Posted: November 8, 2007

Athletics: Canadian Marathon Stories - A Book of Extraordinary Inspirations

By Linda Rainville Wagar At the age of 43, I decided to learn to run. I needed to find a quick and easy way to stay fit and keep up with my 2 young children. What developed was a love of not only running, but of long distance running. What also ensued was my ability to change aspects of my lifestyle and embrace healthier habits. Two years later, I would enter and complete the New York City marathon. It was a pivotal moment in my life. I returned home, to Ottawa with a mission. I had always been inspired by running stories. I would give back to the running community by launching a website called "Canadian Marathon Stories". This book is a compilation of some of these stories. I hope they will inspire, motivate, and entertain. This is my labour of love and proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to help support our Canadian athletes. This book was inspired over the course of many runs. Kilometer after kilometer and many training partners lent me the encouragement, ideas and creativity that I would need to see this project through. There are too many of you to name, but you know who you are and your footprints are on these pages. I look forward to hearing your comments on this book! Feel free to submit your stories and we will post them on our website at www.canadianmarathonstories.ca inda@lindawagar.com Read an excerpt from the book: Canadian Marathon Stories. Buying this book is choosing to support the Canadian Athletes Now Fund. The CAN Fund is a not-for-profit organization devoted solely to raising funds and awareness for Canada's athletes. The Fund has been set up to help Canada's athletes get ready for international summer and winter Games. Monies donated to the Fund are put directly into the hands of Canadian elite athletes to support their training, coaching, nutrition and living expenses in preparation for international competition. The mission is to underwrite the expenses of as many Canadian athletes as possible, as support is needed years before the medals can be obtained. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest