EP 183: Dekel Chui, Athletics Ontario Running Ambassador - Running for Joy (and RUNTOBEER)
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Release Date: 07/31/2025
EP 204: Eric D'Arcy, Crazy Cat Adventures - Conquering the Ribbon: Ontario's Home-Grown 200-Mile Challenge
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Are you ready to test your limits right here in Ontario? Prepare for the ultimate test of endurance! We are joined by Race Director Eric D'Arcy of Crazy Cat Adventures to unveil The Ribbon 200—a grueling new ultra-challenge launching in June 2026. This isn't just a race; it is a wilderness odyssey featuring Ontario’s only point-to-point 100-miler and a massive 200-mile out-and-back beast. Eric breaks down the punishing 24,000 feet of elevation gain and the raw beauty of the Bruce Trail from the Blue Mountains to the Caledon Hills. We dive into the event's unique "White Blaze"...
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EP 203: Jovica "Yatzi" Savic - The 51.9K Charity Challenge: Yatzi Runs to Give Back to Home
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
"Gratitude is what drives me." This week, we are joined by Jovica Savic (Yatzi) to discuss his incredible journey from fleeing war in the former Yugoslavia to becoming a pillar of the Kitchener-Waterloo running community. What makes you lace up your shoes? For Yatzi, the answer went far beyond fitness—it became about survival for his neighbors. On this week's episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we explore how one runner’s deep sense of gratitude for his life in Canada sparked a movement in Kitchener-Waterloo. Disturbed by the sight of individuals suffering through severe...
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EP 202: Andrew Kim - From the Floor at Runners' Choice Waterloo: The Best Gifts for Runners
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
What happens when a casual 10K bet among friends turns into a complete lifestyle overhaul? On this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, host John Shep sits down with Andrew Kim from Runners' Choice Waterloo to trace his incredible journey. From his first strides in 2020 to shedding weight and shifting careers, Andrew shares how running became the catalyst for a new life. We dive into how he utilized social media for accountability, leading to partnerships with major brands like Lululemon and Strava, and how he tackled numerous marathons and ultras along the way. Plus, just in time...
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EP 201: Michelle and Kim Krezonoski - Twin Power: Racing and the Launch of Pairr Socks
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
What does it take to turn a lifetime of running into a thriving business? This week on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we are joined by the dynamic duo, Kim and Michelle Krezonoski. From their roots in Northern Ontario to the streets of the 2024 Boston Marathon, the sisters share how they’ve evolved from competitive athletes to business owners. In this episode, we cover: - The Boston Experience: Reflections on running one of the world's most prestigious marathons. - The Balancing Act: Strategies for juggling full-time jobs, coaching, and elite training without burning out. -...
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EP 200: Lanni Marchant - Lanni 3.0: Proving Herself Right
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
"I stopped trying to prove them wrong, and started trying to prove myself right." Lanni Marchant’s athletic evolution is nothing short of inspiring. In this 200th episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, the Rio 2016 Olympian and one of Canada's fastest women gets vulnerable about the reality of professional running and opens up candidly about the hurdles she faced off the track. We dive deep into Lanni's unconventional start, her candid and ongoing recovery from an eating disorder, and the resilience required to bounce back from injury. Now in her forties, Lanni explains why...
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EP 199: Tara Logue, Run905 Crew NMKT - No Runner Left Behind: Pace Inclusiveness, Vulnerability, and Movember
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Join us for an inspiring conversation on this week's episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast with Tara Logue, leader of the Run905 crew in Newmarket! Tara recounts her unexpected running start, which began with a half marathon challenge. Hear how her husband's unwavering support helped her navigate the journey despite their different speeds. The core of this episode is Run905's pace-inclusive philosophy. Tara explains how welcoming all paces has been key to the club's success. She shares her experience running the Chicago Marathon over seven hours, advocating powerfully for greater...
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EP 198: Jessica Nguyen, Girls Just Wanna Run Club - Don't Spiral, Evolve: The Power of Running, Self-Care, and Community
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
In this powerful episode, we interview Jessica Nguyen, founder of the Girls Just Wanna Run Club in Newmarket, about building community and protecting your peace. Jessica shares her game-changing philosophy: "Don't Spiral, Evolve." Hear how she pulled herself out of a "dark time" by prioritizing service and giving herself grace for her evolving passions. For her, running is spiritual meditation—a crucial time to "let go" of stress and be present. As a dedicated leader, Jessica stresses that you cannot pour from an empty cup. She lives by the mantra: "If you are going to push really hard, you...
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EP 197: Samir Mourani, Movember - It's Okay Not To Be Okay: The Movement
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Lace up for an inspiring episode with Samir Mourani, the first Canadian Ambassador for Movember! Samir shares his journey from a sporadic gym-goer to an upcoming 50K ultramarathoner this Movember. He's tackling this immense physical challenge to raise crucial awareness and funds for Movember's mental health initiatives. Discover the profound mental and emotional benefits Samir unlocked through consistent running. He discusses how exercise has dramatically improved his productivity, sleep, and overall well-being. We dive into themes of modern masculinity, the strength in emotional...
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EP 196: Kathy Webber and Sean Sharp, N89 - Challenged on the Trail, United by the Community
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Meet Sean Sharp and Kathy Webber, the heart behind N89 Trail Running! Hear Kathy's powerful journey: creating N89, born out of COVID-19 race cancellations. Sean then shares how running helped him overcome a difficult period and why he partnered with Kathy, driven by his love for N89's supportive community focus (especially the Great Mansfield Outdoors). They detail their diverse events: from the beginner-friendly Chill Session 5K & 10K (REGISTER TODAY!!) to intense ultras like the Vertical Challenge and the Utopia Backyard Ultra. Discover how N89 builds a welcoming trail family, offering...
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EP 195: Alejandro De La Cruz, Running Waters - In a New York (Marathon) State of Mind
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Get ready for an episode that's all heart, hustle, and pavement! Host John Shep on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast interviews the insightful Alejandro De La Cruz, co-founder of Running Waters in Durham Region. Alejandro shares his journey from a running novice in San Jose—learning the conversational pace—to becoming a community pillar. Hear how moving to Whitby, Ontario, in March 2020 turned the waterfront trail into his mental health lifeline and forged his runner identity. Dive into the Running Waters founding story and get an exclusive look at his gritty preparation for the New...
info_outlineJoin us on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast as we dive into the world of running with Dekel Chui, one of the 2025-2026 AO Running Ambassadors! Based in Toronto, Dekel embodies the spirit of "running for joy," sharing his journey of rediscovering the sport and finding profound happiness in every stride. We'll explore his incredible feats, including being part of a team that holds two Guinness World Records for the Fastest Marathon and Fastest Half-marathon in a Five-Person Costume (dressed as a Streetcar!).
Beyond the records, Dekel is deeply involved with RunTOBeer (@runtobeer) as a Board of Directors member. Discover how this unique group perfectly blends the joy of running with the camaraderie of post-run socializing. Dekel shares his passion for fostering a more accessible and welcoming running community, where fun and inclusivity are paramount, regardless of pace or ability.
Learn more about Dekel at: https://www.instagram.com/dekelchui/
Want to support Wayne Young, Ajax Spiderman? Check out: https://www.instagram.com/runningbeast666/
Discover more about the Athletics Ontario Running Ambassador Program at https://athleticsontario.ca/road-trail-running/athlete-ambassador-program/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership