Home   In Spain Alphavalue / Divacons | The Spanish telecommunications company has awarded ZTE the Chinese telecommunications network manufacturer a project to build a fibre optic line in the Basque Country where transatlantic submarine cables arrive The new infrastructure will provide an alternative or diversified route between northern Spain and France This deployment will allow technology companies to have a totally diversified route from those currently available This deployment is the first step for Masorange as a new competitive player in the large transmission infrastructure market in Spain Facebook Twitter After a limited number of training sessions with all players available due to the World Championship Barça's handball team secured a spot in the Spanish Cup final with a 35-27 win over Bidasoa Irun in Lanzarote The match was a close affair until halftime (18-17) They now face Bathco Torrelavega in the final and Barça were never really in control until the second half when they finally built a decisive lead thanks to a 4-0 run Despite strong goalkeeping from Leo Maciel cruising on to victory and the chance to win the Spanish Cup for the second time The big game gets under way at 1pm CET Sunday Access all of the club's multimedia content Un estadio referente y reconocido internacionalmente por sus instalaciones modernidad y capacidad para acoger eventos durante los 365 días del año Make your reservation to visit every corner of the amazing RCDE Stadium and discover all the history of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona Feel the pre-match excitement with exclusive pitchside access to watch the players’ warm-up up close witness the starting eleven step onto the field from the tunnel And get to meet and greet the stars after the match RCD Espanyol have reached an agreement for Joan Puig to join and Real Unión de Irún whose contract was set to end on June 30th concludes his time at the club after joining  in July of 2022 Everything about the game on your mobile phone © 2025 Official Website of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona S.A.D Bidasoa Irun and Montpellier Handball are the first two teams to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the EHF European League Men 2024/25 they both bounced back from their earlier defeats in the reverse fixtures against Limoges Handball and GOG Arthur Lenne secured Montpellier top spot in group I when he netted for 30:28 with 15 seconds left on the clock GOG were close to turn the match around near the end but now are still not guaranteed of a play-off spot Even 17 saves of goalkeeper Sven Näf did not prevent HC Kriens-Luzern from losing 31:29 against Fraikin BM THW Kiel remained unbeaten after their 35:30 win at FC Porto and went top of group III alone as MT Melsungen surprisingly dropped a point at home against Vojvodina: 26:26 — a result that only stood after Aaron Mensing scored the equaliser for the hosts three seconds before the end Bidasoa Irun (ESP) vs Limoges Handball (FRA) 35:30 (15:15) After Sport Lisboa e Benfica's defeat against Ystads IF HF earlier Tuesday Bidasoa Irun seized the opportunity and sealed their quarter-final berth The former EHF Champions League winners from Spain marched through in style One week after their 32:31 defeat against Limoges Handball the team of Alejandro Mozas turned the tables on their French opponents and wiped out that deficit with a 35:30 win No team can overtake Irun on top of group II anymore Backed by 13 saves of Argentine goalkeeper Leonel Maciel Irun took control after an equal first half in which Limoges had the better start (10:7) It took a while until the hosts managed to decide the encounter when a 6:2 run for Irun to go 29:23 ahead was crucial Irun return to this stage of a European competition 18 years after their last quarter-final — in the EHF Cup 2006/07 Irun’s top scorer was Rodrigo Salinas with six goals; Ihor Turchenko netted the same number for the French side still ahead of Kriens (four) and Granollers (three) You said no to using cookies or similar tools that help improve your experience. To see this content, you would need to update your Privacy Preferences Montpellier Handball (FRA) vs GOG (DEN) 30:28 (17:14) Fraikin BM. Granollers (ESP) vs HC Kriens-Luzern (SUI) 31:29 (17:14) FC Porto (POR) vs THW Kiel (GER) 30:35 (15:17) MT Melsungen (GER) vs Vojvodina (SRB) 26:26 (15:16) photos main & in-text: Arrate Morales; gallery: as stated Bidasoa Irun and Montpellier Handball aim for revenge in the reverse fixtures QUARTER-FINAL REVIEW: Line-up for Maschinensucher EHF Finals 2025 has been confirmed following second leg of quarter-finals QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: Nothing is decided before the second leg matches of the quarter-finals QUARTER-FINAL REVIEW: All ties close as road to Maschinensucher EHF Finals remains wide open for all quarter-finalists ROUND PREVIEW: The last quarter-final and play-off tickets are still up for grabs ROUND PREVIEW: Flensburg and Montpellier hope to extend their winning streaks while Kiel are determined to claim two points against Porto while Montpellier can extend their winning streak against Kriens-Luzern ROUND PREVIEW: The group matches will finish on Tuesday with 16 encounters in round 6 ROUND PREVIEW: 11 main round tickets are still available to grab as the battle is heating up in round 5 of the group matches is standing out both for the Yellows and in Belgium together with the skills developed in the Villarreal CF youth academy have allowed her to participate in the prestigious High Potentials programme of the Association des Clubs Francophones de Football (Association of Francophone Football Clubs – ACFF) Sofia’s football journey began in Brussels (Belgium) the city where the young footballer was born as her parents Manuel Irún and María Molina were based in the heart of Europe working as European Commission staff Sofia started playing in La Rojita de Bruselas a football academy created in 2010 by Spanish families living in the European capital with the spirit of educating children through sport the family moved to Budapest (Hungary) for professional reasons so Sofia continued her training at the Buda Juniors academy and later at the Barça Academy Hungary After participating in a summer camp in Benicàssim the player received a call from Patri Traver – coordinator at the time of Villarreal Women – to start training with the Submarine’s girls’ U12 side (Alevín Femenino) playing and winning the Easter Yellow Cup 2022 It was in the 2023/24 season when she joined the Yellows for good Sofia greatly appreciates the support she has received at Villarreal CF: “Villarreal is like a family and with my teammates we form a team in which we all help each other to improve I’ve grown as a player here and I’ve also learnt to read the game and make better decisions on the pitch,” she explains She adds: “Every week we analyse moves and games which allows us to understand what we can do better as players and as a team This way we can correct mistakes and overcome new challenges like the Belgian Federation’s High Potentials programme.” A step towards the highest level: the High Potentials programme Sofia was selected to participate in the prestigious High Potentials programme of the Association des Clubs Francophones de Football (ACFF); a programme that focuses on the early detection of players with high potential in order to provide them with complementary training to that offered by their club through training sessions at the ProximusCamp in Tubize which came to the family’s attention through Ignacio Galán It’s true that at first I was a bit scared because although I have family and friends in Belgium I didn’t know anyone in the programme,” confesses Sofía the Villarreal CF player is very positive about the experience: “The training sessions are hard but I love it because I’m learning a lot of new things and making friends Another very positive aspect for the young footballer is the multiculturalism she is constantly exposed to “At the beginning it was difficult for me to get used to French again because the football terminology in this language was completely new to me But I learned there that it doesn’t matter if we don’t speak the same language because football itself is a language that unites us all,” explains Sofia Sofia has been able to share training sessions with players from top clubs such as Anderlecht and Standard Liege allowing her to grow as a footballer and as a person language and environment of her home country it makes her understand the importance of football as a sport that integrates different nationalities it accelerates the learning process in different contexts ways of playing and adapting to different profiles and positions on the pitch,’ explains her father Manuel Irún Sofía highlights the difference in play between the two countries: ‘”n Spain the game is more technical we try to build the game from the back to the opposition goal with more emphasis on the individual play of each player the coaching staff focuses more on improving our individual skills.” with an intensive training camp in Belgium at the end of February and the possibility of progressing further in the programme to become part of the Belgium U15 national team Sofia has a bright and exciting future ahead of her Sofia’s path is also marked by the unconditional support of her father “I transmit to her the importance of effort I always advise her to think about how to make her teammates better both on and off the pitch,” says Manuel And he adds: “The best advice she always receives at home is to be herself and to take advantage of opportunities to continue learning respecting those who teach her and always showing interest.” Nosotros y nuestros socios almacenamos o accedemos a información en un dispositivo tales como identificadores únicos e información estándar enviada por un dispositivo medición de anuncios y del contenido e información sobre el público así como para desarrollar y mejorar productos nosotros y nuestros socios podemos utilizar datos de localización geográfica precisa e identificación mediante las características de dispositivos Puede hacer clic para otorgarnos su consentimiento a nosotros y a nuestros socios para que llevemos a cabo el procesamiento previamente descrito puede acceder a información más detallada y cambiar sus preferencias antes de otorgar o negar su consentimiento Tenga en cuenta que algún procesamiento de sus datos personales puede no requerir de su consentimiento pero usted tiene el derecho de rechazar tal procesamiento Sus preferencias se aplicarán solo a este sitio web Puede cambiar sus preferencias en cualquier momento entrando de nuevo en este sitio web o visitando nuestra política de privacidad A special pack including Inmersión Villarreal (museum & tour) and a set menu at Corner Sports Bar del Poble Villarreal CF’s interactive Museum & Tour experience You can visit the Submarine’s immersive museum and complete a guided tour of the Estadio de la Cerámica €12 – season-ticket holders and ‘Soc Groguet’ fan-card holders €8 – season-ticket holders and ‘Soc Groguet’ fan-card holders aged six to 12 Young children can celebrate their birthday at the Estadio de la Cerámica crèche Celebrate your birthday at the Estadio de la Cerámica enjoying Inmersión Villarreal and Corner Sports Bar Participants will be able to visit an exclusive area where Villarreal CF players leave the stadium on matchday and ask them for autographs and photographs An experience matchday experience that includes: €175 per person (match ticket not included) Please wait while you are redirected to the right page.. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences More information about our Cookie Policy I joined the school’s cross-country team primarily just excited to able to join a school team running once around the school’s not-even full sized-soccer field The first school race was the Georgetown Optimist Race My mom would have me run outside of the school “practices,” to make sure I had proper training at home in the morning before it got hot or in the evening once I got home from school My mom had a 3km loop planned around the block would ride her bike beside me and time my kilometres That September I placed 9th overall in the Georgetown Race which qualified me for the Halton District School Board distract race missing podium within the final stretch of the race I continued to train with my mom: running various distances and doing stride sprints at the park on my street My step dad also became very invested in helping me train and would take me to the high school track to pace me now in fourth grade and placed third overall I automatically qualified for districts and placed top 10 again I was scouted and hand-selected to join a competitive running team created by a running mentor with two daughters close to my age The first year the team consisted of eight girls who were also top placers for the school board The team ran various races throughout the year My dedication and discipline towards running continued from grade three to eight with the consistency of training from my run coach My determination and dedication continued to be shown placing amongst the top ten in all my races At the time I didn’t fully understand how much my family helped push me to be my best I will forever be grateful that they made me train it’s hard to comprehend how you need to work to make progress My parents and grandparents made my races and training a priority cheering me on and offering words of encouragement Unfortunately the time had come to choose between soccer and running competitively My other days consisted for working two part time jobs while being a full time student and coaching both Special Olympics Track and Field as well as Swimming I sadly said goodbye to soccer to focus on Post Secondary and struggled will all the extra freedom when it came to free time — and eating I gained over 100 pounds and had stopped all activities to focus on academics and working two jobs In the Summer of 2020 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis For me personally it meant really bad pain in my ovaries that would radiate into my back I had to undergo a surgical procedure to have all of the cysts burnt off with repeat procedures and a handful of medications I was at my heaviest weight I have ever been at I knew something had to done as I was throwing my life away I had became fed up with being told I was overweight the uncomfortable stares from across the room and being told I “couldn’t be a runner with a body like that.” and at the time it took my nearly an hour to “run” a 5km distance I was told that “being heavier was not good on my body and would be damaging my knees.” My legs would ache and my chest would feel tight I continued to push through and was starting to see my times improve and my confidence come back Two years later and my new parkrun 5km best is down to a sub 26 minutes The weight was falling off — until my next health setback in 2023 I was diagnosed with a rare blood sugar condition Running (and anything that makes me get my heart rate elevated) would immediately cause me to go into a dangerous low glucose level This made me even more committed to running and increasing inclusion advocacy As a staff member who works full-time in Special Education as well as having a younger sister who is on the Autism Spectrum I often see first hand how people and health care professionals doubt individuals based on their diagnosis/overall looks My sister and students are a huge motivation to keep moving forward with my running passion I became heavily involved in creating safe places for those with additional needs I now find happiness through coaching various Special Olympic lead activities volunteering over 100 times at parkrun and even running as a support para to a student at their local cross country race I decided to take on the biggest running challenge I could think of: the 2024 Boston Marathon I joined a local all women’s running group a group of empowering women with a love for running and strong friendships my family and incredible friends I was able to stay committed to my training and overall health I wanted to be able to convey and advocate that anyone — that everyone can be an athlete — which is what lead me to running for the perfect charity team I came across Special Olympics Massachusetts A diverse team of individuals taking on running 26.2 miles across Boston Xtramile allowed me to help build inclusion and representation through breaking down the barriers of society I was able to raise over $10,000 American dollars to help increase inclusive representation through various adaptive sports My wonderful students from the STC class I support all signed my shoes and gave words of encouragement My sister also signed her shoes that I raced Boston in The Boston Marathon will forever be one of my fall-time favourite days Not a day has gone by where I haven’t spoken about it Despite tearing my MCL 5 miles into the race it was an incredible experience that I will forever cherish I plan to return to Boston again stronger then ever for the 130th Boston Marathon in 2026 with the Xtramile team and raise even more funds for inclusion I am already brainstorming ways to fundraise to help give more athletes access to assessable and modified sports To stay up to date with my promise to keep advocating for all Instagram will provide my direct updates @runningwithmacey inspiring and educating runners through print iRun may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of iRun LLC This collaboration aims to equip Team SportPlus athletes with top-tier footwear and apparel enhancing their performance in the upcoming 2025 racing season.​ PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SGiRun Singapore has established itself as a go-to destination for runners offering products from leading brands such as Nike iRun provides convenient access to a wide selection of running essentials PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SGTeam SportPlus known for its dynamic blend of elite athletes and sports content creators has been making waves in the endurance sports scene The team's recent unveiling of their vibrant new training kit a departure from traditional corporate colors reflects their commitment to embracing both high-performance and everyday athletes PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SGThis partnership with iRun Singapore is set to provide Team SportPlus members with personalised gear fittings ensuring that athletes receive footwear and apparel tailored to their specific needs By leveraging iRun's expertise and comprehensive product range the team aims to optimise their performance and comfort during training and competitions.​ PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SGJohn Yeong expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration "Partnering with iRun Singapore allows us to provide our athletes with access to the best running gear available This support is invaluable as we prepare for a demanding season ahead."​ this alliance underscores a shared dedication to fostering athletic excellence within Singapore's running and multi-sport community PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG#TeamSportPlus #iRunSingapore Early morning Basque sunshine is threatening to break through Take the first turning off the main road and you will come across Real Union’s bar gentle music is playing as a couple of locals enjoy a coffee The artificial pitch used for training is opposite and Real Union’s first-team players have started to trickle out for today’s session.  where Aston Villa manager Unai Emery’s footballing foundations were formed a sovereign community of just over 60,000 in the Basque Country about a 25-minute drive east of San Sebastian and four kilometres from Emery’s family home in Hondarribia The Athletic is visiting on the weekend Emery guided Villa into the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace next month to add to their two-leg Champions League quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain This is all a world away from the footballing company Emery If you sit high enough up in the ground’s largest stand you can see buildings that sit on French soil a short distance away to the left and just over the Bidasoa River which runs past the stadium and serves as a natural border between the two countries its waters flowing between and around three small uninhabited islands in midstream To your right and behind the opposite goal 1924 and 1927 — the years this club won the Copa del Rey “The reason we are here is because of those years,” Real Union president Igor Emery the siblings acquired a controlling stake in this Spanish third-division side “We have family in the history of the club because I was born in 1980 and even my brother but we know all about what he did at the club because of all the things he told me and my three brothers “We would come and watch Real Union all the time I used to play for the academy when I was 13 and started as a goalkeeper The four Copa del Rey trophies are now proudly displayed in the conference room where we’re sitting including keeping a clean sheet against Real Madrid his greatest moment across 110 appearances Antonio’s brother Roman had featured in the 1918 win against Madrid FC who became Real Madrid a couple of years later the Emery name was central in three of the four trophy wins within 14 years.  another of the four brothers along with Igor has been the chief groundsman here for the past two years “This project can personally be made for us and our family,” Igor says “We are working together to get the club right and to go higher (in the Spanish league system) We are still in a position where Real Union shouldn’t be “Unai and I started talking about taking over because our other two brothers are not so involved in football and because we would always speak about how Real Union were doing just as Unai left Arsenal and being in the pandemic everything accelerated in us buying the club.” Unai and Igor spoke to the previous owners and Ricardo Garcia who served as president for two decades and had turned the club into a public limited sports company having gained knowledge of the inner workings of a football operation from accompanying Unai when he managed Paris Saint-Germain and later Arsenal we were not talking about me being the president,” he says “We were talking about trying to help effectively but how to solve them when you are inside is not the same as when you are outside or in the stands.” the Emerys have restored stability off the field While staving off relegation from the third division is the short-term priority long-standing staff say the family’s support has transformed the club with wages unpaid and their stadium ageing rapidly professionalism has increased and unsurprisingly due to the association of a certain Emery brother the club have been incorporated into V Sports the group which owns Villa as part of its multi-club model the seats were white and full of rubbish,” says Ricardo Costa a player at Real Union for seven years and now their goalkeeping coach for the past 19 We had a lot of problems with money and getting paid He is tasked with shaking Real Union out of the deep-rooted malaise and taking them back towards those former glories Along with fellow Basque sides Athletic Club and Real Sociedad Real Union was among La Liga’s founding members in 1929 Founded in 1915 after two breakaway teams (Irun Sporting Club and Racing Club de Irun) were knitted together — which owed to the mediation of Alfonso XIII the King of Spain and hence the name “Union” — the early years were plentiful Those four Copa del Rey triumphs ensued between 1913 to 1927 (the first of them won by Racing Club de Irun) The club’s peak years mainly lay in the early part of the 20th century and have firmly stayed in the past Real Union suffered relegation from Spain’s top division in 1932 and have never been back “Irun doesn’t have the economic potential of other major cities the character here is quite humble and simple If you add the fact that the average age of our fans is quite high then the truth is that we don’t make as much noise as we should “We have been fighting to revive old glory we achieved our last promotion to the second division in a season that was also historic — we eliminated Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey (on away goals after the two-leg tie finished 6-6 on aggregate) we couldn’t maintain our status and fell back into hell.” Hondarribia to the north is busier and more aesthetic boasting a coastline that looks across the river estuary towards France and historic stoned buildings.  the Gal Stadium is an unusual hive of activity The first team are playing later against FC Andorra — this season’s first Friday home game — and will welcome the visitors’ owner and president Gerard Pique the former Barcelona and Spain defender who helped the national team win the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship two years later commercial partners are converging in the hours before They are shown around the stadium and Igor gives a speech pitchside at the tour’s conclusion Unai Macias Fernandez is Real Union’s head of communications but in truth Matchday duties include writing for the website “What you don’t get at most places are those incredible mountains,” he says The right-back from the second team works at the club there are three or four people (running things) only me in communication and another person helps in marketing.” Gal Stadium was built in 1926 and has had small cosmetic uplifts since to reach a 5,500 capacity Its name derives from the generosity of local businessman Salvador Echeandia Gal who gifted 313,000 pesetas (£1,580 in today’s money) to buy this plot of land beside the river The stadium’s inauguration was marked with a match against Barcelona.  Graffitied walls surround the artificial training pitch the first team are getting their session in during the morning before retiring in the afternoon for a siesta “Here is where the academy trains,” Macias Fernandez says “They train as young as 12 and we now have lots of teams.” in volume and the quality of players,” adds Mikel Bengoa “We’re improving training methods at grassroots level.” Senior figures are bustling around the stadium going out of their way to introduce themselves breaking away from his usual tradition of a coffee every morning.  There are several cogs to the overall machine but no part is more influential than the Emerys though yet to materialise on the pitch (Real Union are 15th in a 20-team league) son and father of goalkeepers,” says Costa You can imagine the importance that Real Union has always had in his family The four brothers have absorbed Unionism in their home since they were children I sincerely believe they’ve let their feelings guide them to buy us — with their hearts more than their heads I’m sure their grandfather and father would be proud.” “The Emery family’s first objective when they bought Real Union was to provide financial social and institutional stability so that it wouldn’t disappear,” says Bengoa they aimed to honour the families who made Real Union great in the past.” The family’s synergy with Real Union is unequivocal starting locally in Hondarribia before joining Real Sociedad I have a certain sense of responsibility with my father and grandfather I have that responsibility towards my land,” the Villa manager said after taking ownership of the club What we have to do is recover that feeling in Irun it would be for Real Union to be in the first division I want to ensure Real Union also has its place It has just reached midday and two men are out on the pitch a lawyer and trusted confidante of the Emerys The Emerys are fiercely proud of where they were raised “Born in Hondarribia” is the first sentence on Unai’s Instagram bio and he was close to tears when he received the town’s “gold badge” from the local council in November 2022 to commemorate his achievements in management Dancers dressed in traditional green and white colours welcomed him into a packed town hall who made a speech — watched him collect the honour.  Unai Emery owns all of these characteristics,” said mayor Tom Sagarzazu A post shared by HONDARRIBIKO UDALA (@hondarribiko_udala) societal themes had to be considered when returning to Real Union Many supporters — “Unionistas” — had lost faith “The fans were not coming anymore,” says Igor “The club had a debt with nearly everybody here and they were not taking care of the academy The biggest value of this club is our four cups yet they were behind a cupboard with other smaller ones “You can try to bring good players with a lot of money but sports is different They invested a lot of money but the results weren’t coming It changed when Unai came because they changed the way they are working.” If Villa’s manager can only have a slight focus on Real Union at the moment,  then it does little to ease the tension of him watching their matches from his house in Birmingham when the schedule allows He is in continual communication with Igor and head coach Albert Carbo who took over in December after being part of his backroom team at Villa last season The 34-year-old draws on Emery’s expertise on footballing matters “He is 200 per cent focused on Aston Villa but will have attention on Real Union when he can,” Igor says “Tonight he will watch the game and yesterday he was telling me that he was nervous Emery’s presence across both clubs naturally lent itself to a more formal partnership between Aston Villa and Real Union the latter came under the V Sports umbrella The idea was for a cross-pollination of ideas where Villa players could be loaned to Real Union coaches would join them and the general setup would be enhanced through Villa’s data and methodology “Villa staff often come to Irun to monitor the players we’ve loaned,” says Costa “The relationship is very fluid and enriches us We exchange reports and share work methodologies and databases including travelling to Egypt and meeting ZED FC staff; players from Vissel Kobe a top-flight Japanese side Villa collaborate with the aim was to bring talent here and to develop them for their return to Villa.” “Unai comes out a few times a year,” adds James Wright a 20-year-old goalkeeper on a season-long loan to Real Union and one of four Villa players to have made such a move in the past two years “I have weekly meetings with the goalkeeper coach (back at Villa When time goes on and you start to learn what people are saying you do feel pride that you made the move.” Real Unions’ shareholders ratified an agreement that saw V Sports turn their working partnership into a financial one Board members approved a capital increase of €4.5million in exchange for V Sports having a 25 per cent stake.  we can be in the Spanish market and French market,” Igor says “It’s a way for V Sports and us to have control of a lot of players “My goal is to go into the professional league — La Liga 2 or La Liga and then the second ambition is to be promoted.” V Sports co-owner Wes Edens visited Gal Stadium in February and was pictured with Igor holding Real Union’s away shirt the claret and blue pallet is in homage to Villa’s home kit On Saturday Wes Edens was watching our game at Stadium Gal. Thank you for your visit and support! pic.twitter.com/eohpLuWuNX — Real Unión Club Irun (@REALUNIONCIRUN) February 24, 2025 “We would like to explore our partnership with Villa more,” Igor admits “We agreed to change the away kit to engage Villa supporters We knew it was going to be appreciated and we also got Adidas because of their partnership with Villa (fellow co-owner Nassef Sawiris owns a six per cent stake in the sportswear giant Real Union are recapturing local supporters while adding more from hundreds of miles away in the English Midlands the squad spent a week at The Belfry hotel and golf resort which is less than a mile from Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training centre They used the Premier League club’s facilities before getting a tour of Villa Park and playing a friendly match against League Two side Barrow Staff were pleasantly surprised to see their Villa-inspired shirts among the crowd that day “We are very grateful for the partnership and it gives us more opportunity to sell more shirts,” Igor says Dusk has turned to darkness and the other side of the French border is no longer visible The attendance for the FC Andorra match is lower than the average of about 1,000 due to the change in fixture date to a Friday evening Real Union do not have the fizz in their passing to break lines or sufficient precision from cutback crosses as the rain showers start towards the end of the game the point from a goalless draw is an important one against their sixth-placed visitors “Having the support of a club as great as Aston Villa gives us a sense of security that allows us to work with peace of mind,” says Costa “Now a new capital increase has been approved we’re going to have a significant financial boost Our feelings about the future are unbeatable.” Jacob is a football reporter covering Aston Villa for The Athletic. Previously, he followed Southampton FC for The Athletic after spending three years writing about south coast football, working as a sports journalist for Reach PLC. In 2021, he was awarded the Football Writers' Association Student Football Writer of the Year. Follow Jacob on Twitter @J_Tanswell Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The EHF European League Men 2024/25 main round has reached its halfway point Tuesday with both German teams in group III winning. After splitting the points last week THW Kiel and MT Melsungen claimed their first victories in the main round: Kiel comfortably defeated FC Porto 32:22 while Melsungen beat Vojvodina 36:29 as the two German sides keep sharing the lead Limoges Handball threw the race to the top spot in group II wide open by coming from behind to edge out group leaders Bidasoa Irun 32:31 with the deciding goal only to be scored after the final buzzer Maxime Ogando scored a penalty after the visitors had defended inside the goal area on Limoges' final attack THW Kiel (GER) vs FC Porto (POR) 32:22 (14:12) the home side pulled in front by one goal time after time but Porto drew level with the same regularity they used a 4:0 run to create an 11:6 lead The German side's goalkeeper Tomas Mrkva recorded 10 saves in the first half but Porto did not give up and cut the deficit to two goals again at half-time Kiel looked very determined after the restart Propelled by his saves and Hendrik Pekeler's goals the hosts enjoyed a 7:0 run between the 35th and 43rd minutes Elias Ellefsen á Skipagøtu became Kiel's top scorer with six goals while Mrkva ended the game with 17 saves and a 44 per cent save rate Limoges Handball (FRA) vs Bidasoa Irun (ESP) 32:31 (15:17)Vojvodina (SRB) vs MT Melsungen (GER) 29:36 (17:18) photos main & in-text: Sascha Klahn; gallery: as stated FEATURE: Latvian right back to play with Melsungen at Maschinensucher EHF Finals in Hamburg QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: EHF European League Men play-off winners host main round group winners in first leg on Tuesday night DAY REVIEW 2: THW take big 35:24 win to go straight to the quarter-finals; Porto win their decisive game at Vojvodina DAY REVIEW 2: Wins on Tuesday confirm the Spanish and the French side as the winners of their respective main round group You’ll find detailed maps in the race kit and online lots of space so there’s little to no bottlenecking or lines for anything—for someone like me with little sense of direction I was able to easily find everything from the efficiently run bag check and my corral to the “runner reunite” area There are plenty of porta-potties at the start area and also a number of places near the start line where you can hang out inside to keep warm (I waited in the lobby of the Westin where there was no line for the women’s washroom and then even found a spot to sit and relax before the start time). Score Detroit is an underdog and the people here are hardworking and proud and there’s something to this toughness that’s inspiring—you want to fight harder for that PB but it’s on the rise; last year it’s population grew for the first time since 1957 and there’s a lot of development taking place including a revitalized waterfront and the opening of Michigan Central (an abandoned historic train station that’s been transformed into an innovation hub for events The Motor City exudes a resilient attitude that’ll motivate you.  There are spots where you’ll find lots of spectators (at the finish line as expected there are spectators scattered along pretty much the whole route even at some of the more industrial areas at the beginning of the race and on the tree-lined residential streets They’re an enthusiastic bunch–lots of cheering and funny signs There were lots of volunteers at the hydration stations ready to hand you a cup and share some words of encouragement I have never run a race where spectators and volunteers cheered me on by name as much as I have this marathon and I appreciated it every single time There are even stations where you can grab a beer a pickle shot and other snacks like pretzels and gummy candy This Ambassador Bridge doesn’t normally allow pedestrians so you get this unique opportunity to go on foot over this bridge at sunrise—it makes for a magical view at the beginning of the race This is one of the few races during which you run into another country and there are lots of smiling agents at the border high-fiving you you run the Underwater Mile through the tunnel (be aware it can get a bit hot and stuffy in the tunnel) and it’s fun to see the border line for Canada and the U.S in the tunnel (some runners stop here for a photo opp) Tip: If you use an eSim rather than “roam like home” for your smartphone you likely will have to change your settings for race day I decided to switch on my usual cellular network and also turned on data switching (given that the route does bring you into Canada) so that I would have uninterrupted service for the entire race when you exit the tunnel and a short incline at the end of the Dequindre Cut the Detroit Marathon has been on lists as amongst one of the fastest routes in the U.S. with an elevation gain of 67 metres and elevation loss of 67 metres too; there are also a few parts of the route that take you on tree-lined residential streets—with the leaves turning colours The time of year also means there’s a decent chance you’ll have good weather for the race it was about 6 Celsius when the race started at 7 a.m. and it warmed up to a pleasant 18 degrees or so by the time I crossed the finish line The medal and finisher t-shirt are pretty cool I typically don’t find medals or race t-shirts all that special, but the Detroit Marathon seems to often have great ones. This year’s long-sleeve t-shirt has a fun graphic of the bridge on the back and the medal is a nice weight and features Canada on half of the ribbon with the U.S I have seen some runners disappointed that the medal is almost identical to the ones from 2023) Conde Nast Traveler named Detroit as one of the best places to go in North America in 2024 and if you’ve never been to the D you’ll quickly discover there’s plenty to enjoy while in the Motor City Where to stay: The Godfrey Detroit takes you just outside of the downtown core to Corktown, a charming historic neighbourhood with cobblestone streets (plus directly across the street is Ottavia Via restaurant perfect for some pasta pre-race if you can snag a table) The modern rooms are spacious with comfortable beds and C.O relaxing post-race watching the big-screen TVs has been named the most beautifully designed bar in Michigan and its intimate atmosphere is perfect for toasting your race over inventive craft cocktails Stan Wakeman died at 79-years-old in October and there was nothing he liked more than cheering for runners at Around the Bay Blasting We Will Rock You by Queen before the legendary ATB hill at Spring Gardens Road would high-five runners when we needed it most.  “He wasn’t there for the people who win the race—those people would fly by and didn’t acknowledge Stan—but the runners out there to challenge themselves who needed something extra those were Stan’s people,” says Jim Watson who’d bring his buddy coffee and sandwiches as he spent hour after hour in the cold and rain supporting runners who needed it in his hometown “He loved the runners and everything about the sport—it brought him joy to be part of everyone’s day.”  Wakeman was a retired accountant when he began cheering at Around the Bay and he’d been in a wheelchair as a result of his lifelong dwarfism since 2012 Something about Stan that’s important to mention: he never saw himself as “disabled.” In fact he only put a handicapped sticker on his licensed plate when he began volunteering to drive seniors to the grocery store and their medical appointments.  “He liked to do things on his own,” says Ruth Watson who plans on commemorating her friend at Around the Bay on March 30 by waving Stan’s McMaster scarf at his perch in his honour Ruth shares this great story about Stan: “One time Jim and I called and asked if he was home and he said I’m just rolling in,’ which we figured meant he was driving home he was literally rolling on the ground into his front door from his driveway That’s how determined he was.”   Determination is at the core of any runner’s journey Stan Wakeman exemplified all of these characteristics a high five from his wheelchair as we used our bodies in ways that he never could—was selfless inspiring and a good reminder in a strange time that human beings contain massive hearts “Runners needing something extra would run over to Stan and hug him and he would smile from ear to ear,” says Margaret Obermeyer “He just wanted runners to enjoy themselves and I’ll always remember him and remember our hugs.”  but I distinctly remember him and remember high-fiving him and being moved by his spirit and generosity the Hamilton Spectator asked Stan what it was about cheering for runners that he loved.  “I do it because the runners appreciate it,” Wakeman said. “But I get more out of it than they do People come through clapping and pumping their fists when they hear the music Some people have given me gift certificates because they’ve been seeing me there for years.” May his spirit travel with us all wherever we run and website in this browser for the next time I comment The achievements of women in competitive long distance running precedes the 1987 proclamation of the National Day for Girls and Women in Sport and Kathrine Switzer breaking rules and entering races available only to men.  