Contender: Sharon

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Hiya! Good luck everyone – I look forward to eating your dust again. See you in a few weeks!

Sharon Ditner got her feet wet with ENDURrun through the old Sport category. Now she’s back for a second Ultimate with an impressive goal!

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Hope to raise some money for the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis Centre (GWWICC) services and programs. They do some great work! Check their website out!

Besides training, what will be the same and/or different about this Ultimate compared to last year? This year I am fundraising for GWWICC. I’ve nearly assembled a 6 x 5km relay team made up of (mainly non-runner) fundraising coworkers to join us at Bechtel Park so hopefully that happens because they’d get a unique ENDURrun experience.

How were you feeling in the days and weeks following your first Ultimate completion? Proud and grateful. I was missing the Run Waterloo Community so I volunteered at the Harvest Half a few weeks later just to keep the party going!

Contender: Michael

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Hi everyone! My name’s Mikey and I’m an ENDURookie! I’m looking forward to seeing you out there, either running with me, or as a volunteer, or cheering us on.

Michael Klein is new to ENDURrun with a ton of support behind him. Welcome Mikey!

How did you find out about ENDURrun? My running crew in the Running Rarebits

What convinced you to take the plunge? Personal Challenge – Friends Support

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? No exposure to last year’s race, no.

What advice have you been collecting? Running on sore legs day after day, working with different terrain for different lengths and getting those KM’s up. My sources have been Deidre, Merlin, and a large group of veteran Endurruners that are in my Rarebits Crew!

What are you still hoping to learn by August? by August I am hoping to learn how to pace myself at the start for the larger, more lengthy Stages them just diving in.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Well I will admit, the mental confidence is there, but the motivation from my fellow runners has been the best feeling ever!
My motivation for ENDURRun is simple: Get into the best shape of my life, and have an absolute blast while doing it.
My goals? Honestly, to finish all the stages. Finish them exactly as planned months ago? Not sure yet.

What can we follow-up with you about in August for a profile part 2? See how much sweat I can lose from my body over the course of 160 km’s!

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? I am looking forward to kicking ass at Bechtel Park and Wilmot Line, but the most fun will be tackling all this with a large group of intense people.

What are you nervous about, if anything? I am nervous about the final Stage, the Marathon at the end. There’s so many factors, heat, injury, and you just don’t know until the day of how much of a feat it will really be.

Can you share any details of your training? As a rookie, it’s impossible to know if this is enough but here we go:
70-90 km per week of running, mix of trails and road running, with Wilmot each week.
– I have my favourite treacherous trail in Guelph where I am getting pummeled by rocks and roots each week.
– Weight training at the gym, taking care of my hips.
– The sauna is my friend a couple times a week.

What is your runner profile? I’ve been running for 7 years – Outdoor Adventure Races to start (Spartan Spring, Spartan Beast, Tough Mudder) then moved into longer races (Harvest Half, , Arc Race Syracuse, Toronto Waterfront Marathon) and recently took to the trails with Conquer the Canuck in 2019.

What else would you like to share? I think I’m the only one running with both a theatre degree and 12 years of musical theatre experience (RENT, Jack Black in SCHOOL OF ROCK, Donkey in SHREK). I doubt that will give me any extra speed, but at least i’ll be making everyone laugh the whole time !

Contender: Costas

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I am an avid long-distance runner, and having been running for over 25 years. I will be completing my 40th Marathon in the Ultimate, all before I turn 40 years old. I plan on expanding my running experiences to ultra marathons in 2020.

We’re thrilled to have Costas Farassoglou back back this year. He has the chance to set the record for most time between Ultimate completions (2009 – 2019)!

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? My goal is to enjoy the challenging and rewarding journey, while making connections with old and new running friends, the Schmidt Family and the volunteers.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Completing the Ultimate, and finishing the Ultimate with my 40th Marathon before the age of 40. Also, I am looking to connecting with old and new running friends, volunteers and the Schmidt Family.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Bechtel (Stage 3) scares me the most. I have only completed it once (2009), and pacing will be crucial.

Can you share any details of your training? I currently run 40-50km per week due to my crazy work schedule. I try to do my long runs on my off days, which can be weekends or during the week. For the most part, I throw in various runs with hills and trails.

You’ve trained for Ultimate before. What did you learn that you will build from (or avoid) this time around? Hills and trail races play an important role in the Ultimate, especially Stage 3 and 5. This time around, I will practice the hills a lot more. Also, I learned from the first time that it is best to conserve your energy in the early stages for the “tough” stages near the end of the week.

Besides training, what will be the same and/or different about this Ultimate compared to your first completion? I completed my first Ultimate 10 years ago (2009). I was much younger and had a lot more speed. Over the last ten years, I have learned that the beauty in running is enjoying the journey along the way.

What is the one piece of advice that you’re glad you knew/you wish you knew before your first completion? I wish that I knew that your body can handle a lot of stress. For instance, the first couple of stages in my Ultimate in 2009, I struggled physically and mentally to bring the times that I wanted. What I found out was that as I became more mentally strong, my body followed. I actually got stronger near the latter part of the Ultimate competition.

How were you feeling in the days and weeks following your first Ultimate completion? I was thrilled to have finished the Ultimate, but felt Ultimate letdown in the coming weeks. I met such amazing people during the week, and we build close relationships. After the race, we knew we had to go back to our regular lives.

What is your runner profile? I am an experienced marathoner (38) with over 25 years of running experience. I have raced from 5K to 42.2K on all kinds of surfaces including gravel, trails, roads, pathways, etc. My main goal is to complete 40 Marathons and 40 Half-Marathons before the age of 40. I love to travel, discover new places and run marathons at the same time. I have completed the Authentic Athens Marathon (2nd Marathon), and that was really special because I am Greek and the finish was the white marble Panathinaiko stadium in Athens, Greece (site of first Modern Olympics in 1896).

Final 2019 Participant Info Package

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For a complete list of rules, start times, cutoff times, directions, etc., this booklet is your guide to the week.

Link to the ENDURrun Booklet 2019 PDF

Especially for newcomers to the event, keep this PDF handy on your phone all week.

To our returning participants: there are a few changes of note in this booklet with respect to 2018. Stage 2 is in Cambridge and Stage 6 is on a track. There is a tweak to the grass trail section at Stage 3. Dollar Pacers are now Toonie Pacers. Lots of enhanced rules including timing, pacing, and track. It also includes track etiquette.

Let us know what you think on Facebook!

Contender: Patrick R

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Hi I’m Pat Robitaille and I am excited to join my first ENDURrun Ultimate

Patrick Robitaille is a rookie with a familiar story – joining close to two dozen couples to complete the Ultimate challenge! Welcome Patrick!

How did you find out about ENDURrun? Wife Amy ran some guest stages for a few years and then she raced in the Ultimate (2017). I know others from The Guelph Victors and Discomfort Zone Multisport who have also participated.

What convinced you to take the plunge? Subtle nudges from Amy!

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? Have followed other’s race stories for a couple years

What advice have you been collecting? Primarily Amy’s input and the Facebook group

What are you still hoping to learn by August? The art of recovering well and starting the next day ready to roll!

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Goal: To have a good time, smile through some tough running and make it to the daily buffet table!
Motivations: Wow, thinking of this, makes me realize there are lots of things that push me to lace up my shoes and participate; my own physical fitness goals, trying to set a healthy example of daily activity for my kids (..or to keep up to them, rather..) to honour those that can’t participate in activities that I can often take for granted. All these things may help me keep my spirits high when the running gets tough.

What can we follow-up with you about in August for a profile part 2? Ask me if I’d rather be running or skiing at Chicopee?
If August is really hot, Ask me if I went to the Farm Supply Store for a big salt-lick-block and an ice-bath trough.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Meeting some great running pals.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Yup, a bit of nerves: I’ve enjoyed running/training and racing for many years, but this’ll be some new territory for sure. Both in weekly volume and repetitiveness of the weekly Stages.

Can you share any details of your training? I mix it up each week, but incorporate at least one Run, bike and swim, sometimes two of those activities 6 days a week. My volume has increased steadily since the winter.

What is your runner profile? Have always enjoyed running, have trained and raced more consistently the last 8 years. I’m as happy to run on roads as I am to get muddy on trails. I *like* Guelph Victors track workouts and benefit from having my wife toy with me as she drags me around country roads for faster long runs. Running routine changes often due to work and kids commitments, but each week I try to blend a long run, track or speed workout, some easier runs for recovery and a tempo or hilly run.

Contender: Michelle

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Hi everyone! I’m back!

For those who are new, I’m the one who’ll be last to finish each leg. I don’t mind; someone has to lead the procession of police cars at the end of Stage 4. Again. I’m in it for the social aspect and the bragging rights (what, you ran how far?). I’m not a great runner like some of you, but I do what I can and feel a sense of accomplishment with each stage. I look forward to cheering you all on as you pass me and know that I’ll have the biggest cheering section when I come in because everyone else will already be waiting for me at the finish.

We are so glad to have five-time finisher Michelle Barnes back in 2019!! We missed you last year!

How is your training going? Too many issues to mention, so I know that I will DNF for time, but I will finish the distance!

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? It will be slow but fun.

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Get to know everyone, especially the volunteers. This isn’t just a ‘come out and run’ event; this is a family reunion and everyone who participates is part of the family.

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? Joy, more support than you can imagine, heat, rain (at Bechtel), high fives, pride in your accomplishment, sore feet, quads on fire for days after Chicopee, amazing food, the world’s best volunteers, new friends for life, and the belief that you can take on any challenge. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you preregister for next year before the week is out.

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? For this turtle, it is the feeling that even though I am not one of the elite I am treated as though I am. I feel as though I belong and that I matter.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? If I can finish the first two stages within the time limit then I will feel good. I don’t think I’ll finish Bechtel in time given my too-rough-too-talk-about-here year, but I’ll still do 10K on Saturday even if I’m technically out. My goal is to run 160 km over the week, be it as an Ultimate finisher or not.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Seeing my running family again.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Finishing. I had a rough year.

What is your runner profile? This is my sixth Ultimate, and I still don’t feel as though I really know what I am doing.

What else would you like to share?I didn’t participate last year and felt the biggest sense of regret. I decided that I’d rather DNF this year than not register. I have done the ENDURrun often enough that when training I will actually picture certain stages of the event as I run.

Contender: Chris M

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Hello fellow people that run! I saw you all having so much fun at this event that I walked up to Lloyd before the marathon stage was even over and told him I wanted to be one of the charity spots for 2019. I’ve always been able to give back to my community through running and this race will be no different as I proudly fundraise for KidsAbility through ENDURrun.

Chris Mintz is true leader in the running community and having him in the field is a big coup for ENDURrun 🙂

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? Guest runner, pacer, aid station help, on course photography.

What convinced you to take the plunge? People looked like they were having a lot of fun. I like fun.

What advice have you been collecting? Be sure to wear your favourite underwear on race days. You’ll need all the good luck you can get. Source: Dee Large

What are you still hoping to learn by August? Hoping to learn how I can combine my love of running with my love of charity as I work on my fundraising for KidsAbility heading into August.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? My goal is to raise as much as I can for KidsAbility, a charity that levels the playing field for youth here in the Waterloo Region.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? The Chicopee stage. Love those hills.

Can you share any details of your training? I favour a good mix of mid mileage weeks and general strength training.

What is your runner profile? Been running forever, racing for 10 years. Leaning more towards trail these days but still love a good speedy road run to get the wind flowing through my beard.

What else would you like to share? The joy I have in my big runner’s heart.

Contender: Mitch

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Good luck to all participants and I hope you reach your own personal goals.

Mitch Wilson is a long-time Run Waterloo runner who has run Chicopee for a relay team the past two years. No relay team this year, no problem!

