Canadian Running Magazine Explores the Ultimate Road Race with a Special Marathon Issue
Toronto (August 20, 2008) – The marathon: it’s the quintessential test of endurance. It’s also perhaps the road race distance with the most remarkable, fascinating and inspiring stories behind it. Canadian Running Magazine’s September/October Special Marathon Issue goes the distance with these stories.
From the state of the marquee marathon in Canada and the quest of an amputee runner to pace bunnies and marathon training plans, CRM’s special marathon issue hits newsstands across Canada by September 1.
Below is a synopsis of the marathon stories in the September/October issue of Canadian Running Magazine:
Field of Dreams: The future of the marquee marathon in Canada
By Adeel Ahmad
Marathoners run a long, long way, but the reward is immeasurable. Canadian marathons themselves have a fair distance to go in order to compete on an international scale with such high-profile events like Chicago, New York City or Rome, and two of our country’s most ambitious race directors are working hard to get there. Adeel Ahmad takes an in-depth look at the state of the marathon in Canada. Ahmad talks to ING Ottawa Marathon race director John Halvorsen and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon race director Alan Brookes about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of building a flagship national marathon. The article delves into the heart of the matter, exploring the challenges these two key Canadian marathons are up against. From the strong lure of the half-marathon and the high number of marathons across the country to the ‘destination marathon’ mentality and the lack of public support, Canadian Running Magazine is on pace with the complete marathon story.
On the Ball
By Elizabeth Bokfi
Rick Ball dreams of running the Boston Marathon, a common marathoner’s goal. But one thing stands out about Ball, something that makes this goal all the more challenging – a motorcycle accident 22 years ago left the Bass Lake Woodlands resident a left, below-the-knee (LBK) amputee. Since that day, Ball’s determination has taken him through years of rehabilitation and hard training, from cycling and cross-country skiing to eventually gunning for the ultimate race – the Boston Marathon. Ball, his coach and prosthetist talk about the challenges faced by an amputee in the world or running, discussing the controversial debate over whether or not amputees with prosthetics have an advantage over able-bodied runners, covering such topics as the technology and energy return. One thing is clear – Ball is a man on a mission and new goals constantly drive him to success.
Pace Bunnies Rule: The wonderful world of marathon pacing
>BR>By Kevin MacKinnon
They are the selfless leaders of race day, and many of us wouldn’t reach the finish line without them – they are the Pace Bunnies. Their enthusiasm, dedication and bounce can be deceptive, leading us marathon plodders to believe they are runners of steel and never-ending endurance, but pacing runners through a race to specific finish times is harder than it looks and a task the pacers take seriously. Kevin MacKinnon takes a look at the history of the pace bunny, from its beginnings at the 1952 Olympics with Jim Peters and Emil Zatopek to the emergence of the elite marathon pacer to today as pace bunnies have become expected for even beginners.
>Marathon Plans
By Margreet Dietz
Whether you’re a first-timer, intermediate runner or advanced racer, Canadian Running Magazine has a marathon training plan to set you up for your next race. Plans were developed by Canadian experts; the first-timer plan by two-time Olympian Bruce Deacon, intermediate plan by Kevin Smith of Marathon Dynamics, and advanced plan by coach Dave Scott-Thomas. Thomas also motivates us with some tidbits of marathon wisdom.
The Big List of Canadian Marathons
Pick a weekend – almost any weekend in the fall, spring or summer – and somewhere in the country, people are running a marathon. Canadian Running Magazine has a comprehensive list of marathons from coast to coast.
Pre-Marathon Pasta Course
By Leslie Carson
We all know it as the perfect night-before race day carb-load – pasta! Registered Dietitian Leslie Carson takes readers through a five-lesson course on the intricacies of pasta. From a little history and its nutritional value to the plethora of types of pasta (kamut and spelt pasta?) and ultimately, how to cook the perfect noodle. Carson goes on to entertain us with her own personal pasta disaster and has a recipe for the simplest yet tastiest sauce.
If a runner poops in the woods
By Peter Hadzipetros
Many of us do it, few talk about it. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Peter Hadzipetros broaches the icky topic of doing your business in the woods (or on a street) on race day. Sure, nature calls, but the perils of caving into your bodily demands and the temptation to avoid the porta-potty have been discovered by a few devastated runners.
Book Reviews: Marathon Woman – Running the Race to Revolutionize Women’s Sports
Book By Kathrine Switzer, Harper Collins
Review By Christine Blanchette
Kathrine Switzer is best known as the first woman to officially register and complete the famous Boston Marathon in 1967. Blanchette reviews Switzer’s 405-page memoir, giving readers a taste of Switzer’s story.
La Dolce Vita: David Rocco’s Spaghetti con Pomodoro e Pecorino
By Michal Kapral
David Rocco, a marathoner and the chef on Food Network Canada’s La Dolce Vita, knows about Italian food, and what it takes to fuel a big race. His unique and exciting pasta recipes offer great alternatives to the usual pre-race pasta routine. Check out Rocco’s Spaghetti con Pomodoro e Pecorino for a fresh twist on pasta.
Canadian Running Magazine is available at all Sport Cheks, on special displays at Running Room stores, in most Shoppers Drug Marts, and all major Canadian airports. Canadian Running Magazine is also sold at independent retailers across Canada (please visit www.runningmagazine.ca for a complete list).
For subscriptions, please go to www.runningmagazine.ca or call 416-927-0774.
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