Women like the late Greta Waitz and Silvia Ruegger would then do the ‘unimaginable’ by running sub-two and half hour marathons.  Did they need justification from a proclamation to start racing?  No they started with believing in themselves.  Did they have doubts It’s amazing when you start to believe in yourself.  Girls and women in Canada are discovering the benefits of running and beyond: You can strive to be the best version of yourself Manitoba: “When I got diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2022 I leaned into running.”  physical well-being and overall quality of life I’ve always loved the freedom that I get to explore new places by running I started running in my 20s to improve my mental health but when I got diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2022 I leaned into running even more when my body was strong enough to run after chemotherapy and radiation.  I started running when I was 23-years-old when I lived in Montreal I became more serious about running in 2014 when I was diagnosed with PTSD after a traumatic event in my life and used running as a form of therapy.  The best experience I had at a race was running a half marathon pregnant I wore a car decal that said: Baby-on-Board It was a great experience connecting with fellow runners and chatting about pregnancy I completed the Hot Chocolate Hustle with the Manitoba Marathon I will sign up for all their incredible races in 2025 The next race I will run is in April called Fast & Furry Follow Shannon on Instagram @LivingwithShannon When you run you feel immediate accomplishment…Quinn Foulkes Nova Scotia,“When you’re finally done your long run of the week or your last run before a race and you can see and feel all that hard work pay off.” One of the major reasons I run is for that glorious feeling of accomplishment afterwards When you’re finally done your long run of the week or your last run before a race and you can see and feel all that hard work pay off.  I started running in 2023 as a form of weight loss I ran my first half marathon in May and my first full marathon in October  It taught me so much about myself and how strong and capable I am that rugby will make you stronger mentally and physically When I ran my first half marathon in May 2024 I ran the entire 21.1km without having to stop or walk Experiencing that feeling was something I will carry with me in all of my races.  I would love to see more booths at races or kit pickups that are targeted to women in running with information about opportunities and helpful advice for women in running.  to start the year off I am running the Night Owl 5KM in March I am running the Purple Cow 5KM and GoodLife Fitness 10KM at the Emera Blue Nose Marathon I am running the Ottawa International Marathon Quinn’s social media channels on Instagram: @quinnfoulkes and @fabfitrunning  When running challenge conventional wisdom…Gunjan Marwah Nichani Ontario: “Running is what makes me feel the most free and aware of my own body.” It may be surrounded by my community and friends from We Run North York but it’s the one thing I feel like I am entirely making the choice to do Running is what makes me feel the most free and aware of my own body I have discovered so much of what I am capable of thanks to running.  I played basketball and quit after ten years because I couldn’t keep up on the court and still getting questions from people about how I kept running until I was twenty-eight weeks pregnant but I know I ran three half marathons over the course of those two trimesters Prem and I took our COVID-delayed honeymoon in August in Portugal and Spain he was well ahead of me and I was gasping for air far behind so I was in shock why this kept on happening when he didn’t exercise at all So—purely out of spite—I decided I needed to build up my stamina as he had been trying to get me to do for years I decided to finally give it a shot with a Couch to 5K program The motivation to keep going after that came from my run club and its immensely supportive members and leaders It was inspiring to watch others’ journeys and see people from all sorts of backgrounds and age groups coming together over one common sport and I was quite good at it…until I wasn’t since everybody became faster and taller and I was lagging behind I am proud of the fact that in middle school I was the only seventh grade on the eighth grade team!  At the 2022 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon I was part of We Run North York’s cheer station some 500 meters or so from the marathon finish line so watching runners from all walks of life passing us by The energy of the people around me pushed me to cheer even louder for all these runners I didn’t even know I was holding a sign that said: “500 meters to finish!” One lady who was walking and visibly struggling looked me right in the eyes and asked Is that true?” I confirmed it and urged her on She broke into a tired sprint and I started to cry.  Watching runners see that sign and switch to a sprint I realized I wanted to feel that adrenaline too And so I decided at that moment to run the Toronto Half Marathon in May 2023.  Postpartum running is a topic very close to my heart right now as I am gearing up to get back to running One of the biggest black holes I had in trying to figure out whether or not I’m physically ready has been identifying what that actually looks like The inverse question lingered in my mind through my pregnancy also: when can I run until Many others who have been through this journey simply told me “You’ll just know.” Even my various health practitioners couldn’t give me a solid answer But I’m someone who looks for guidance I was confident when I told the questioning minds of my aunts and uncles that it was safe for me to run while I was pregnant but I didn’t have any real data to back me up.  I believe dedicated research on all aspects of running and pregnancy and postpartum is lacking There are occasionally spaces for conversation on these topics but they are largely experience-based and if there is one thing that is drilled into the heads of runners and women alike So how can I compare to this person telling their story on a stage when our lives and bodies are not the same It’s mind-boggling to me how much data there is on the intricacies of shoe designs but so little on this topic.  So far I am going to be walking (hopefully run-walking) Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause and fingers-crossed running Sporting Life 10K The goal is to train for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon again and set a PR this time Since I was supposed to run the Chicago Marathon as my first full in 2024 but took advantage of the pregnancy deferral until (likely) 2026 this game plan will give me the time to rebuild while also challenging me to get ready for a whole new challenge next year.  Follow Gunjan here: @gunjan_marwah When running inspires the next generation…Angelika and Sophia Cerjanec Ontario: “I want to win a gold medal for Canada at the Special Olympics World Games.” I started running in 2019 as a way to get healthy and stay active Sophia joined me that September for her first 5K—a month before her 7th birthday—because she liked the finisher medals I was bringing home and wanted one of her own She ended up placing second in her age group and wanted to win more The following month we did the TO Women’s Run Hearing the stories from families about POGO motivated us to sign up again Sophia runs for the Halton Hills Special Olympics track team and is headed to the Provincial Games this July Sophia needed physical and occupational therapy to help her with walking and other gross and fine motor skills Though she still faces difficulty with everyday tasks “I want to win a gold medal for Canada at the Special Olympics World Games,” Sophia says.  Although I’ve branched out to the world of trail races with 5 Peaks we will set the pace at the Puma Toronto Women’s Run—Sophia’s sixteenth race with the series You can find Angelika here: @angelikakrzcer When running is inspired by a sibling…Sabrina Heung “the first cross country race of the season I came in 1st and I made it to the finals!” inspired by my older sister who was on the cross country team at school I saw her running around the school with all the other kids and I thought it looked fun Although the team was only open to first graders and above So far my best running experience was from 2 years ago when I was in grade 5.  I ran cross-country at school but I didn’t make the city finals I was disappointed in myself for not training harder so during the summer leading up to the next cross country season I joined group runs with my dad and sister and put more effort into training In the first cross country race of the season I came in 1st and I made it to the finals That was my best experience because I had a goal and I worked towards it.  I also participate in track and soccer at school.   I am registered for the Sporting Life 10k in May and I will probably continue doing trail races with Don’t Mess With The Don and the Toronto Trail Runners When running keeps your competitive…Charlotte Heung “Running is also something that anyone can continue throughout their life.” I started running cross country in grade one at school It was fun and when I started playing competitive hockey later on my coach wanted us to keep running up to cross train I stopped playing competitive hockey just a few years ago but running is something that I’ve been able to keep on doing and plan on continuing I also started signing up for races and running with run clubs which I really enjoy because it’s very social and a great way to connect and meet new people which was a super fun and great experience for me The race was great too because I did a lot better than I could have ever imagined since you never really know how far you can go I raced cross country but missed out on OFSAA although I am hoping to make it to next year’s OFSAA I also joined the field hockey team in the fall which was really fun because I had never played field hockey before This spring I plan on joining the track team and the soccer team Joining sports teams at school is a great way to get involved with sports and try new things Running is also something that anyone can continue throughout their life I am signed up for the Sporting Life 10k and hope to race more road and trail races this year When running brings out the best in you…Caroline Pomerleau Quebec: “Talking more about women’s sports is crucial to inspiring young girls.” Running makes me feel strong and in my element I enjoy pushing my limits while still having fun It allows me to set goals for myself and grow as a person Running has also given me the chance to meet an amazing community of runners where we all support and encourage each other in a positive way My first official race was in 6th Grade during my school’s cross-country event and was part of the track and cross-country teams I played competitive soccer until I was 21 then decided to focus more on running while still enjoying other physical activities for fun The best experience I’ve ever had in a race was undoubtedly my victory at the Canadian Marathon Championship in Toronto during my very first marathon in 2023 I started the race without any big expectations not knowing what my body and mind would be capable of I felt amazing and was able to maintain a pace I never thought possible Having my friends and family there made the experience even more memorable—especially seeing my wife you won!” That moment will forever be etched in my memory I truly believe it’s important to share the stories of inspiring women even if they don’t run as fast as elite men Talking more about women’s sports is crucial to inspiring young girls to be active and follow their dreams so I hope to get back into running quickly and compete in a marathon this fall I’m fully aware that childbirth can bring unexpected challenges so I plan to listen to my body and take my time in the recovery process to come back even stronger Find Caroline on Instagram here: @caro.pomme When running is a lifestyle…Bridget King Ontario – “I could not imagine my life now without running!” I have met an amazing community of friends through running and I love the mental and physical benefits running brings I could not imagine my life now without running!  I did not enjoy running and certainly never considered myself a runner I was looking for an outlet to stay in shape and take care of both my mental and physical health I signed up for my first 10km race as a challenge in 2018 I have completed 7 half marathons and 3 full marathons and I now co-lead a local run club My most memorable race experience was running the Chicago Marathon this past year I ran alongside 40+ of my We Run North York teammates and we had the best time and I managed to record a personal best!  Starting running programs in schools early is a great way to get females more engaged in running and participating early on and I would love to see more females get involved especially in some of the longer race distances It’s been great to see races becoming more accessible to all I am running my first Ultra-Marathon this April South Africa – the world’s most beautiful marathon I’ll also be running many great races this year including the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend UA Toronto 10k and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon to name a few.  Bridget can be found on Instagram here: @king.ontherun When running conquers the darkness…Nancy Wells – Ontario “The remedy was running first thing in the morning changed all that for me.” I started running when I was in my late 30’s (currently I am 78) while I was on a trip around the world all guys who were going for a run on the beach the next day They said they were going for a mile and that it would probably be too hot for me I did it anyway and when they finished they all dropped to the sand and I was still standing there!  When I got back to Canada I joined a run club and haven’t stopped running since I didn’t do any particular sports in school at all so discovering running was wonderful and I continue to run because I love it.  Running has helped me so much mentally and physically I have always suffered somewhat from depression..I would wake up feeling “black” even if I was going on holiday I didn’t tell anyone about it as I knew I had a great upbringing and loving family In those days there was not much understanding of this The remedy was running first thing in the morning changed all that for me On the physical side: I love cooking and eating Since I started running my eating has  become more nutritious but am still able to enjoy great meals and keep my weight at a good level In the past year I set 2 Canadian records for my age group I hope to set the 5 mile record in the spring at the Cinco de Miler in Chicago When running brings you closer to yourself…Lorna Chrysler Ontario “When I started running at the age of 33 and I was going through an identity crisis.” is a Mohawk woman from Chippewa of the Thames First Nation.  I started running for her health since diabetes and heart disease run in my family it connects me to my identity as a native woman it connects me to Mother Earth and reminds me to be gentle with her and myself.  I was not athletic by any means in school and I absolutely hated running. When I started running at the age of 33 and I was going through an identity crisis The question of what I do for self care was asked and it didn’t know how to answer that My goal was to run 5km and register for my first race I joined Indigenous Running Club and Native Women Running and in that time I’ve run 6 marathons countless 5K races and half marathons all over Canada and North America.  My best experience was running Moccasin Running Canyon X Half Marathon in Page Arizona Running through the Canyons on the Navajo Nation was the most beautiful challenging and spiritually connected run I have ever completed Women have made huge strides in the running community women runners need advocates to promote safety and wellbeing on trails and paths I am registered to run 3 Half Marathons: Running Moccasin Canyon X Half Marathon Follow Lorna on Instagram here: @Sheran_Indigenously When running helps to conquer fear and anxiety…Bianca British Columbia “Female runners should feel safe and be able to focus on what they love without fear or anxiety.” Every milestone I reach reinforces that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to “That wasn’t bad – I should do that again!” The resilience and grit I’ve built through running have carried over into my career I went on my first run just over two years ago to recover from a night out It was rough—I had to stop after 2.5 km—but I was hooked and wanted to improve playing basketball and competing in track and field Crossing the finish line at the Royal Victoria Marathon three months ago was unforgettable overwhelmed with pride and disbelief that I had finished I really didn’t expect myself to be so emotional We need more action toward safety and security for female runners—ensuring well-lit accessible running trails with emergency call stations and CCTV and providing personal alarms and GPS tracking Female runners should feel safe and be able to focus on what they love without fear or anxiety.  I’m signed up for multiple races—two half marathons and the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October Find Bianca here on Instagram: @bianca.runs When running bring meaningful change…Jenna Grifo Quebec “Our goal was to create a safe space for women to learn how to run without any pressure I think one of the main reasons I started running was because I love sports I always get a rush from running and there’s no feeling quite like it A big part of this also has to do with managing anxiety and school stress Running has become a part of my lifestyle for health reasons racing against others or just achieving a new PB is a pretty important factor that has me hooked I made it to the GMAA championships that year I have continued to run for fun and for training I played volleyball competitively for about 8 years I played for my high school team Villa Maria and for an outside club and had the opportunity to compete at the provincial level multiple times I also played flag football every year of high school as well as that one year of track and field The best experience I had at a race was my first official half marathon in Lachine I was about 18km in and I had a bit of a down I was struggling to keep my pace and couldn’t imagine running another 3.1km I think there are definitely ways women can be better supported in running I believe that’s why we started FTG run club Our goal was to create a safe space for women to learn how to run without any pressure Some of the most frequent questions we get from women who want to join our club is “Am I good enough?” “Am I fast enough?” “Can I join if I am a beginner?” A lot of women are scared to join a run club especially when the majority of the club is made up of more seasoned male runners is what allows them to feel confident and join the running community They feel supported and there is a feeling of camaraderie amongst the runners that keeps them motivated and coming to the runs every week I am currently registered for my second half Iron Man in Tremblant I started racing as a triathlete last year and it was such a great experience I am looking forward to racing again this June and seeing how much I’ve approved a year later Jenna and FTG run club are on Instagram: @jenna.grifo and @ftgrunclub.mtl  When running is advocacy for safe spaces…Geneviève Gariépy Montreal “I’ve made it my goal to create a safe supportive space for runners of all ages and fitness levels.” Running is both a passion and a necessity for me It makes me feel alive and brings balance to my mental and physical health I feel energized and connected to myself when I run What I love most is running with my inclusive group where we focus on creating a welcoming space for runners of all levels I’ve found a way to connect with people and help them rediscover the joy of movement healthy community where everyone feels they belong One of the most rewarding moments with my group was seeing women in their sixties rediscover the joy of running Many of them hadn’t run for pleasure since childhood and watching their confidence grow with every step was deeply inspiring It’s moments like these that remind me why I do this work I started running ten years ago during a difficult period in my life and running felt accessible—you can do it anytime I’ve never regretted lacing up my shoes and going out for a run I’ve always loved outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing and I spent countless hours exploring nature This connection to the outdoors is still a big part of my life I’m happiest on the water in a canoe or running through the woods I’m training for a trail race in the Charlevoix region of Quebec—a dream come true for an outdoor enthusiast like me My best race experience was at the Ottawa 10K last year during Race Weekend The event featured pace bunnies who alternated between running and walking making the race feel welcoming for slower runners She confided that my presence and encouragement helped