Rory Linkletter and Ben Flanagan are elite Canadian distance runners and friends who have both been on the show twice. Although they have different primary disciplines, they occasionally compete against one another and that is always a great day for fans of the sport.

On May 25th, 2024 they lined up at the Canadian 10k Championships in Ottawa and they’re here to break it all down with us. As a 5k runner, Ben was treating this race as strength work and as a marathoner, Rory was looking at it like speed work on his road to the summer Olympics in Paris. In this conversation they held nothing back when describing their pre-race preparation and in-race tactics to try and win. In the end Ben came out on top in 28:09 and Rory finished second in 28:40. Both had small personal bests and Ben’s was also good for a new Canadian record. We think it’s safe to say that they put on an exceptional show for the thousands of fans lining the streets of our nation’s capital.

Both in their late 20s, Rory & Ben seem wise beyond their years and have an undeniable mutual respect for each other. Ben has achieved the 5000m Olympic Standard and will be racing the Canadian track trials on June 27th in hopes of another win. Either way, it is looking very likely that he’ll also be named to the summer Olympic team, and he and Rory have requested to room together in Paris.

It’s not every day that you get to hear two competitors break down a race together like this, including what was going on in their heads every step of the way.

Ben’s Past Appearances

• Episode 151 - Deep Dive on World Championships
• Episode 95 - Canadian 10k Champion

Rory’s Past Appearances

• Episode 180 - On Running Olympic Standard at the Seville Marathon
• Episode 153 - Top Canadian Men’s Marathoner at 2023 World Championships

Connect with Ben:

• Instagram: @ben_flanagan

Connect with Rory:

• YouTube: @LinkletterRory
• Instagram: @rory_linkletter

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Facebook

We love hearing from you! Connect with us on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Melvin Yumang is a 40-year old flight nurse & runner from St. Agathe, Manitoba who was one half of a recent Couple of the Quarter episode with his wife, Jonelle. Melvin & Jonelle are proud parents to 8-month old baby Jameson and in that episode they opened up about their fertility & health struggles. Today we’re shining a spotlight on Melvin’s running.

Inspired to do something meaningful to mark the one year anniversary of his father’s passing in May of 2018, Melvin decided to take up running. It started with a 10k at Ottawa race weekend but by 2019 it had escalated to a marathon. He finished the Manitoba Marathon in a very respectable time of 3:45 and has been able to shave off another 7-10 minutes every year since. He now boasts a personal best of 3:19 and wants to keep chipping away until he qualifies for Boston. Although Melvin dabbles in many distances on the roads as well as the track, his favourite distance is the marathon because of its difficulty to master. You’ll hear about changes he’s made to his fueling strategy as he’s gone along, and how he’s gotten creative with training because of his role as a shift worker and new parent.

Melvin gives back to the running community as a pace bunny, ambassador, and regular local run club attendee.

Connect with Melvin:

• Instagram: @emjaywhy
• Couple of the Quarter with Melvin & Jonelle

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Facebook

We love hearing from you! Connect with us on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Dave Stevens, hailing from Nelson, BC, is an accomplished Elite Ultra Runner, Coach, and Father. By day, Dave serves as a Spatial Analyst for the province while blending a sustainable training regimen into his busy lifestyle. With an impressive track record spanning more than a decade, Dave has secured victories at the Run Rabbit Run 100 miler twice, UTMB Mexico 100 miler, and has made the podium at the flatter Javelina 100. He has consistently placed in the top 10 at major races ranging from 50 to 100 kilometers. Dave proudly represented Canada at the mountain running world championships and excels in challenging mountain traverses. As he approaches 42, Dave shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining a relaxed approach to sustainable training that he eagerly shares with the athletes he coaches. Coming from a non-athletic background himself, Dave is passionate about helping others navigate this transition without making all the mistakes he once made.

Connect with Dave:

• Instagram: @davestevens_outrunya
• Coaching
  • https://outrunya.com
  • https://coolsaetgo.run

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

• Email us with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram
• Kim's Instagram
• Kim's Facebook
• Carolyn's Facebook

We love hearing from you! Connect with us on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.