For many runners, there’s a magical moment during a long run when everything seems to fall into place. This occurs when they focus on the rhythm of their feet hitting the pavement and their steady breathing, allowing the world around them to fade. This exhilarating feeling, often described as a euphoric state of bliss, is known as “runner’s high.” But what exactly is runner’s high and how does it occur?  What is Runner’s High and How Does it Work? Runner’s high refers to a euphoric sensation many experience during or after prolonged aerobic exercises, particularly running. People often de ..read more

As the trend of “Running is the New Dating App” gains momentum, it has brought about a significant shift in the running community. What was once a purely community-driven activity is now increasingly seen as an opportunity for socializing and dating. While this trend offers new ways to connect, it also introduces risks for vulnerable runners who seek the health benefits, sense of community, and personal safety that running with a group traditionally provides. Let’s dive into how this trend is affecting the running scene and what we can do to keep it safe and welcoming for everyone. SAFE SPACES ..read more

Malindi Elmore has run five of the ten fastest women’s marathons in Canadian history and finished ninth at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She cites big dreams for helping her elevate our sport. Elmore: three time Olympian, fastest Canadian woman ever at Boston and preparing to run the marathon—at 44—at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Ahead of her historic journey, iRun caught up with Elmore and asked her to take the temperature of our world.  iRun: Your third Olympic Games start in a month, how do you feel?  Malindi Elmore: At 20-years-old I certainly never imagined I’d be goi ..read more

It’s a great time for running. Attendance is up at races, and new people are becoming involved. Many of us are excited about the approaching Olympic and Paralympic Games, and over and over again we hear about gender parity and an equal number of men and women competing in the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.  Many women reading this, however, face a number of barriers that prevent them from reaching a level of fitness, activity, or running they wish could. While research has been done on the barriers to exercise for women, to date not much has been shared on how to overcome these barriers—no to ..read more

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. Leading into Toronto’s big race, 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 t ..read more

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. Like a revelation, 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. IF THE SHOE FITS: The METASPEED EDGE PARIS, as seen from the backside. The most advanced, lightweight and high-performance shoe in the ASICS stable, it ..read more

When Noemie Villemure-Poliquin moved to Toronto, she wasn’t looking for love. Relocating from Quebec City to work on her PhD, the 30-year-old wanted to find a way to make local friends. So, leveraging her passion for running, she decided to start a 6am run club, which is where Adam Lu, 24, first laid eyes on her. The pair soon found themselves running together—but it was clear that the friendship was primed to grow into a committed relationship.  The pandemic shifted many aspects of our lives—one of the most notable is dating. While people turned to dating apps, now that people are cravi ..read more

Fifty years ago, I bought my first pair of ASICS shoes and I have owned over seventy-five pairs since. I’ve worn them in twenty-four marathons in eleven countries. I have nodded knowingly to runners in Buenos Aires, Reykjavik, Budapest and Berlin when we notice we are wearing the same shoes. I wear them because they are a lifelong trusted friend. In the mid ’70s, they were known as Onitsuka Tiger shoes. Shortly thereafter, the brand became ASICS Tiger. Surprisingly, long before my marathoning career, my first ASICS purchase was wrestling shoes that I used to win the GMIAA (Greater Montreal Int ..read more

Simone Plourde, a middle-distance runner with a 4:05.92PB in the 1500m, is attempting to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Plourde, currently ranked thirty-ninth, needs either accumulated points or a time under 4:02 to earn an international flight to the Games. On June 21, she’s competing in the Montreal Athletics Classic and on June 29, she’ll line up at the Olympic Trials at the Claude-Robillard Center. “I’ll give everything I have on the start line,” says Plourde, 23, who’s in a comfortable position points-wise to achieve her goal, but still aims to run the 1500m beneath the standar ..read more

‘It doesn’t matter if you’re running for the first time, stepping out after a long break, or trying to rekindle your motivation, it’s a new day and a new start. You don’t have to run a certain number of days a week or a set mileage. All of this is irrelevant. You do you. You can do it. Just run.’ I didn’t feel like a runner when I pulled on my cotton leggings and a hoodie. Despite my self-doubt, I laced up my old, uncomfortable running shoes and headed out, seeking a mental break from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. I live in Lincolnshire, England, but I was born and raised in Estonia ..read more