her finish I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be That experience solidified my purpose: to inspire as many people as possible to run in a way that’s progressive and adapted to their unique needs We can do so much more to support women of all sizes We need safe spaces and inclusive events where pace isn’t a barrier The so-called “social pace” of 6:30 per kilometer doesn’t reflect everyone’s reality Many people avoid movement because of negative past experiences with sports I want women to feel proud when they run—no matter the speed Simply getting out for a regular run is a victory in itself Creating open and caring communities is key and we focus on making running fun and accessible I’ve sometimes felt like an outsider because I’m a slow runner and use the run/walk approach I wish we could move away from the elitism that can sometimes overshadow running events While competition and podiums are important and I admire great athletes like my friend Joelle White I believe every victory deserves to be celebrated—from first to last place I’ll start the season with the 5K at the Montreal 21K I’ll be taking on my first half-marathon at the Laval Firefighters Race on June 12 I will participate in the 20K at the Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada I plan to close the season with a 5K run alongside my group as it represents the heart of what we do: fostering connection I can’t wait to experience each of these events You can find Genevieve and Les Pas en Forme on Instagram here: @jevi006 and @pas.enforme When running is recognition for your effort…Joelle White Montreal “I believe we need to continue the conversation about gender equality in sports to emphasize that our performances and our health matter just as much as men’s.” Outdoor activities and simply moving have always been encouraged by my parents I always had a certain energy in me and loved climbing everywhere and running around the living room table to upbeat music I wasn’t what you would call a great athlete but I practiced various activities during my childhood it was clear that I was more drawn to individual sports rather than team sports I’d say I started running just for the sake of running towards the end of high school when I was in a classical music program and had very little time for physical activity My need to expend energy hadn’t disappeared after elementary school I used running as a personal challenge for a physical education class I set myself the goal of running continuously for an hour even though I had rarely run more than 30 minutes in one session before I had already started to notice that my endurance was quite good compared to those around me that I signed up for my first official race I had made a friend who had been running half-marathons for a few years and then I followed her to a 21K race in the United States and we finished side by side with an excellent time of 1h43 It was really after this first success that my development and dedication to running took off I ran my first marathon in Montreal in 3h38 I haven’t gone a year without running a marathon Not only have I reached a level I could never have imagined when I started running as a hobby but I also ended up testing all endurance distances from the 1500m on the track to cross-country I’ve built quite the résumé as a versatile runner “Why do I run?” While many people find it boring and repetitive I enjoy this activity where my whole body is working together I don’t think there’s a moment when I feel more alive than when I’m running the breathing—every system has to coordinate to propel the body forward It’s an exhilarating feeling to be floating above the ground using only my own body as a moving machine I ran to discover and push my limits; but since last year I’ve started running to live enriching experiences and I truly find so much joy in just running My best racing experience is probably my marathon PR of 2h54 with a negative split and an even faster time than expected that I was sure to reach my goal—and even surpass it—I had tears in my eyes and cried tears of joy while running at 3:50/km It was an incredible feeling of pride and achievement I had spent about five years chasing the dream of breaking 3 hours in the marathon and earning my place among the top marathoners in Quebec Just thinking about it now brings a smile to my face I believe that women are taking an increasingly significant place in the running world as more and more of them are lining up at race starts I still sometimes find myself thinking that my times are good “for a woman” but not that impressive compared to the men who finish in the top 50 or higher That means my brain is still conditioned to think that my performances are worth less because I’m a woman I believe we need to continue the conversation about gender equality in sports to emphasize that our performances and our health matter just as much as men’s It’s too easy to downplay ourselves because of our biological sex I hope this mindset changes and that all runners—men and women—can celebrate their personal achievements and those of others without comparing themselves based on gender I signed up for the famous Chicago Marathon but I had yet to participate in this other major U.S I’d love to attempt another sub-3-hour finish I’m already excited to run through the city and take part in another event of this magnitude Joelle is on Instagram here: @wonderwhitejoelle When running together creates community…Bridget Keroglidis Ontario “There’s something so special about the running community I run because I am a better person when I run Running has greatly improved my mental health helping me gain confidence by setting and accomplishing goals and helping me release the stress of a long day or week because of the incredibly supportive community I have found along the way I participated in elementary school Track and Field where we had to choose three running events and three field events—I purposely picked the shortest distances.  After that I challenged my partner to run a 10K with me Young me would have never imagined that I would run long distances Track and Field was pretty much the only sport I did in elementary school aside from a short season on the basketball team I loved spending the day outside at our school and area meets and I have great memories of running on the relay team and even competing at regional finals for triple jump I was much more involved in music and dance so I didn’t play any sports or run again until adulthood I’ve had so many incredible moments at races that it’s hard to narrow it down One that stands out is running the TCS New York City Marathon as part of Team TCS Teachers– just thinking about it brings a smile to my face The NYC crowds are amazing; it honestly feels like they’re personally invested in your success My face hurt from smiling so much (at least until I hit that Fifth Avenue climb) Some of my most vivid race memories are about support; the friends who jump in for a few meters to give you that final push toward the finish line or the chance to return that energy to others knowing exactly how much those words of encouragement meant There’s something so special about the running community racing has made great progress with changes to deferral policies and the growth of training programs and groups designed for women These safe spaces are so important in making running more accessible I want to model the importance of physical activity We know that many girls drop out of sports during puberty often due to societal pressures and barriers that discourage participation I feel fortunate to bring running programs like Team Unbreakable to my school which emphasize the connections between physical and mental health Discussions around mindset and body image are critical in helping students develop healthy habits and recognize their own potential are also instrumental in building support networks Women still face more obstacles when training There is still so much work to be done in this area an event to reclaim the route where she was assaulted during a training run More runs are now being planned to raise awareness and create change I have some big goals for this year and plan to have a lot of fun along the way I’m currently signed up to run Around the Bay 15K and the Spring Run-Off with friends and I’ll be running the Sporting Life 10K with my kids I’m also looking at Georgina to chase a goal that first felt within reach in 2022 but has yet to be realized an event I participate in every year with Chix Run the 6ix to support Red Door Family Shelter a local charity that helps families experiencing homelessness and women fleeing domestic violence Giving back to the community is important to me—I try to volunteer at a few local races each year and hope to do some pacing this year as well Races bring me so much joy and whether I am running or cheering I always leave feeling energized and inspired You can find Bridget here at: @bridget_bri.sustainable  When you run and embrace movement and wellness…Shana Goodridge “believes that females can be better supported in running through stronger community networks and resources that encourage participation at all levels.” Shana Goodridge began her running journey over a decade ago she was initially introduced to the sport by her work colleagues Though she was hesitant at first—worried about not being able to finish or finishing last—she eventually embraced running as a tool for both physical and mental well-being considering herself more academically inclined discovering running later in life transformed her perspective on fitness and community One of her most memorable race experiences was completing her first marathon at the Chicago Marathon and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment at the finish line made it an unforgettable milestone in her journey Shana is deeply invested in creating an inclusive running space She believes that females can be better supported in running through stronger community networks and resources that encourage participation at all levels This vision led her to found Pegcity Steppers in Winnipeg Canada—a group dedicated to inspiring new runners and walkers to embrace movement and wellness running isn’t just about races; it’s about building a community where everyone feels welcome to take their first step Shana’s Instagram handle: @keepitmovingwithshana But there is only one TCS New York City Marathon It’s hard to describe what makes the TCS New York City Marathon so unique Given the enthusiasm of the sideline supporters the event feels more fun than your typical race: the energy from the crowd makes it almost feel like a Macy’s Day Parade Each borough that you run through seems to want to give runners their best chance to succeed since the spectators are having so much fun it’s hard not to have fun alongside them so be prepared to get up early in New York I did not have a PB in mind and only wanted to run gracefully especially when you’re constantly tweaking what to wear I experienced so many early morning different emotions that by the time I made my way to the corral for the starting cannon the actual running bit after so much time in preparation comes as a relief Everyone in their life should be gifted the experience of racing through Brooklyn at the TCS New York City Marathon All I can say is I felt like Travis Kelce after the Super Bowl I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much during the marathon I also highly recommend running without music because the block parties and stoop jams provide such diverse soundtracks that it’s a shame not to soak everything in Queens is just a short bit of the race and then after going through a long bridge at mile 15 the race sort of starts at the back half when you enter Manhattan You’re in a tunnel for about 15 minutes and when you get out—at least when I ran on Sunday—the sun is shining and crowds are cheering and it’s like the darkness opens up to the promised land I cruised up First Avenue and all the way to the Bronx where Roughly I had the runner’s high for 80% of my race and the last twenty percent I think all racers would take that breakdown Keep pushing and hustling and trying not to fall too far off pace and slowly but surely—the miles keep ticking down until it suddenly happens all at once—now you’re on the perimeter of glowing Central Park and can feel the finish line vibes It’s deep and magical and when I’m asked why I run I could not pick up my pace as I closed in on the finish line I didn’t throw up my hands or scream or yell which wasn’t much after 42 kilometres but the wheels didn’t fall off and I made it through the chute and got a medal placed over my head The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and each of those events have their own distinguishing virtue is fast; Boston is like a marathoner’s Olympics because you have to qualify to get in is an opportunity to see the world in your race shoes and now Sidney just came onboard as an Abbott World Major and who doesn’t want to race Australia But New York is New York: a marathon that feels like a celebration a race with crowd support that everyone in life deserves but only us New York runners get to receive I’d run the TCS New York City Marathon once before Evan McKenzie Penny passed away from pneumonia compounded by his pre-existing mitochondrial disease on October 22 It was a devastating loss felt by running communities across the country So many people are familiar with Evan and father Blaine mother Sarah and younger sister Julia Penny having cheered on the family at many a race as they pushed young Evan in a running stroller because he was unable to walk The ripple of bright green Mito T-shirts became a constant defining image at races over the years at home and abroad.  It seemed like every year the charitable TeamMito running crew would dream up an even more creative and logistically complex Guinness World Record challenge to take on at the Calgary Marathon—the most runners (112) linked together to run a marathon Dave Proctor running 260.4 kilometres on a treadmill for 24 hours Megan and Rich MacDonald running the fastest marathon handcuffed together…  But no matter how complicated or physically demanding the feats were the Calgary runners embraced them wholeheartedly—for Evan Because there is not yet a cure for mitochondrial disease Running has always played a profound part in Blaine’s life and a way to relieve stress after Evan’s 2009 diagnosis of mitochondrial disease causing spastic quadriplegia Says Blaine: “If there’s one gift through all of this it’s been the running community every Sunday morning I’d get together with a few guys for a run Every Sunday morning was like our running church I’m sure those guys will never know how much that meant to me.”  And what an incredibly talented and hardworking runner Blaine is He’s travelled all over the world to compete in more than 75 ultramarathons and marathons His fastest marathon time is 2:27 in London in 2022 finishing 2nd in the Abbott World Age Group Championships Blaine is also a 3x Canadian Ultramarathon Champion and 6x Guinness World Record holder—all focused on raising awareness and funds for mitochondrial disease “Running will always be a place that I go to to think about Evan because it was such a big part of processing what happened to him—And here we are on the other side.”  we gathered on their street to join him on a run to the crematorium In attendance were We Run The World Coaching founder and elite runner Melissa Pauuwe and members close friend and Strides Running Store owner Jeremy Deere and many others who’ve become an integral part of Blaine and Sarah’s lives through the running community One runner who came to support the family was initially hesitant not being familiar with funeral rites in Canada since moving here from India But given the power of running to bring people together Extending the invitation to our We Run the World running group Blaine wrote: “I often run through the cemetery (near the crematorium) as part of my Confederation Park runs Running there reminds me of gratitude for the life I’ve been given and I think about the incredible lives lived by those who are buried there.” Blaine led us through his neighbourhood and along the undulating pathway through the park For a few minutes it seemed like any other run; everyone started their watches to log the run a few darted into the trees for an inconspicuous wee and there was the usual chatter about workouts Until we arrived five kilometres later at the crematorium and the why of our run hit us.  we were invited five at a time to enter the crematorium and write a message on Evan’s wooden coffin we inked our enduring love for this wonderful boy with the biggest smile who loved being outside and who loved having books read to him Evan touched so many people in so many ways While each person had their moment with Evan we sat in the pews holding each others’ hands and blinking away our tears When 87-year-old Calgary running legend Gerry Miller emerged from the room he was overcome with emotion we runners had only seen each other with smiles on our faces on runs or shedding tears of joy or disappointment after a race But we’d never seen each other in this situation paralyzed at seeing our fellow running champion in grief When Blaine came out of the room by himself after saying his goodbyes “We gotta keep running,” said our fearless leader As the Philadelphia Marathon approached a month after Evan’s passing Sarah and Blaine questioned whether they should still run it “Evan would have wanted us to and so I thought ‘I’m going to take that time and think about Evan It will be a really concentrated period of processing everything,’” says Blaine “I like to push myself but in that race I just wanted to go with the flow.”  Sarah and Blaine (for his sixth star) will both run the Tokyo Marathon in March Also on Blaine’s horizon are the Comrades Ultra in South Africa in June and the NYC World Age Group Champs in November.  On May 10, 2025, the Penny family invites you to join them for a special gathering to honour and celebrate Evan. This will be a fun and casual celebration of his life, filled with laughter, stories, good food, and drinks. For more information, click here.  To donate to MitoCanada, www.mitocanada.org Boyd Kalnay had his heart set on running the Boston Marathon for twenty-five consecutive years has already run twenty straight Bostons—once after double bypass heart surgery—and has trained for the familiar he’s not sure if he can morally visit the United States “The 51st state talk is trolling our country and if things get worse with tariffs it’s really hard to support that country,” says Kalnay who’s caravanned in the past from Belleville with a big group to race cheer and enjoy the environment at one of the world’s most prestigious events but if things between us and the Americans get worse Nearly half of Canadians have said they’re less likely to visit the United States since U.S bookings from Canada were down 40 per cent last month who plan well in advance for their goal race—especially competitions or prestigious World Major events like Boston New York and Chicago—the conundrum is painful: runners want to be loyal to their country these big American races are analogous to the Olympic Games.  Their total disrespect for Canadians is unforgivable a twelve-time marathon finisher who recently decided not to participate in the World Masters Indoor Championships currently taking place in Gainesville now after all the insults and innuendo and I think the ramifications from what the U.S is threatening toward Canada will have a lasting effect on U.S Many runners feel as strongly as I do about not going there anymore.” The Canadian Masters Athletics Indoor Championships were held earlier this month in Winnipeg and Carrie Oswald decided she could not compete in the United States “I didn’t go to Gainesville because of the U.S political climate and I’m not alone in that sentiment,” says Oswald adding that the Canadian Masters Athletics board seemed to be more reactive than proactive in assuring athletes safety When a discussion began in their private Facebook group about American travel the thread was removed by administrators as opposed to being addressed “We were told that this isn’t the place to talk about politics,” says Oswald “but we can’t keep sports and politics separate.” Oswald is a competitive national Masters athlete and she’s had her chance to compete against the world’s best delayed already by injury and COVID-19 she had a family trip planned around the event in Florida which she cancelled due to the moment we’re in “I’m home cheering on my competitors competing in America—they seem comfortable and happy I look at what’s happening in the States right now and none of it is OK,” she says “Acknowledging the athletes’ concerns should be priority one and I’m disappointed that’s not the case we need to understand representation across Canada needs to address everybody.”  Anyone who has participated in the Vancouver Half Marathon, 21k de Montréal, lululemon Edmonton 10K, the Scarborough 5K or any of the other Canada Running Series races one whose magic for putting on world-class events is unparalleled Executive Director of the Manitoba Marathon got closest with: “Charlotte is a bit of a unicorn.” Peeking behind the curtain of Canada Running Series we investigate the magic of National Event Director Charlotte Brookes.  