to run your best race” seminar along side of Bart Yasso of Runners’ World on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on King Runners’ Expo.

Find Dr. Hays at the exciting start line of the Marathon and Half Marathon as she and her team help runners through their last minute angst.

“Guests of Honour”

The Toronto Marathon welcomes special guests to the Toronto Marathon this year!

Bart Yasso

Bart is the Promotion Director at Runner's World Magazine and brings his knowledge, wisdom and humour to his presentation at the Carbo Dinner – he will surely inform, inspire and entertain all participants. Completing over 1,000 running and multisport events over the past 25 years including over 150 marathons including New York City, Boston, Antarctica, Kilimanjaro and the Badwater 146 miler through Death Valley, 5 ironmans, to winning the 1987 U.S. national biathlon long course championship, he has done it all!

Bill Rodgers

Bill is a 4 time Boston Marathon and 4 time New York City Marathon winner and runs about 25 races per year. He is the current spokesperson for Running Times Magazine and the Bill Rodgers Running Centre in Boston, MA. Bill will be available for book signing during the pasta dinner/runner's workshop.

Tim Arem a.k.a T-Bone

Award-winning fitness educator Tim Arem joins the Toronto Marathon this year. His popularity reflects a personal commitment he believes in strongly sharing health, fitness and entertainment with children and adults of all ages! Tim’s love and concern for children extends across the United States by actively supporting the Special Olympics. He is an inspiration for motivating teachers and students in schools with his fitness pep rallies. Join T-Bone as he gets things started at the start of the 5K at Queen’s Park on Sunday morning!

For more information, visit www.TorontoMarathon.com.