What convinced you to take the plunge? My wife said she would pay for my registration and I was inspired by all the competitors

What advice have you been collecting? I have been following the ENDURrun Facebook page

What are you still hoping to learn by August? Whether ultimate running is something I will like and continue to do afterward

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? To be competitive and finish each race feeling well enough to be looking forward to the next day – if that’s possible

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? The friendly competition and testing my endurance

What are you nervous about, if anything? How I will feel during the later stages of the race and hoping I don’t injure myself along the way.

Can you share any details of your training? My training consisted of 2-4 runs per week beginning in April. Distances fluctuated between 8-15kms. I worked on making my last km as quick as my first. I also continued my workouts at Orange Theory Fitness 1-2 times per week.

What is your runner profile? I ran a lot in my late teens/early twenties but got away from it for many years. Picked it up again in my late forties when my wife expressed an interest and suggested it was something we could do together.

Contender: Ashley

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Hello! Welcome to the dark side. We have cookies.

Ashley Sametz is one of only four people all-time who have DNFed Stage 7, and we can’t even pretend to know what that feels like. We’re really glad to have you back the next year!

You’ve trained for Ultimate before. What did you learn that you will build from (or avoid) this time around? I DNF’d with 12k left at the Marathon last year. I learned that sometimes, it’s not your day. If things don’t feel right from the start, just slow it down and try to buddy up if you can.

Besides training, what will be the same and/or different about this Ultimate compared to your first completion? I’m hungrier. From a performance perspective, I mean. I can always eat.

What is the one piece of advice that you’re glad you knew/you wish you knew before your first completion? Run your own race. It’s easy to get caught up in the speed demons and push too hard too soon. Remember: YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS OF THIS LUNACY. Slow down *Unless you’re Robyn or Rob or Val

How were you feeling in the days and weeks following your first Ultimate completion? Even with the DNF, I felt pretty good. The ENDURrun family won’t let you feel low for long. And then I registered for 2019 when I got home. I also felt oddly motivated and excited for my next race, which was Haliburton 50 Miler… which was the best and most comfortable 50 miler I’ve ever run.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Get it done. Laugh a lot. Make new friends. Don’t push too hard… I have a 100 mile race 6 days after Endurrun finishes, so I’m mostly looking forward to getting a lot of fun motivation from the Endurrun family.

What can we follow-up with you about in August for a profile part 2? Whether or not I survived running 200 miles in the span of 14 days.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? The people. Lloyd’s jokes. The tanlines.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Injuries… but I figure if i go slow enough, we should be ok.

Can you share any details of your training? Lots of 50ks and a few back to back long runs, including Conquer the Canuck Ultimate weekend, which I’ve never done before! I’m also really enjoying a hamstring injury, so I’ve actually started stretching and doing physio…which is something I’ve avoided for 35 years.

What is your runner profile? The laziest ultra runner you’ll ever meet. I’ll do maybe 40k a week (I work 3 jobs and have a kid and dogs, so it’s mostly treadmill), and a “heavy” week is 80K. I run on anything, but prefer trails (Which is why I love Chicopee and Bechtel!). I’ve been running for about 20 years.

What else would you like to share? Guys. GUYS. I’m so excited to see you all again. Please have donuts at the 10k TT 🙂

Contender: Bill

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So looking forward to hitting the courses with you all again!

Bill Dost had a rough finish in 2018, but he has the experience and motivation (and training and health) to make 2019 a killer! So glad to have you back for the week Bill.

How is your training going? All good

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? Best year ever

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Don’t. Ever. Quit.

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? Community. Pain. Mental Toughness.

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? Lloyd and family Schmidt. Other runners year by year

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? After the challenge it was to finish last year, i’m Simply looking forward to running with the pack!

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Finishing without cellulitis!!!

What are you nervous about, if anything? Don’t get nervous

Can you share any details of your training? On top of all the training i’m Running 2.5M every night barefoot on a treadmill. Hoping to toughen my feet up

What is your runner profile? Been running all my life