As over 20,000 runners and walkers at the 2022 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon anxiously fidget in their corrals Event Director Charlotte Brookes is waiting on a tractor trailer stuck on Lakeshore Boulevard an experienced race director heading Toronto Women’s Run Series is shuffling the vehicle along and waiting to give Charlotte the all clear What makes Charlotte special is that in this moment she is with Cory at the same time as she is with those 20,000 athletes at the same time as she is connected with her announcer who will start the race at the same time as she is connected with the police forces supporting runners along their journey to 21.1 or 42.2km the wizard behind the curtain of the Canada Running Series Race Command Centre and all Canada Running Series events Cory recounts this story as the clearest example of Charlotte’s magic a testament to the fact that she has done it all in the running event industry Charlotte worked her way up to operating a Race Command Centre (hidden away in a secret location but started by putting race bibs and safety pins together for her father permit and government liaising and when the time calls for it when the roads were clear and Cory gave the go ahead This wizard of the Canada Running Series Race Command Centre is not the charlatan of Oz courage and most importantly the heart to ensure that each of those 20,000 athletes each of her 15 Canada Running Series employees—and each of the nearly 100,000 spectators—has a joyous What people don’t realize is the amount of work that goes on by Charlotte behind the scenes and that proverbial wizard’s curtain After the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic waned and rumblings began about races returning in Canada it was Charlotte and her fellow race directors connecting on Zooms According to Athletics Ontario’s Sheryl Preston Charlotte was invaluable in her insights and leadership Sheryl is blown away by Charlotte’s passion she gets how important the running community is It was also in these moments that Charlotte’s thoughtfulness and ability to connect thrived Even though some of the challenges brought on by COVID subsided this culture of sharing and connection between running race directors—led by Charlotte and the Canada Running Series—continues “The key to Charlotte’s ‘success’ is that she has this very special gift of being able to build teams on many levels and she is open “She wants everyone to be the best they can be to provide the best experience to all runners regardless of if she owns the events or not Dione Mason, Race Director and Founder of the Toronto Carnival Run “Years ago when I approached Charlotte to learn more about the running industry I came away with so much more than logistical management tips but a keen understanding of the strength of ‘we,’ and the positive impact we can make in people’s lives This is a reason why CRS continues to be so successful not just as an running event planning company but leaving a legacy to improve our humanity.” This is where the mystery and magic lie: in how Charlotte is able to spread joy amongst the running community Charlotte’s mother tells the story of a 10-year-old Charlotte captaining the help desk at the Spring Run Off and as she was heading to the start line Watching Charlotte navigate this long line of new registrants told her what their problem was and she fixed it and she just kept going She never got startled—and she was just ten years old!” A key component of the 2022-24 resurgence in running across Canada is the quality of races executed by Charlotte Brookes Executive Director of the Calgary Marathon: “The running industry is stronger because of her.” And while Canada Running Series operates 11 races across Canada in 2024 Charlotte continues to be involved in many Some of these include the hardest moments faced by race directors across Canada Rachel Munday spoke about the difficult 2022 race when they had to halt the Manitoba Marathon part way through due to extreme heat and humidity Leading into the race and making preparation plans during the execution of the race and in the follow-up communications Both Cory and Kirsten Fleming of the Calgary Marathon also detailed the number of hours put in by Charlotte spending time at other international running events to learn and supporting existing races—theirs included—to ensure the safety and joy of their participants the magic of Charlotte (“one of the most generous humans I have met”) is her “humble wisdom,” her openness and collaborative culture and that “nothing is left behind the curtain.” Charlotte has spent time in the Maritimes with the Blue Nose Marathon Perhaps the humility and kindness come from her Maritime connections according to Blue Nose Marathon Executive Director Sherri Robbins the maritimes is another example of where Charlotte’s magic shines: “Jumping right in and helping wherever is needed Charlotte is not above getting her hands dirty,” she says growing up with her father in the running industry Does it come from experiencing every aspect of race management learning how to navigate the chaos that is inevitably going to come Does this come from her post-secondary learning in Human Resources as evidenced by her retention of clients and the Canada Running Series personnel Or does it come from a combination of these and more That magical quality that cannot be clearly articulated by all those participants but is felt at every event that involves Canada Running Series Reflecting on the qualities that have made her a pillar in the Canadian running industry relationships and just having authentic connections is what drives me in what I do Just that empathy or being able to work with people positively That’s something that’s always been who I am as a person and that’s translated and grown through the events.” evidenced in her words and actions: connecting is a workhorse—deft for long runs and eating up kilometres a seemingly indestructible new sneaker that retains its bounce after repeated wears I can’t think of another shoe I would more strongly recommend First time I wore the Bondi 9 was on a long run during one of the coldest days of the year you’d expect your shoe to stiffen or certainly be the worse-for-wear upon your workout the next day the Bondi 9 kept its bounce and the feeling remained I couldn’t believe—for $200—how well the shoe performed The Bondi 9 has a knit upper and premium foam midsole and the knit upper allows for breathability Wintertime in Canada isn’t for the faint of heart I knew from experience with HOKA that the rubber outsole would handle all conditions—I once had a nail stuck in a pair of Clifton 9s and only noticed it because of the sound of metal hitting the concrete still amazed me with its performance after repeated (difficult) wears the newest shoe from HOKA earns raves: in automotive terms the knit upper seems to be a big improvement over the previous iteration of the Bondi I don’t have particularly wide feet but certainly some sneakers run narrow and nothing worse on a long run than feeling like your shoe’s too small and provided the energy return I needed to hit a series of workout goals: pickups The Bondi 9 is on the upper end of shoe lifespan Sometimes it feels like HOKA came out of nowhere to become everyone’s favourite sneaker. But the evolution has been going on now for sixteen years. When you wear the Bondi 9, you can feel how HOKA only gets better with age. The Bondi 9 a shoe to take you through winter and get us TCS is the title sponsor of marathons in Toronto among a portfolio of 14 global endurance running races tells iRun why her global technology company puts a premium on your health A marathon runner, Michelle Taylor is effusive when talking about the sport we love. Her company which provides global technology services and consulting has changed our sport by elevating the world’s best races TCS is a leader in the growing fields of AI it’s not exaggerating to say that TCS is the most important brand in the world for the running community that’s non-endemic to our sport the qualities that make a runner successful mirror the ones that have made Tata Consultancy Services thrive across 55 countries with a market cap of more than US$200-billion “Running shows how much good you can do in the world,” says Taylor still emotional after returning home from the TCS Sydney Marathon the most recent TCS race sponsorship—an event most believe is on the cusp of becoming an Abbott World Marathon Major “We sponsor marathons because we believe in health and wellness and events help us showcase how TCS’ technology can help solve problems and build a better future—together.” The TCS technology on display at the races, including this weekend’s TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and next month’s TCS New York City Marathon that gets downloaded 2 million times-per-year The app allows live tracking of runners and pinpoints racers across the course so family and friends can lend loved ones their support TCS created a digital twin of Boston Marathon champion and two-time Olympian Des Linden’s heart TCS aims to help a diverse group runners train smarter and safer by creating digital twins of their hearts sleep and recovery can be shared with us all as TCS uses the information to enhance knowledge and improve global health “We believe technology can help everybody live longer “We’re studying the heart through the lens of sport we use sport for innovative new learnings that will impact people—clients the whole world at large—across a much wider to provide a structured environment for K-12 students to imagine and design tech-based solutions to global problems and introduce them to careers in the STEM fields Through compelling design workshops and custom mentorship experiences goIT engages students around the globe by challenging stereotypes and inspiring our future leaders to pursue careers in STEM and the computer sciences “I use the TCS goIT challenges to incorporate technology in the classroom and tackle global issues and the program has opened the world up to my students,” says Loney who’s intricately connected to the TCS ecosystem She also inspires them through her marathon running Loney was awarded a bib by the company to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon with fifty other teachers from around the world and gives me energy so I’m ready to inspire my kids,” says Loney attempting marathon number forty-nine at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon this month “My students—even my own children—see my marathon running and realize it’s something that they also can do Everyone who knows me sees how running makes me feel so fulfilled.”  and the lifelong runner says she’s working her dream job Holding the tape at the TCS Sydney Marathon Taylor watched as the last runners crossed the finish line before the Sydney Opera House expressions of hope and pride across their faces.  we have a long future ahead of us in the running space and we know that technology will continue to evolve the sport and make it more inclusive and accessible,” Taylor says wonderful experience and it solidifies how the beautiful sport of running is a place of shared values at TCS.” New Balance Canada is Micha’s sponsor and they’ve generously given us all sorts of cool gear for prizing Facebook or Instagram after you’ve heard the episode to share your progress and rhythm playlist with Micha and iRun She’ll be shouting out her favourite posts at the end of the week and she can’t wait to see what you come up with So you don’t miss next week’s episode We’ll be talking about embracing the small wins because every step forward deserves to be celebrated — until then stay motivated and welcome back to On Track with Micha weekly motivation to keep you moving toward your fitness goals Olympian coach and your accountability buddy for this journey you crushed the challenge of taking your first step Today we’re taking things up a notch and talking about finding your rhythm And I’ve got a new challenge to help you lock in that groove It’s that perfect moment when your breath It’s something you discover over time Some people find their rhythm through music some through the sound of their own breath So the key is figuring out what works for you Rhythm in running isn’t just about feeling good it has a real impact on your performance and your enjoyment You’re not wasting energy fighting against yourself finding a rhythm helps you stay consistent When running feels less like a chore and more like a dance you’re more likely to stick with it. Let me share a quick story back when I was training for my first international race I struggled to find a rhythm and I was so focused on everybody else’s pace constantly overthinking my form and my breathing my coach from university said to me before a big meet I stopped worrying about perfection and just let my body find its natural rhythm That race turned out to be one of my best races I want you to go for a 10 minute rhythm run Pay attention to the sound of your breath and the pattern of your feet hitting the ground Pick a song with a beat that matches your pace My go to song is Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas and it’s really because of the forward beat It just brings me back to a place when I was young and I used to make up dance routines in my basement and I just loved that rhythm I would get into you should feel like you’ve just settled into a groove a rhythm that feels natural and sustainable. Need a little extra help Match your breathing to your steps like a three-to-two pattern Inhale for three steps and then exhale for two Rhythm is as much about the mental game as it is the physical one. So be patient and let it come to you.  Before we wrap up, a big shout out to our sponsor, Athletic Brewing non alcoholic craft beer to celebrate a great run Don’t forget to use the code ONTRACK20 for 20 percent off your first order finding your rhythm is about more than just running It’s about moving through life with power take on that 10 minute rhythm run and let me know how it goes Use hashtag #OnTrackChallenge to share your progress and rhythm playlist with me and I’ll pick two runners to win some awesome New Balance gear on Facebook or Instagram Giveaway is open to Canadian residents only This offer is not affiliated with META nor Instagram We’ll be talking about embracing the small wins because every step forward deserves to be celebrated until then stay motivated Next stop the Copa del Rey final for FC Barcelona after a 32-28 win in the semi-final against Bidasoa Irun Carlos Ortega's team put in an excellent first half performance and when the Basque came back in the second half goalkeeper Gonzálo Pérez de Vargas and Dika Mem were vital in guiding Barça to victory FC Barcelona began their semi-final in impressive fashion with Nielsen stopping everything in goal and Alexi Gómez a presence in attack Soon the blaugranes were up 9-3 only to stretch that lead to 13-4 Carlos Ortega's team even managed to push their advantage to +10 in the first half only for Bidasoa to rally and go in to the break only seven down at 20-13 The Basques came out refreshed after half time and that was evident in the scoreline as they came to within two at 27-25 with just eight minutes remaining with Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas in goal and Dika Mem leading the side soon a six goal gap reappeared and Barça were able to close out the game at 32-28 to take their place in Sunday's final Matheus (-) i Rodrigo Salinas (1) -starting seven- Skrzyniarz (-) Jevtic (-) and Iribar (-)Barça: Nielsen (-) Richardson (5) i Wanne (2) -starting seven- Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (-) so I never imagined I’d be an important part of our community,” says Sousa who began dragging her 12 and 10-year-olds to water stations around Waterloo to volunteer at local races but now says that her children love participating on race day it was hard—giving our time and changing our routine but now cheering has become something we all love to do.”  Kenia says that it’s one thing to tell her kids that it’s important to care for other people and support your friends and brings her children along for the ride “I can tell my kids that it’s important to be a good person and help your friends but it doesn’t have that much impact,” Kenia says “but when we’re out there actually cheering and my children see all the faces they can feel the impact we’re making and it fills my heart.”  New Balance is one of the world’s best running shoe manufacturers and they’ve been in business since 1906, creating such winning lines as the FuelCell SuperComp, SuperComp Elite, FreshFoam X1080 and the FreshFoam X 880v14 As part of an iRun collaboration New Balance is promoting their Run Your Way campaign by reaching out to runners across Canada and asking them which runners positively impact their community told iRun: “My heart warms knowing Kenia is out there.” Emma then said “Kenia’s love for our community is demonstrated through her smile and actions Her leadership sets a great example for our whole team.”  “Kenia is passing on a really positive community spirit and she’s a bright spot when she volunteers at races—which is often!”  Kenia describes her gifted New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14 shoes as feeling like “running on a cloud,” and says that running not only helps with her physical health This is another attribute that Kenia believes is important to share with both her community and her kids.  “When I first arrived in Canada six years ago running seemed like the perfect deal—affordable flexible and a great way to explore Toronto while staying fit running kept me confident and that helped me land a job quickly running stuck around and it evolved into a habit that now fuels me “Running and volunteering have become a family fun event with my husband and two kids alongside me Seeing generosity and positivity flourishing in my kids has been my proudest achievement and I appreciate the acknowledgement from iRun and New Balance very much.” but every runner has the ability to uplift their community Please join New Balance and iRun in applauding Kenia Sousa and be on the lookout for three more Run Your Way community leaders in the coming weeks. Together rainy but mild in temperature compared to the polar vortex conditions we experienced in weeks past My enthusiasm is not to be confused with warm summer rain because the damp weather during this time of the year will chill you to the bone if you’re not prepared for it With inclement weather comes the opportunity to test the ASICS METARUN WATERPROOF jacket Flat seams on the zipper-less drop pockets for easy access and protection from water seeping into the interior Admittedly I almost missed this detail because the opening is flush with the jacket and the pocket is sewn into the panel of the jacket so that it’s not obvious from the inside either.  There is a smaller zippered pocket near the top left shoulder that is roomy enough for a credit card.  True fully sealed seam with what is termed 10K/10K fabric technology Fitted hood with small visor to keep rain from directly hitting your face and a back toggle to fit to size A simple and neat feature is an elastic back loop to tuck the hood when not in use This jacket is worth the investment and is comfortable while keeping the elements at bay on your run.  