What happens when you trade a tennis racket in Peru for the grueling Canadian ultramarathon circuit? In this episode, we sit down with Sergio Raez Villanueva, an elite long-distance runner whose "gutsy" racing style recently took him all the way to India to represent Canada at the 50K World Championships. Sergio opens up about his profound transition from a Peruvian immigrant to a national-level athlete, revealing how he used running as a meditative lifeline to navigate the hurdles of a new life.
We trace his evolution from the fast-paced world of collegiate cross country to the grit of high-level ultras, exploring how he manages to balance a demanding full-time career with an intensity that sees him tackling the Ottawa 10K and marathon in a single weekend. Sergio shares the mindset behind his upcoming "go big or go home" season—which includes his daunting first attempt at a 100-mile trail race at Sulphur Springs 2026—while reminding us that even in a solitary sport, it is the pulse of the community and a deep sense of cultural pride that truly fuels his fire.

Learn more about Sergio at: https://www.instagram.com/sergioraezv/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

How do you turn grief into a movement? This episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast features Neil McKay, founder of Persistence Racing, marking five years of resilience in London, Ontario. We explore the launch of Fox Stride, a unique "double dash" track event, and the deeply personal motivation behind Neil's mission.
After navigating family tragedy and recovery, Neil's experiences with the London Children's Hospital inspired his London 100—a 100km solo challenge to raise $5,000 for pediatric care. It's a powerful look at finding purpose through pain and the profound impact of running for something bigger than yourself.

Learn more about Neil at: https://www.instagram.com/persistenceracing/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

Find out about one of Canada's most promising distance runners! This week on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we're joined by Jadyn Keeler, the University of North Dakota standout and Canadian Track and Field League (CTFL) athlete currently shattering records in the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Jadyn joins us to discuss her unconventional path to the NCAA, her independent recruitment hustle, and the reality of being an international student navigating NIL endorsements. But it's not all track—Jadyn also dives into her demanding double major in Molecular Biology and Geography, explaining how she balances high-level scientific research with an elite training schedule.

Highlights include:
- The Pivot: Transitioning from the rink to elite track and field.
- Technical Talk: A deep dive into the "double threshold" training method.
- Olympic Dreams: Her roadmap to representing Team Canada at LA 2028.
- Longevity: Essential advice for young athletes on consistency and health.

Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or a fan of the sport, Jadyn's story of scientific precision and athletic grit is a must-listen.

Learn more about CTFL at: https://www.instagram.com/jadynkeeler/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

What is the future of Canadian athletics? The Canadian Track and Field League (CTFL) is rewriting the script. In this episode, we're joined by Erin Teschuk, Sam Kenahan, Matthew Lozano, and Saed Griffith to discuss how a unique team-based structure is building a sustainable home for track and field talent in Canada.

Episode Highlights:
- From Roots to Results: The guys share stories of early inspirations—from childhood soccer to being coached by their fathers—and how those roots fuel their current Olympic and marathon aspirations.
- The CTFL Blueprint: Why a team-centric format is the "secret sauce" for keeping the competitive fire alive after graduation.
- The Mental Grind: A candid look at the resilience needed to bounce back from long-term injuries and the importance of a solid coach-athlete bond.
- Community First: Discover the professional opportunities and community-driven culture defining this emerging era of Canadian track.

Whether you're chasing a personal best or curious about the domestic circuit, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the future of the sport.

Learn more about CTFL at: https://www.instagram.com/ctfl_official/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

For International Women's Day, we're burning the "shrink it and pink it" playbook. This week on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, Lindsay Housman, Founder and CEO of Hettas, joins us to explain why your running shoes have a gender problem.

A woman's foot isn't just a smaller version of a man's—so why is the industry still treating it like one? We're diving deep into the biological grit: how hormones impact your ligaments, why your stride mechanics are unique, and how Hettas is using independent research to prevent the injuries the big brands ignore.

From funding biomechanical studies to championing the women's decathlon movement, Lindsay is proving that gender-specific data isn't just a ""nice to have""—it's the key to performance and equity. Stop squeezing into a design that wasn't made for you and start running in a brand that actually knows your name.

Learn more about Hettas at: https://www.instagram.com/wear_hettas/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

"We didn't just want a run club; we wanted a support system for Scarborough."

What happens when two runners realize their neighborhood is missing a heartbeat? They build one themselves. In this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Selina and Helga, the visionary co-founders of Scarbororuns, to celebrate a major milestone: their second anniversary.

What started as a chance meeting while training at Thompson Park has evolved into a movement. Selina and Helga share the "origin story" of Scarbororuns, detailing how they identified a gap in the Scarborough fitness scene and decided to fill it—one stride at a time.

What's Inside the Episode:
- From Solo to Social: How a cold winter meetup transformed into a thriving community hub.
- The "Sunday Service": A look inside their weekly schedule and why these sessions are about more than just mileage.
- Inclusivity & Leadership: Why social health and local representation are at the core of everything they do.
- The Road Ahead: A sneak peek into their future goals, from charitable initiatives to expanding their footprint across the community.

Whether you're a marathoner or someone looking to take your first step, this conversation is a powerful reminder of how a shared passion for fitness can foster deep resilience and lasting connection.

Learn more about Helga and Selina at: https://www.instagram.com/scarbororuns/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

In this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Judith Kasiama, the visionary founder of Colour the Trails. Based in British Columbia, Judith uses her background in gender studies to bridge the representation gap for BIPOC individuals in adventure media, becoming one of the most influential voices in the outdoor industry.

Highlights:
- Building Community: How Colour the Trails creates safe spaces for trail running, mountain biking, and skiing.
- True Allyship: Moving beyond performative gestures toward active listening and genuine trust.
- Enriching Nature: Why diversity isn't a zero-sum game, but a way to add new perspectives and shared joy to the trails.

Judith reminds us that representation provides "permission" to explore. It's time to move toward genuine inclusion and a more vibrant, collective outdoor experience.

Learn more about Judith at: https://www.instagram.com/jujumil/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

What happens when you trade a destructive chase for a 100-mile journey?

This week on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Kofi Ayinde to discuss the transformative power of the trail. Kofi opens up about his journey to sobriety and how the grueling demands of ultra-running provided a healthy outlet for the dopamine hits he once sought elsewhere.

Highlights:
- The Dopamine Shift: How Kofi redirected his brain's reward system toward endurance and resilience.
- Wabi Sabi on the Trail: Embracing life's imperfections to overcome the mental hurdles of long-distance running.
- Community & Inclusion: A look at the inclusive culture at Sulphur Springs and the importance of diversity in the sport.
- The Road to Canyons 100: Kofi reflects on the emotional strategies required to tackle his first 100-mile finish line.

And make sure to check out https://www.instagram.com/outrunthedarkness/

Kofi's story is a powerful reminder that running isn't just about the miles—it's about discovering who you are when everything else is stripped away.

Learn more about Kofi at: https://www.instagram.com/run.kofi.run/

Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership

Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/