Windproof and waterproof with a great fit Find the jacket at your local running retailer or online here First-year students in Presentation College Athenry recently completed the iRun programme which is run in conjunction with Athletics Ireland schools based recreational running programme created for secondary school students we want to get more students moving and enjoying physical activity in a relaxed and non-competitive environment Past pupil Cillin Greene and Olympian Thomas Barr presented them with their certificates and Tommy Devane was also there Tommy first spoke to the two special guests Cillin and Thomas Tommy also spoke to past pupil Liam Shaw who has had an excellent twelve months Next to speak to Tommy was Frank Greally of Irish Runner Magazine Tommy spoke to teacher Kathryn Casserly and student Aoife Warner How the innovative new GlideRoll Rocker helps the editor of iRun get ready for race day  the foam beneath the Brooks Glycerin Max provides a smooth ride that’s nitrogen-infused which is hard to quantify but shows up on the run The cushioning is plush yet the shoe maintains its dexterity and it’s malleable enough to allow the foot to move this sneaker represents comfort and innovation from a 110-year-old footwear brand Glycerin Max is designed for the extreme end of the cushioning spectrum and when preparing for races and working in a variety of shoes Leading into my training for the TCS New York City Marathon I’d never approached such volume: weeks of 100 kilometres at 50-years-old put my ligaments to the test It was during this cycle that I began wearing the Glycerin Max and I found it a perfect accoutrement to the mileage where additional DNA Tuned cushioning is stacked when working on Fartleks or interval training I’d do 18 kilometre sets with 8K mid-workout at half marathon pace in my Brooks Glycerin Max and find the shoe responsive at both speeds the number one performance running shoe in terms of 2022 American sales the shoe would not only survive a tough workout on Wednesday but also retain its cushioning when I turned around to run 33K in the Brooks Glycerin Max Sunday morning I’ve long believed that Brooks is now making the prettiest shoes on the market and I know I’m not the only runner who cares about style I tried the Glycerin 21 with the aqua blue wave and the all-white Ghost Max sneaker and it pained me to wear these shoes running Style has come to the races and Brooks may be leaving its rivals in the lurch It’s no longer enough to make a shoe that’s light It now needs to look cool and Brooks is doing a good job at mixing fashion with function so we show up on race day ready for Instagram The Brooks Glycerin Max is a giant leap forward for one of the leading shoe brands in the world If you need a shoe to help you with mileage or to recommend to someone getting into the sport sleek and effective for a variety of workouts It’s a shoe I have no compulsions about to recommend For more information on the Brooks Glycerin Max, please see BrooksRunning.com When I got gifted these brand new Hoka Mach x 2 not only was I  truly grateful but I was so excited because I heard these fast shoes were more aggressive I’ve enjoyed running in them for both short and longer distances and I feel like they’re amazing Because of the Pebax plate design you find yourself focusing your running on your forefoot which is definitely where I feel good and strong in my stride but it’s great when you don’t do that!) The Hoka Mach x 2 still has the Hoka cushion we all love but are light and speedy—perfect for your tempo road workouts I love doing my tempo runs on the track and I definitely will be lacing these up for my workouts leading up to my marathon I can highly advise for you to do the same let’s be honest: these speedy Hokas are also so cute but is one of the things I love about Hoka Good design just makes me feel good when I have them on The Mach x 2 has awesome taste in colour design and their slogan The whole package resonates in a way that makes me love to run To conclude before I head out on my run, if you need a light fast tempo shoe with a kick, search no more and pick up a pair of Mach x 2 you made this human definitely feel like she was flying! The bright yellow carbon-plated METASPEED EDGE from ASICS is probably the fastest shoe I’ve ever run in and it’s the shoe I’m planning on wearing in my marathon this fall the shoe helps me increase the number of strides I’m able to take and helps me conserve energy and it’s design has a propulsion that matches its vibrant colour scheme: the thing looks like fire and wearing them immediately sets the table to do big things lightweight and high-performance shoe in the ASICS stable The heel height is 39.5mm and the forefoot height is 34.5mm Both the heel and the toe elevate when the shoe is placed on the ground This has the effect of increasing forward propulsion and gives a runner the sense of being strapped into a rocket ship With a curved sole and angled carbon plate the high-performance sneaker also has soft which makes it perfect for a challenging long run and can help you accelerate when you’re ready I wore the shoes recently at the Under Armour Toronto 10K last month and they caused quite a stir Clearly these shoes are on many competitive racers’ wish list as I fielded questions trying out my demo pair before they’d actually been released There’s an appetite for prestige sneakers currently in the market no doubt fuelled in part by the winning ways of ASICS’ athletes Cam Levins and Natasha Wodak FF TURBO PLUS cushioning is designed to promote energy return in the shoe and perhaps that’s the feature I find most responsive The ride gives the impression of actively working with the runner perhaps inspired by Cam Levins’ exciting journey in Paris this summer the ASICS METASPEED EDGE PARIS is a winner Maybe they’ll do the same thing for you The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon was an unforgettable experience and completing it marked a significant milestone in my running journey—it would be my 27th full marathon and the first overseas marathon I was fortunate enough to get through via the lottery on my first try From the moment I arrived in Hong Kong 2 days before the run the energy of the city and the buzz surrounding the event was lively.  You could feel the whole city standing behind a world class event like this Race day began early for me at 430am for me since I had to travel to the starting line in Tsim Sha Tsui while the city was still asleep For a Canadian like me (training in -15c to -20c) the weather wasn’t cold at the start As I stood among thousands of runners at the starting line there were runners from all over the world this wasn’t just another race; it was a chance for me to run in the city I was born in One of the most remarkable aspects of the Hong Kong Marathon was how the city came together to support the event allowing runners to take over the streets in a way that I didn’t think was possible Running through iconic landmarks like the Stonecutter Bridge Western Harbour Crossing Tunnel and the Central Ferry Pier was a highlight with the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls and runners hyping each other on The course wasn’t too tough but certainly was a challenging one given the change in elevation from bridges to going underwater in a tunnel But the support along the route was incredible energy drinks and words of encouragement in Cantonese and English The camaraderie among runners was equally inspiring with strangers offering smiles and encouragement to one another to keep pushing to the end goal Crossing the finish line was an emotional moment Not only had I completed my first overseas marathon The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon was more than just a race; it was an immersive experience that showcased the best of Hong Kong’s spirit and hospitality and the incredible support made it a race I’ll never forget If you are considering an overseas marathon in the near future You can follow Eric on Instagram @superguard_sin Joe Chappell (Chappell Racing) is an Ontario-based endurance coach with a background in exercise science and physical education He’s been coaching endurance sports for over twenty-five years after a successful collegiate career in cross country and track & field He told me that most athletes who are training towards a 2025 race are familiar with term “SMART,” as it refers to goal-setting But the stress then comes trying to put all the pieces together in this fast-paced entrepreneur-filled-world of quick-fixes and hacks Better than trying to find the next new thing with regards to your training there are eight simple steps he includes both in his coaching but creating a positive environment pre- and post-sleep Sleep is the absolute best performance enhancer for overall mind & body performance “Don’t get bogged down with sleep trackers,” Chappell told me then added: “Not a steroid on the planet trumps a good night’s sleep.” Pre and Post ‘run,’ and as often as possible “A training session is more than just getting the set run workout or distance in,” says Chappell skip valuable steps that could help them cut down on injury “Pre and post-workout movements allow you to gauge how you are physical feeling and they can also give you cues as to how you are feeling mentally,” Chappell says Adjust the amount of pre- and post-movements based on what your body and mind are telling you “This aligns with my number two step,” Chappell says “Workouts are never set in stone.” If time is limiting shorten the workout session to still allow for the Pre & Post portions of your training Ending with cool down and slower running not only is beneficial physically “Make what you eat colourful and diverse,” Chappell says and seek professional assistance for simple steps to success “None of my nutrition advice is particularly groundbreaking,” says Chappell most runners have a hard time eating clean.” Important note here: nothing in the gym should impede what you are doing the next time you run or too often can have an athlete not recovering quickly thus limiting the training result of their run session “I advise athletes to reduce sessions and/or eliminate the strength training completely when the sum of all stresses is high or something feels off,” Chappell says “Treat gym workouts like a hard interval session—low reps and lots of recover between exercises.”  “Treat yourself to the treatment of professional therapists,” Chappell says Often these professionals—when seen regularly—can add important insights into how and why you are feeling certain ways This can work the same way with therapists for the mind (I like the idea of a therapist being framed as a treat) “I add sessions with an osteopath into an athlete’s overall training plan to help work training around it properly,” Chappell says Build this into your training plan when you are healthy elliptical machines—provide near-term benefits and you know how to cross train,” Chappell says future-proofing your training in the event of an eventual injury “Use cross-training to give yourself a break from running get into it and look forward to it to maximize its potential,” says Chappell In other words: eliminate the thought that cross-training is a punishment “Stop every now and then and smell the roses,” says Chappell “Don’t be so serious or rigid with your training Architecture studios Arruabarrena Arkitektura and ache Arquitectura designed the intervention that completes a linear block of flats from the 1960s located next to one of the entry axes to the city of Irún The project is developed following the quality standards required for a passive house to reduce its energy consumption for excellent public housing.The block aligned to the street reinterprets the repetition of openings of the linear block using vertical strips of ceramic finish that are interchanged with different openings The project uses different sustainable strategies in its two façades solving energy needs as well as privacy and exterior views to achieve comfort in the interior spaces Project description by Arruabarrena arkitektura + ache arquitecturaThis is an intervention that completes a linear block of houses from the 60s finishing off a small corner plot located next to one of the entry axes to the city of Irún A border city with irregular urban morphology that has grown heterogeneously around its main access axes The block is aligned with Alarde Street on its north facade which rises on a slight slope towards the neighborhood of "cheap houses or garden city" built in the 30s The new building aims to interpret the place and become part of the neighborhood with the desire that the new tenants can acquire a feeling of belonging creating a quality living space and thus turning housing into an element of social cohesion A common problem such as solving the corner finish of a block of collective social housing from the 60s allows us to review the classic typology based on a vertical communication core with two dwellings per floor as well as to carry out an exercise in innovation in the traditional way of building without losing values ​​associated with it such as warmth or detail Implantation on site and urban resolution of the corner plotThe composition on the north facade reinterprets the repetition of gaps in the linear block using vertical strips/bands of ceramic finish next to small windows (bedrooms large windows and vertical wooden slats protecting the balconies continue with the game of the neighbouring block where life freely looks out onto the patios and rear gardens which resolve needs for energy as well as privacy and exterior views In the urban environment this translates into a clear simple and austere composition of the façade managing to respect the scale and spirit of the place with a vocation for integration without being mimetic TypologiesThe maximum use is made of the small plot of 16x16 meters to house the 10 homes on 5 floors above ground level with storage rooms in the basement They are small and humble homes in surface area (4 different typologies between 40-62 m² useful interior and 1-3 rooms) but with a fluid distribution The social core of the home (living room-kitchen) extends to the rest of the rooms of the house with generous openings in the façade towards the patios or balconies to the south providing quality spaces and a feeling of greater spaciousness there are no corridors and one moves attracted by the light The minimum balcony allowed by the regulations is the public extension of the house on floors 1-4 Wooden and aluminium slats filter the light are also part of the vital richness of HABITAR un espacio A house within another through the south-facing windows On the ground floor the houses have a small vegetable garden or orchard as an extension of the open and through interior space The common access space to the houses is spacious bright and connects the two streets (Alarde and Lapice) on the ground floor through the building avoiding dead ends and generating meeting spaces between neighbours sustainability and comfortThe structure is resolved with load-bearing walls and CLT cross-laminated timber slabs prefabricated in a workshop with local radiata pine material (Km0) This means a significant reduction in execution times as well as reducing CO2 emissions slender steel pillar to achieve a feeling of lightness and visual permeability The wooden structure not only meets the load-bearing needs but also classifies the spaces by leaving the ceilings exposed providing warmth and comfort due to its hygroscopic properties for humidity control a Composite Exterior Thermal Insulation System (SATE) is used which further improves the thermal inertia that the CLT provides to the building also guaranteeing the breaking of thermal bridges as well as the entire perimeter plinth of the building have a 2cm ceramic tile finish FSC-certified larch wood slats create a protective filter on the balconies and clotheslines in addition to passive design strategies (a high thermal inertia envelope double N-S orientation for cross ventilation in all homes and exterior solar protection with adjustable slats on the south façade) it has been designed with the quality standards required for a Passivhaus home with the aim of reducing the tenants' energy consumption by 75% compared to a conventional apartment block Efficient installations such as heat recovery units for thermal comfort in homes and the use of renewable energies such as the aerothermal system to generate DHW and air conditioning contribute to reducing consumption with an energy consumption of 22.43 kWh/m² per year and emissions of 3.83 kg of CO2/m² per year Arruabarrena arkitektura.  Lead architect.- Xabier Arruabarrena ache arquitectura. Lead architect.- Ángel Munárriz Quantity surveyor.- Asier Zarrazkin.MEP.- Aialme Ingenieros.Pasivhaus consultant.- Amaya Salinas IRUNVI (Sociedad Pública de Vivienda de Irún) Start date.- March 2022.Completed.- October 2023 Egoin.- Radiata pine CLT cross-laminated timber structure.Carmave.- Passivhaus approved exterior carpentry made of aluminium wood.Gradhermetic.- Grad Stor 80 and Metalic 100 exterior blinds.La Paloma.- Prefabricated element for exterior insulation on the façade (Termoklinker) Jesús Granada. The axes on which its architecture is based are a strong social commitment and the creation of living spaces that respond to the needs and desires of people With rigorous and focused work where creation and multiple conditions are kept in permanent balance Some of its outstanding works are the 150-place Geriatric Center and Day Center along with the Renovation of an old Convent for a residence for Religious and Supervised Apartments in Hondarribia Competition for the transformation of the former Alejandro de la Sota Emigration Building into a Civic and Cultural Centre in Irún (1st prize and work in progress) Gateway to Irun at its connection with France Preliminary project for the urban development of 26 Passive House dwellings with modular systems in Arano Competition for the recovery of the Osinbeltz Quarry in Zestoa (3rd prize) International competitions with a special link to Slovenia such as those developed for the Slovenian National Library NUK II and the Debelei rtic Youth Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled (3rd prize) Architecture office founded in 1998 by Ángel Munárriz an architect from the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra (ETSAUNAV) since 1990 With a team of 7 architects and regular collaborators as consultants on structure they approach architecture as a "profession" of great importance and social dimension They approach their work convinced that there are no standard solutions that define the what but there are guidelines and processes that define the how without losing sight of the uniqueness of the problem posed by each client making their objectives and goals "their own." In the continuous search for quality and improvement they permanently incorporate new technologies and processes such as Quality systems With a long track record in the construction of more than 2,000 homes especially in the field of social housing at a national level for the administrations of Navarre they also carry out work in areas such as Retail (Shopping Centres) Healthcare (nursing homes) and Public Residential (Hotels and Student Residences) Archive HOUSING Lacing up for the youth in Mitchell Plains community organizer Quinton Jacobs enters his season of giving—encouraging us all to use running for more than PBs and selfies Quinton Jacobs is arguably Canada’s most well-known runner and he’s never gone to the Olympics and he doesn’t post his times He’s not out to set records nor is he an influencer though he’s probably influenced more lives than anyone selling watches or shoes is an organizer and producer; a behind the scenes volunteer and cheerleader for our sport that spends time with kids and international race crews and has perhaps more than anyone else in this country embodied the spirit of where our sport needs to go in order to survive: Jacobs uses running to elevate people and places who might need a hand Escape and a Start2Finish program director Kickback mentor and long-time runner with Parkdale Roadrunners Jacobs believes running is about more than destination races and Strava but for someone he doesn’t know—someone he loves “The most fulfilling part of running for me is cheering for other people and I find solace and reprieve not from chasing Boston or completing the Abbott World Majors but from taking a kid who’s never had anything and showing him—through running—that he too is entitled to dream,” says Jacobs who had to be convinced to sit for this cover story because he doesn’t want the light shined on him look where I went,’ but the aspect of running that’s hyper-privileged I find less interesting than using running to lift up someone up: not what I can get from running That’s when the sport became impactful to me.”  Quinton’s impact wasn’t always felt in service of other people and he lived the running life of chasing Boston But life has a way of resetting priorities but divorce ushered in this new season and running helped me move through space on my legs but my reason for running changed,” Jacobs says he found himself at a crossroads: would he head out into the world as a bachelor and explore nightclubs and boozing or was there something else out there?  Jacobs began volunteering three and four times a week and became obsessed with using the sport to offer someone else mental and emotional support,” Jacobs says If not the first major run crew in the country Parkdale Roadrunners in downtown Toronto certainly changed the demographics from the Running Room clinics that had defined the sport throughout the 1990s Parkdale—celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year—removed barriers for throngs of new runners and helped the face of the sport change with the times Q was there from the beginning and while he helped new runners find their first shoes meeting people like Charlie Dark in London with Run Dem Crew 7onSundays in Chicago and the 504th crew in New Orleans which will be returning to Canada this fall at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon uses music and art alongside running to bring together worldwide running crews travel—Jacobs and his cronies use the sport to celebrate our universal connection “Quinton grew up in subsidized housing and it wasn’t until he was older that he experienced unconditional love and he has that for other people and has become someone kids know is looking out for them,” says Britt Jacobs Q’s partner and an experienced run coach and trainer a Kickback kid Q helped cross the finish line in Chicago but Q embodies the ideal mentor that he didn’t have growing up—he doesn’t just ask for your shoe size he articulates what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.” The shoes he’s now working on filling are part of his most ambitious project to date in which he brings a group of people on journeys from Toronto to New York or Toronto to Boston and it’s not surprising his wanderlust has seen his canvas expand last year Q and Britt ran the Comrades Marathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon race he felt a connection he’d been missing and vowed to do something more than taking a photograph with his medal this time around “I want to lean into the communities we run through—not run away from the people and make giving back our focus and South Africa speaking effusively about the people he’s met in Mitchells Plain an area tourists are specifically told to avoid Raising $140,000 to build a track for disadvantaged youth Jacobs hopes to recreate what he’s done with Start2Finish Canada breaking kids out of the child poverty cycle using sport to help kids rise out of their situations Jacobs and Britt leave for South Africa with 80 of their closest international friends; they hope to screen a documentary of their odyssey at the TCS Waterfront Marathon at Bridge the Gap in Toronto and throw a huge celebration with loved ones back on their home streets “Building a track that we can leave in South Africa feels almost preordained imagine how many legs we can inspire after we’re gone,” Jacobs says “It’s within reach and the right thing at the right moment To find out more about Escape to South Africa and help Q build a track, follow him on Instagram @Quinton_Jacobs. To make a donation, click here We are all advised by the World Health Organization to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week to maintain our health and wellbeing many of us are discouraged from achieving this there’s an important barrier to exercise that is not commonly discussed: urine leakage.    Up to one in three women leaks urine while exercising while it is convenient to suggest that childbirth is the culprit many women who leak urine while exercising are young and/or have never been pregnant more than one in five young women leaks urine while exercising and even more do in sports that involve high impacts like jump rope (80%) and trampoline (close to 90%) Jogging and running are also considered high impact Did you know that every third woman you pass during a race may be leaking urine?  A recent survey from the University of Calgary carried out among physically active Canadian women found that half of them reported that urine leakage during physical activity was a determining factor influencing their choice of exercise routine Many women report substituting high-impact exercises with lower-impact ones such as avoiding jumping or choosing a slower running pace Another recent study from Norway noted that for competitive athletes worries about urine leakage caused distraction and impacted sport performance Scientists and health professionals don’t fully understand why so many women leak urine while exercising the impact forces experienced during exercise may simply be more than the system can bear repetitive loading of the pelvic floor may reduce its capacity to support the pelvic organs their bladder sits lower in the pelvis and their pelvic floor is more open than it was before the run These changes don’t appear to result in lasting effects but may explain why urine leakage occurs during an activity Dr. Linda McLean’s Motor Function Measurement Lab (www.mfmlab.ca) at the University of Ottawa studies female pelvic health We are currently seeking female runners to participate in a randomized controlled trial looking at whether a pessary or a tampon can effectively reduce urine leakage while running You do not need to live in the Ottawa area to participate But if you happen to live in the Ottawa area we have additional studies aimed at understanding why women leak during running as well as how support devices such as pessaries may help If you are interested in learning more about these or other studies please feel free to contact the lab (mfmlab@uottawa.ca or 613-562-5800 Ext 4102) urine leakage during exercise is not normal And reducing or eliminating exercise from your routine because of urine leakage is not a good long-term strategy to maintain health and well-being.  If urine leakage is impacting your health we suggest that you consult a local physiotherapist or your primary care provider is a professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa where she holds the Endowed Chair in Women’s Health Research.   a pelvic health physiotherapist and is the research lead for MFMLab studies focused on running-induced urinary incontinence.  fun and functional products for everyday athletes Ciele has consistently delivered well-designed gear tailored to a runner’s needs.I had the opportunity to review the CW (Ciele Winter) head-to-toe kit and here are my thoughts: This versatile and high-performance jacket is perfect for runners (and so much more) As an avid cross-country skier and winter hiker this jacket will be in my gear bag for every winter adventure I was blown away by the technology Ciele is using to create their apparel lineup and I could go on about this piece for days This jacket features a breathable recycled outer shell that is so buttery soft you’ll want to snuggle into it Due to its wool silk insulation and the airBEAM venting this jacket is ridiculously thermoregulating dry and comfortable in a large range of cold weather conditions this shirt has a relaxed fit making it a great option for layering It offers 4-way stretch comfort and durability backed by Ciele’s “million miles guarantee.” It’s perfect for those crisp fall mornings and cold winter nights making this a reliable training partner over three seasons Backed again by the “million-mile-guarantee,” these tights are designed for rigorous use and I plan on using them—rigorously From running in cold weather to snow shoeing or cross-country skiing they’re so comfortable that they will be a staple in my gear rotation My favourite feature is the zippered water-resistant phone pocket making them practical for carrying essentials during any cold-weather outdoor activity The fit is like a warm hug with wind panels to protect your quads from the elements Every runner needs a winter beanie to brave the cold—while looking cool Since it’s constructed with a double-layer tight knit it’s durable and warm and contains a band of reflective yarn to make sure you’re seen in the dark Sustainability is the beanie’s foundation and it’s a great choice for runners (or anyone looking to stay warm outside) I highly recommend this head-to-toe winter kit or any one of these lone items for all runners but the standout feature is the fit—perfect This versatility allows you to easily add or remove layers as needed As someone who enjoys backcountry and ultra-distance adventures breathable options that adapt to changing temperatures and it has me excited to plan my next adventure Nothing like being out on a run when you’re favourite song drops in Whether you need some fresh tunes for your next race or you’re just trying to eat up kilometres on a long run these tunes come fresh from our readers: the crowd-sourced Pump-Up Playlist for Runners Joanne Merrett: Definitely have to have ACDC’s Thunderstruck (readers than LIKED this selection nine times!!) Gayle Stuebing: Obviously Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” Marilyn Richardson: “One More” or “It’s On” by Superchick Sherri Rogers: Tom Petty Rick O’Shaughnessy: Life During Wartime by The Talking Heads Susan Burwell Pozzobon: “I always picked up the pace for You Should Be Dancing by The Bee Gees.” Cindy Elliott Southgate: Feel Invincible by Skillet “It’s on my Finish Line Playlist that I play when I am announcing!” Mark Mathieu: Where the Streets Have No Name David Dazé: “Teenager in the 70’s chiming in here Jackson Browne’s Running on Empty has brought me great joy on runs over many years as has Thunder Road and Born to Run by the Boss and Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac.” Steve Wood: KickStart my Heart by Motley Crue Rick O’Shaughnessy: Life During Wartime Nancy Vadeboncoeur: Juggling Chainsaws from Jelly Roll Band Of Skulls (my absolute favourite – nice pace!) Tammy Coghlan Pigion: Modern Love by David Bowie There are differences in the new iteration of the classic and all of the subtle changes improve the ride the newest GEL-NIMBUS not only has an extra 2mm of cushioning but pulls off the neat trick of simultaneously weighing 305g less in a men’s size 9 model it’s amazing how brands are able to do more with less support and softness and not giving up anything in terms of speed or weight I wore the GEL-NIMBUS 27 through an exhaustive series of reps with speed work mixed into two-minute intervals in four-minute racing blocks at 5K pace This is a challenging start-and-stop workout that demands a lot from a shoe: nearly every pace is called upon in rapid succession and the constant pick-ups demand response not normally found in a neutral trainer I was pleased with how the GEL-NIMBUS 27 performed while being acutely aware that the shoe is not designed for this type of workout (yet being of the belief that when the temperature with wind chill dips to -20C below puts a strain on a sneaker and a certain amount of stiffness is expected Yet the GEL-NIMBUS 27 remained breathable and the shoe offered protection and durability in conditions not really suitable for running outdoors I wisely moved my workouts to the treadmill where I once again found the GEL-NIMBUS 27 the perfect training shoe offering responsiveness and bounce I might move to a carbon-plated super shoe a shoe designed for maximum speed and fast recovery a sneaker like the GEL-NIMBUS 27 can handle the kilometres needed to run the marathon which requires the absorption of hundreds of kilometres during a four month training block (upwards of 100K-per-week for four months) Durable, comfortable, light and affordable at $215, the GEL-NIMBUS 27 from ASICS is a bellwether neutral training shoe an excellent sneaker to get you across your next finish line New shoes always kick up my running motivation. So when ASICS kindly sent over the newly designed GT-2000 13 last month I couldn’t wait to lace up and get out the door the less you’re thinking about your feet the better The new GT-2000 13 allowed my mind to wander This is a neutral shoe designed for pronation (read low arches and flat feet) and has been a welcome addition to my training shoe rotation because it gives me the support and stability in a lightweight shoe which made me keen to find out what more was in store with the latest version The moment I slide my foot into a shoe is very telling I can generally tell how much I’ll like the shoe simply by the feel of its interior The 13s have cushioning in all the right place along with plenty of arch support which is critical for anyone with low arches which has me feeling energized which is always the ideal feeling at the start of your run Thanks to the combined efforts of ASICS’s FF Blast Plus and PureGEL technology in the midsole runners will experience this toe-off energy I’m talking about along with a cloud-like feel with each foot strike One of the biggest changes runners will notice in this iteration is the inclusion of ASICS 3D Guidance System While this sounds high tech and can be overwhelming so let’s break it down: the shoe’s base is wider with a beveled heel and forefoot which makes for a smoother stride from the moment your feet hit the pavement and bounce back up again The outsole of this shoe also features lightweight AHAR which helps reinforce the part of the shoe that tends to experience the most wear for runners who over-pronate It also adds a little extra grip underfoot and all this tech is intended to have runners feeling more assertive with every step Although colourways may not make you any faster with ten different colourways you’ll easily find one to suit your style (and make you think you can fly) Whether you’re looking to pick up the pace you can count on the new ASICS GT-2000 13 to get you running in the right direction Anna Lee Boschetto is an iRun contributor and runner covering destination racing Michael Vieira is the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend race director and has lots of plans for Canada’s largest running weekend Runners are finalizing their spring race plans and Vieira believes Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is worthy of a serious look iRun editor Ben Kaplan spoke with the new Ottawa head honcho to kick off our race coverage for an exciting new year.   you’re now quarterbacking the country’s largest running event Michael Vieira: I’m an erstwhile coach that found his way into sports management I was Executive Director of the Ottawa Gymnastic Centre and manager of Paralympic Performance and came on with Run Ottawa in April MV: The weekend is one of those big events in the city that galvanizes the community—everyone knows someone who’s running it Ottawa Bluesfest and Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend—not everyone but most of the city gets somehow involved.   iRun: So you bring a variety of skills and experience to the job What stirs your soul about the event?   MV: It’s the biggest multi-day race in Canada and no matter which side of the tape you’re on intending on making something so much fun something so much more fun?  I was struck by the medal presentation after the race It felt like a summer music festival with DJs and people playing bocce ball and dancing…having a great time It felt like a fun place to be and we’re looking to do more things like that to make every part of the two days feel like Celebration Plaza Running has exploded in popularity and we want to provide new and seasoned runners alike with an experience they’ll never forget.  iRun: Let’s address the elephant in the room—people (some I knew a man who moved to Ottawa from Montreal With—all the different historic sites—it’s beautiful in the springtime Parliament Hill and the canal changed things for him.  iRun: I had a very similar experience.  Sometimes it helps people to experience it on the run iRun: Can you fill us in on some brass tacks with this year’s race MV: We’ve made the course flatter. Not pancake-flat, not Berlin, but we want to give runners everything that we can. So we’re excited by that and we’re modifying how we manage the corral starts. We also have a new registration platform, Let’s Do This which makes it easier for runners to find what they’re looking for and just lots of cool activations around the course and more excitement around the finish area.  iRun: Obviously the sport keeps growing and racing keeps getting more popular We don’t ever want to grow too fast so we’re not making our events bigger—in terms of the number of people in each race—the races we do have are just more popular.  So my message to runners thinking about registering is ‘get in there fast while you can.’   iRun: It’s great to meet you and certainly Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend has a proud tradition of truly awesome race directors Take us out of here with a few words from the new boss.  MV: Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend has been a great event for years and we want runners to put us on their calendars and consider visiting the country’s capital or coming back to our events we know runners will love it—because runners tell us they love it everyday.  We’re trying hard to make it a fun experience one in which you’re not running by yourself you’re running with your friends and the city Tens of thousands of likeminded people all trying to achieve their own goals.  To register for the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend kicking off May 24 with a kids marathon, 2K, 5K, Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa, the Tartan Ottawa International Marathon or the Ottawa Half Marathon presented by Desjardins, please click here.  iRun Local is marking a full decade of being the Saratoga Springs’ local running store The business opened 10 years ago in downtown Saratoga Springs and relocated to its prominent spot on Broadway in 2018 who owns the shop along with her husband Anthony said she is excited to reach this milestone “Over 10 years ago my husband and I started the business over on Congress Street We really had a vision of becoming the cornerstone of the running community So many people are aware that Saratoga has such a rich culture of running,” she said The shop also includes a state-of-the-art video analysis fit process “So as opposed as to someone coming in and choosing a footwear brand or model off the wall What are they going to be doing in the shoes And then we have a treadmill right here in the front of the store What we really like to do is watch people walk or run.” Customers can also shop iRun Local’s inventory More: iRun Local The station representative that can assist any person with disabilities with issues related to the content of the public file is Brittany Moroukian. She can be contacted at bmoroukian@wnyt.com or 518-207-4710 Canada became the first international partner of the International Push Up Challenge raising money for mental health across Canada Nick Hudson began the fundraiser — 2,000 pushups in 18 days — to acknowledge the 2,000 lives lost to suicide around the world every day 49,000 people attempted the challenge and raised $2.4 million that number jumped to $3.4 million raised for mental health in Canada the first country to be part of your international expansion — what message do you have for Canadians taking part in your challenge a huge thank you to all of you for taking part it means a lot to us to see so many of you stepping up to take on this challenge for mental health We thank all of the Canadians who got down and push-upped this month in support of the Canadians who experience mental illness each year — your efforts are making a real difference The Push-Up Challenge is about more than getting fit — it’s about connecting with your community and doing something positive for your mental fitness The Challenge is on from February 11 to 28 2025 (two days left!) with Canadians from all walks of life taking on 2,000 push-ups to represent the (more than) 2,000 lives that are lost to suicide each day iRun: Did you have any clue it would get so big NH: When I started The Push-up Challenge in 2017 in Australia I didn’t know at the time that the Challenge would soon mean so much to so many and could really make a difference — it quickly grew into Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event that is encouraging conversations and raising awareness of mental health issues affecting everyday people We knew we wanted to reach more people around the world — and Canada was the perfect place to start commitment and community we saw throughout the Challenge in February 2024 49,000 Canadians took on the Challenge and completed an incredible 44 million push-ups raising over $2.4 million for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) iRun: What propels you to keep carrying on NH: Just one year after first doing a casual push-up challenge with some of my friends I needed open-heart surgery and experienced depression through the long recovery period We started up the challenge again and it wasn’t long before I realized the positive impact moving every day had on my mental health alongside my father’s mental health challenges and having friends who had taken their own lives inspired me to quit my job as an engineer and devote my life to the cause While I originally started The Push-Up Challenge as a fitness thing I quickly realized how much it was keeping us connected We know through research that social connection is linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression when the need for connection is not met within our communities loneliness becomes a real risk factor for depression and suicide starting conversations about mental health and breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness can all make a difference to building more connected communities Connecting people is at the core of the Challenge It’s likely everyone will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness every year around 2,000 lives are lost to suicide every day The stories we hear from participants is what keeps us motivated You can get stuck in a zone when you’re working on an Excel spreadsheet and sometimes you forget to sit back and go Look at these beautiful stories coming out of this community iRun: How has your involvement with the cause deepened since you began NH: When I first launched The Push-Up Challenge I knew it had the potential to create positive change but it’s been incredible to see just how deeply it resonates with people Now in our second year in Canada and our ninth year in Australia (we’ve done more than 1 billion push-ups over here to date!) I’ve had the privilege of hearing countless personal stories from participants who’ve been impacted by the Challenge in ways I never anticipated Hearing from people who have shared how participating in the Challenge has helped them during tough times — whether it’s battling with their own personal struggles or losing a loved one to suicide — it’s shown me the real tangible benefits of bringing physical activity and mental health awareness together NH: My ultimate hope and goal is to keep growing The Push-Up Challenge help level up mental fitness worldwide and help countries around the world be more proactive about mental health – pushing for a world where mental health is just as important as physical health By encouraging improved mental fitness alongside physical fitness and inspire people to check in with themselves and others regularly I hope that The Push-Up Challenge can continue to bring people together and help individuals feel connected iRun: Do you have any advice — 2000 push-ups sounds impossible on the face of it and you’re talking to runners — how does a runner get this done NH: We totally understand that 2,000 push-ups over 18 days is a lot and a real challenge for many we’ve got tips and tricks to help make it more manageable who we know are often dedicated and disciplined people — there’s plenty of ways to incorporate push-ups into your day And it certainly doesn’t have to be push-ups — there’s plenty of alternative exercises that we want participants to incorporate like squats We always say push-ups can be done anytime You don’t need any special equipment — you can do it at work NH: It’s easy to get involved. You can register for The Push-Up Challenge as an individual or team, or get your whole workplace, school, gym, club or even your running community involved. We’ve got a handy app where we share Mental Health Facts and you can log your daily push-ups. Find more information and register at www.thepushupchallenge.ca Along the MGT recently in Toronto, I wasn’t recognized but my shoes were. I was wearing the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and their magenta good looks and familiar heel stack stopped another runner in his tracks “Are those the new NOVABLAST?” he asked me and he was eager and excited and I could instantly tell that he was a fan of the ASICS line “I am wearing the NOVABLAST 5,” I told him “and let me tell you something—they’re great.” A huge perk of editing iRun is testing out sneakers and the NOVABLAST 5 With the TCS New York City Marathon still in my legs I saved the NOVABLAST 5 for this very moment: something comfortable and energized I knew I wanted to handle my kilometres gingerly There’s an 8mm drop on the NOVABLAST 5 and the shoe weighs 8.6 ounces which is half an ounce lighter than the last iteration of the popular shoe Rarely do I wear a running shoe also as a walk-around sneaker and I don’t advise runners to try this maybe the cushioning—I started to wear the NOVABLAST 5 all over town Other features worth mentioning are the new outsole designed for maximum energy return Not surprisingly a trampoline inspired the shoe’s design and you can feel that in the springiness of each step There’s good breathability and the shoe is tough I got my nerve back and returned to (some) workouts with BlackToe Running and the NOVABLAST 5 felt good doing 800-metre repeats at my 5K pace even if I wasn’t trying to go blazing fast ASICS has really stepped up its game in 2024 and you can see the results at races and amongst your own running crew The florescent design of their METASPEED series were everywhere this year and it’s on the heels of those big releases that the NOVABLAST 5 arrives to great fanfare I found the shoe good for long runs and speed work and eliciting compliments from a stranger one cold Sunday morning on a run Be sure to check the closest running retailer about these shoes, or see here which transports natural gas between Spain and France began operating on Tuesday with 66% expanded capacity The 1.5 billion cubic meters expansion brings the pipeline’s capacity to 3.5 billion cubic meters The increase represents an 18% boost in Spain’s pipeline export capacity to France and the rest of northern Europe The increase in capacity coincides with the beginning of the winter heating season and intends to strengthen the European gas network amid the Russian threat to cut off gas supplies According to Spanish transmission system operator Enagas the expansion is part of Spain’s solidarity measures with Europe Spain has been relatively isolated from the rest of Europe’s natural gas infrastructure for years the country built large numbers of liquified natural gas (LNG) plants Spain is home to 45% of the EU’s LNG storage capacity which could prove key as the EU weans off of Russian gas Spain’s natural gas exports to France already increased 137% compared to the same period in 2021 the Spanish entity responsible for maintaining oil and gas reserves Spain’s still-limited connections to the European gas grid remain a bottleneck limiting the transport of Spain’s abundant gas capacity to the rest of the EU While Spain and Portugal had been advocating to finish the construction of the MidCat pipeline which would add a third pipeline connecting France and Spain the project was scrapped less than two weeks ago after being met with an unenthusiastic French response the nations agreed to build a submarine pipeline connecting Barcelona and Marseille According to Spain’s environment minister the new pipeline won’t be operational for at least four or five years the increase in the Irun pipeline adds some increased energy security and Spain will continue re-exporting LNG on tankers Spain has also pledged to increase infrastructure at the Barcelona port so it can export more LNG to Italy by ship “In order to meet the gas needs of the population and our industries over the long term we believe it is essential to build a flexible and resilient gas network capable of making the most of all the infrastructures present in Europe,” said Dominique Mockly chairman and CEO of French operator Teréga in a statement on the Irun pipeline expansion Few brands can match the wild ride of Athletic Brewing, the biggest non-alcohol beer brand in the US, which the Wall Street Journal just reported doubled its valuation to $800 million. Founded by Bill Shufelt in January, 2017, Athletic Brewing products are now routinely found at Canadian races, including the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon this fall iRun is going to put together an Athletic Brewing team of twenty runners to compete in the marathon or half marathon fully outfitted in Athletic Brewing race kits with even more bells and whistles kicked in In the digital issue of iRun we’re currently making—out July 24—details of the contest will be explained Shufelt talked to iRun exclusively to talk about their commitment to running iRun: You started Athletic Brewing at the races What do you like about summertime and why is now a good time for your product?  Bill Shufelt: I love being outside year-round After living in a couple of different regions since we launched Athletic I have a whole new appreciation for the beauty of Fall in the Northeast — the diversity and exuberance of all the blooms and people re-emerging from hibernation and working out Some of the best trail running happens in the summertime and fall iRun: I’ve found on my own journey that when I started with AB Now I can’t imagine my training without it Does that reflect other athlete’s experiences Are you finding that once runners first try your product BS: Addition to experience by subtraction of alcohol is the most common theme we hear from our customers It puts a lot of social and beer occasions back on the table A large number of endurance athletes across disciplines discover Athletic organically during training blocks.  iRun: We’ve all heard about the Athletic Brewing success story What is your ultimate dream for the brand and how close are you towards achieving it?  While it feels like we’ve come a long way and we have significantly enhanced abilities to meet our customer’s needs with our two breweries still only about 20% of the North American population are even “in the know” on Athletic The delight of our beers are still a “secret” that we are excited to let many more people in on BS: On the longer road, we truly believe that non-alcoholic beer could eventually comprise 20% of overall beer sales in the future There’s still a lot of runway ahead of us!  iRun: You’ve spent considerable time here in Canada What does the country personally mean to you?  BS: While the US and Canada have different names I personally feel a very seamless and borderless existence between the two countries but that may just be a function of the amount of time I have spent on both sides of the border my family had a multi-generational fishing cabin in New Brunswick I have been on numerous ski trips and adventures in BC & Alberta I’ve also spent both personal and business time in Toronto and Quebec We’re grateful and appreciative of Canada’s acceptance of the Athletic brand and we intend to honour that with continued investment and customer service to the best of our ability.  I’m curious as to how this entire experience changed both you and your company You started humbly and now you’re approaching a billion dollar valuation retain what attracted athletes in the first place I’d really like to think that the only changes in myself have been a result of the learning journey we’re all on and my sincere desire to self-improve every year I’ve been fortunate enough to have a great number of truly exceptional people (both in talent and character) walk through our doors at Athletic and I couldn’t possibly imagine doing anything other than collaborating with them every day.  iRun: In a way your origin story is similar to Nike Phil Knight selling shoes the way you sold beer competing at all sorts of events and sharing brews with other participants I’ve already personally handed out thousands of beers at events in the past year and last spring I ran a half marathon with a large number of our Athletic Brewing ambassadors.  a lack of authenticity can be sniffed a mile away We’ve never pretended to be something that we’re not I can’t imagine being an entrepreneur if you didn’t authentically love your products iRun: What are you doing personally for your own mental health?  when I feel like I’m burning the candle a little too low No day has ever gotten worse after a workout the evening is most relevant in that it’s gratitude-centered I would only carry forward the most stressful unsolved parts of my day rather than noting the wins BS: I’ve also started to keep relatively sacred hours with family I try to do breakfast with my family every morning and have family time for at least two hours around dinnertime It helps me stay refreshed by having clear work and family time blocks which creates balance for both myself and them as well There are of course times where I work twenty hours a day for certain stretches iRun: Can you describe a step along your brand evolution that you’ve found personally gratifying?  BS: Direct customer emails and in-person interactions are by far the most gratifying part of the Athletic journey John [Walker] and I set out on this path to positively impact tens of millions of lives—and we believe we’re on the path to fulfilling that promise—but I sincerely say that every single email I’ve ever received moves me and lights my fire a bit more iRun: What are you currently working on that means something extra special to you?  BS: Our Two for the Trails annual grant process we’ve already supported about 500 outdoor organizations and will have contributed about $6.5M total in grant funding after 2024 Our aim is to enhance outdoor access for generations to come—and I think that is super important for future generations to get to experience the same wondrous outdoors as I have had the opportunity to Any plans for runners to meet you up north this year?  BS: I’m actually looking for a great long-distance trail run or hike recommendation in BC My ideal would be somewhere I can do a 50-mile The digital issue of iRun featuring the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon contest with Athletic Brewing will be in your in-box July 24 have been awarded the project for the construction of the new railway passenger station in Irún (Basque Country awarded by Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (Railroad Infrastructure Management ADIF in Spanish) for more than 65 million euros  (VAT included) includes a new building constructed over the tracks that will house the various passenger transport services at the station (commuter the reorganization of the existing tracks and the integration of the building into the environment demolishing the current passenger building and other technical buildings on the platforms will span the ten train tracks and connect to the city at its western end via a new plaza that will include amenities for sustainable mobility It will also have an A energy rating (for non-renewable energy consumption and emissions) and a solar energy collection system on the large roof consisting of 180 photovoltaic panels connected to the grid The station will have three levels: the ground floor-street the mezzanine-offices and the first floor-main lobby The main access to the building will be located on the first floor escalators and elevators to reach the main lobby The mezzanine will be an open-plan office space for the station’s employees the first floor-lobby will be designed as a markedly elongated space that will connect with the boarding area (commuter medium and long distance and international) through “boxes” located on the south side and equipped with access controls and the necessary auxiliary services for boarding This area will also house passenger assistance services running from one end of the concourse to the other Outstanding presence in the Basque Country This initiative is in addition to other important projects that the OHLA Group is currently executing in the Basque Country the construction of the Mondragón-Elorrio-Bergara section within the Vitoria-Bilbao-San Sebastián High Speed Line and the construction of the infrastructure of section 9b The company is also making progress on projects such as the construction of a new secondary school for Salburua BHI high school in Vitoria-Gasteiz and the development of the roof of the new fish market in Pasaia (Gipuzkoa) The construction of a technical block at Bilbao airport and the Iztueta underpass in Donostia-San Sebastián were also completed in 2022 His fondness became enthusiasm when the film producer René Barberis who was shooting the film “Ramuntxo,” paid a visit to Bordeaux The chorale in which Luis Mariano took part participates in the shooting and our artist in spite of the difficult times in which he lives He enrolls in the School of Fine Arts in Bordeaux Luis Mariano subsists thanks to a job in the Cabaret Le Caveau where he sings every night a young French businessman enamored by the art of song with whom he created a solid friendship and who was the one who helped Luis financially in his beginning years and in his first trips to Paris In the same time period he also begins to sing tropical rhythms and smooth tangos “in the style of Gardel.” With them he will record his first record as a soloist he started to become more famous than his teachers and his solo record becomes golden in Argentina he enrolls in the Conservatory of Music of Bordeaux and leaves behind Fine Arts He now dedicates his time to song and to the opera Luis is introduced to the celebrated tenor Miguel Fontecha He moves to Paris and enrolls in La Comedie Française to perform with Maurice Esconde Luis Mariano presents himself to substitute a tenor in the comic opera “Don Pasquale” de G In Paris and the French provinces he performs Puccini´s three most celebrated operas: La Bohème with the debut of “La Belle de Cadix,” he enters the world of stardom later will arrive success throughout the world: Madrid By 1.959,Luis Mariano had already interpreted 23 films and sold more than 5 million records His popularity was immense and he competed in France with Chevalier 1.970 when he was 55 in Paris at the Salpêtrière Hospital © Ayuntamiento de IrunPlaza San Juan Harria sac.010@irun.org It’s not an uncommon DNF (did not finish) story due to knee pain that caused me to drop out of the Calgary half marathon in 2017.  Suffice to say that revenge is a dish best served cold and it was a damn tasty meal at the finish line of the 60th anniversary of the Calgary Marathon it has been eight years since I last ran a half marathon road race.  There have been many trail races in that time but the need to rectify my last half marathon attempt in Calgary was strong.  So when the opportunity to return to Cowtown revealed itself I knew this was my second chance to return to racing and a bit of redemption.   Travelling to races may trigger a bit of anxiety but the City of Calgary is pretty easy to navigate runners had use of the toilets that helped ease the wait times at the porta potties.   there were four easy access corrals for the varying distances and pacers were identifiable with their high flying tear-shaped flags Kitty Honeychurch was the 1:55 pacer and I overheard her say during the race that she was 3-years into a running streak who at the age of 88 is also known as ‘the Grandpa Pace Bunny,’ and the 2:40 half marathon pacer I met him at the expo and he predicted my finishing time to be 1:55 Even though Calgary is considered to be on the foothills of the Rockies and the gateway to the Prairies it makes the half marathon course relatively hilly (with a great view of the city after the 6K mark) This plays to my preference as the course zigzags from the Tom Campbell’s Hill Nature Park residential areas and across the meandering Bow River.   I was thankful to have the FuelCell cushioning and stability of the New Balance Supercomp Elite 4 shoe as I worked both days of the race expo on concrete floors It gave me the forward propulsion for those upward climbs and mitigated the pounding on my quadriceps as I  descended I’m happy to report no sore thighs the next day.   This was further confirmed by a conversation I overheard between other runners and also hearing watches indicating as we approached the kilometre markers (this happens a lot at races).  as my right hip was a bit angry with me.   Navigating unfamiliar streets can throw anyone off a race but the finish line was right near the Scotiabank Saddledome and once that was in sight one minute earlier than my predicted time by Gerry (sorry the finisher medals design were inset with two diamantés and the City of Calgary in the backdrop with the number ‘60’ formed by shoelaces.  and it was much welcomed during the race.  HOWEVER I packed a waterproof running jacket and was able to stay relatively dry on the way back to the hotel Due to its distance from large bodies of water Calgary has a drier climate compared with Vancouver and Toronto That would explain the constant thirst and dryness my body experienced during my stay really had to pay attention to my hydration and increased my electrolytes intake before and after the event to avoid dehydration in fact I have a far more enjoyable race on hills but I might be an outlier with that preference it would be prudent to use a water resistance/proof bag as the baggage area is not covered Mylar blankets were not distributed to half marathon finishers Breakfast. Hands down the best Korean breakfast spot this side of the Pacific Ocean is Brouhaha that serves breakfast and lunch it’s a nice walk along the Bow River and through Kensington for the yummiest Kimchi Omurice.   As tempting as it was to go back to Brouhaha for a second time, OEB Breakfast Co., was conveniently on the way to GMC Stadium. The spinach and cold smoked salmon eggs benedict was ample and cleverly called The One That Did Not Get Away on the menu. Its located on 222 5 Ave SW #110, and right around the corner from a terrific coffee shop called Monogram Coffee For a post-race celebration and located on 1136 Kensington Road NW, is Hayden Block Smoke & Whisky that has a BBQ platter for a satisfying protein fix If you prefer a quiet corner, across the street in The Plaza Theatre is Sidebar to indulge in uniquely crafted cocktails But don’t blame me if those Tiki cocktails lead to hot It’s been a bit of a climb to return to road racing to be race ready and remind yourself that despite the roadblocks that bring you down Fingers crossed the life priorities balance out moving forward Thank you Calgary Marathon for ushering me back into race mode and achieving that higher ground.  The Barça handball team were held to a 26-26 draw by Bidasoa Irun in the second Asobal League game of the season The home had the better of the contest for most of the game and only a late comeback salvaged a point for Carlos Ortega's team in a low scoring encounter in the Basque Country The draw puts an end to a run of 33 consecutive victories for the blaugranes in the league The last time they failed to win an Asobal game was back in the 2021/22 season whey they were held to a 32-32 draw away at Antequera Barça got off to a good start in the Artalek arena with Dika Mem opening the scoring the home side were soon back in front at 4-3 with just four minutes gone Bidasoa held on to their advantage for the rest of the half with their lead stretching to three goals on one point Iñaki Cavero was the stand out performer as was the home defence Goalkeeper Harbaoui made six vital stops for Irun in the opening half In the second half the home side maintained their form and moved into a five goal lead at 19-14 Bidasoa kept their noses in front for the majority of the second period but at eight minutes from time Barça had pulled themselves back into the contest at 25-24 Barça keeper Pérez de Vargas was also a key figure in the game and he kept the home side at bay which allowed Dika Mem to find the net with just seconds remaining to make the final score 26-26 García (2) and Zabala (1) - starting seven - Jevtic (0) Carlsbogard (2) and Wanne (6) – starting seven  – Pol Valera (0)