Contender: Stephen

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Hi, I’m Steve – looking forward to meeting everybody, I’ve heard it’s a great event.

For rookie Stephen Benn, the Dopey Challenge is just a warmup for ENDURrun 😉

How did you find out about ENDURrun? Heather and Andrew Heij

What convinced you to take the plunge? A few too many beverages

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? None, until the Heij’s came over for a swim on 10K Saturday

What advice have you been collecting? What are your sources? Just trying to figure out how to survive!

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Sometimes it’s kind of fun to do the impossible

What are you nervous about, if anything? Heidelberg

What is your runner profile? A friend convinced me to do a half at Disney, my first race. I’ve never done a race longer than 10K outside Disney

What else would you like to share? Every single half I’ve done, I’ve been dressed as Donald Duck

Contender: Diane

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Hello, my name is Diane. I moved to the Waterloo region 15 years ago where I met wonderful people via the running community.

We’re really excited that Diane Lacombe was able to make such good use of our Pacer policy last year, and one year later join the field!

How did you find out about ENDURrun? My friends

What convinced you to take the plunge? I paced my friend Dee last year and I think it was the endorphins registering

What advice have you been collecting? Following the Facebook page, talking to past participants

What are you still hoping to learn by August? How to be calm before every stage

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? After pacing a friend last year and experiencing the challenges, the complexity and difficulty of this race, I decided to register. My goals are to finish all events within the time limit, not getting injured and most importantly trying to have fun along the way with this unbelievable group of runners.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? I am not sure as I am nervous about the week.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Not making the cutoff times

Can you share any details of your training?
What is your runner profile? How long have you been running, general mileage, surfaces, etc.

Contender: Tyler

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I can’t wait to see everyone in August at the start of this event. I’m looking forward to running (suffering) with all of you and enjoy the sense of accomplishment at the end of the marathon.

Tyler Dalton has only been running in Run Waterloo for 14 months, but he’s already a regular. Welcome to ENDURrun Tyler!

How did you find out about ENDURrun? After I signed up for my first Run Waterloo event I looked to see what other races they had.

What convinced you to take the plunge? I wanted to take on the challenge. It looked like a very unique experience from the outside that I wanted to see for myself.

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? I may have done some digital creeping through social media during the 2018 event.

What advice have you been collecting? Run. A lot. Get time in on trails and hills. Get used to running on tired legs. The EndurRun facebook group has been great for tips. Members of H+P have been great for sharing their past experiences and tips as well.

What are you still hoping to learn by August? How to deal with the heat.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Before I signed up for the 2019 event I was barely a runner. I would maybe run once or twice a week and not very committed. The day after the 2018 event I signed up for the next EndurRun and joined H+P. Since then I have been running consistently, been to many races and am enjoy putting on the kilometers. Running has become a big part of my life.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? The camaraderie with other Ultimates. Eating a lot. Need to replace those calories burned.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Hitting the wall during the marathon.

Can you share any details of your training? Running with H+P as much as I can. I’m slowly increasing weekly mileage and going to start running more trails and hills.

What is your runner profile? I’ve been running for a couple years now. The last year I’ve been more committed. I’m trying to get out about 4 or 5 times a week. I enjoy running the many trails we have here in Kitchener Waterloo.

Contender: Reza

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Hi, I’m Reza!

Reza Saputra is a high mileage runner who has become a main character in Run Waterloo over the past few years. He got hooked on ENDURrun last year and we’re excited to see what he can do!

How did you find out about ENDURrun? Run Waterloo

What convinced you to take the plunge? Cuz I’m crazy

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? Volunteering last year, it’s very cool!

What advice have you been collecting? What are your sources? I got some advice from Endurrun veterans, well, it’s secret.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Food

What are you nervous about, if anything? Not nervous

Can you share any details of your training? Mileage is king, I do up to 200km/week with B2B2B2B2B Long runs, and I have completed a 100 mile ultra!

What is your runner profile? I’ve been running for 4 years, mileage is about 5500km/year, mostly road, but I begin to like hills and trails.

Contender: Will

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So excited to see you all in Conestogo!

What we’re losing in our livestream, we are gaining in having the fit and focused William Spaetzel back in the field for his third Ultimate!

How is your training going? I’ve been doing a lot more team workouts to get the speed up and have added weight training and a focus on weight loss. Doing intervals once or twice a week with H+P. Plan to spend more time on the actual race courses. Goal is a few 90+Km weeks with at least one 100K week.

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? Hope to be a lot faster than previous years.

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Train hard, but don’t stress too hard. The experience of ENDURrun makes the miles go by fast and easily.

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? One of the best weeks of your life

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? The community

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? I am very excited to see how my training for the last year helps me to set big PBs at ENDURrun this year.

What can we follow-up with you about in August for a profile part 2? Did I meet my goals for the event?

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Testing my fitness and training

What are you nervous about, if anything? I know I’ve got the endurance to finish, but can I finish while also focusing on my speed goals?

What is your runner profile? I’ve been running for almost 10 years. Usually road, but have been doing more trail lately. Ran my first ultramarathon in 2017 and have dreams of completing a 100 miler some day.

Contender: Robin

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Oh boy! Hello everyone! Hope to love you all!

Robin Richard-Campeau is the 2019 field’s second fastest man by ENDURrun PB. Through the injuries we know he’s going to give it his best effort and we’re excited to have him back for 2019!

How is your training going? Because of plantar fasciitis and broken bones in both feet, it cannot be perfect. Could be worst. I do run 130 per week on average with week as high as 200+ and as not low as 90km. I do 3 session with intensity per week (one short and fast intervals, one of long tempo runs and one in the middle). I will simulate the Endurrun mid-July with a 8 days plan matching the Endurrun but 3/4 of each stage (for example, 15k insteand of 21, 12k hilly road instead of 16, 18k trail instead of 25)

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? Going there without the previous expectations. Focus is more on feeling it again with the people, taking the week as a glimpse of the perfect life, and not going there as focus on performance as I have been before. That said, I am still a goal-oriented guy, so I may still try to get some stages or overall PBs…

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Warm-up and cool-down on each stage as you would for any other regular race; visit next day course every previous afternoon; don’t panic if you cannot even walk because of sore leg on the morning of stage 7

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? To discover that what everyone will tell you is true: it is a huge human, and social, experience. And that you are stronger than you think you are when people around you are so supportive and inspiring

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? Lloyd as a role model! (am I really doing a joke here? Not sure) Seriously, all the attractions around Waterloo/Kitchener: there is so few that it is perfect to live the life of a running monk and to bond with people

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Well, that may sounds a bit cocky, but I am not… I got second place and the rookie award on my first try in 2012; then got second again in 2015. I don’t aim at the gold jersey since I am used to be being a Bob (either Jackman or Brouillette). For 2019, I don’t take at all for granted a second or third place finish. I will not toe the line with that kind of goal in mind. But I may have the male master award in mind since I am not turning 40. All that said, I will look for a third sub 11:30. But if all those small goals fall along the way or during summer, I will toe the line just for the sake of the experience to compete with so many inspiring runners.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? People

What are you nervous about, if anything? Bechtel. It is already a love-hate affair between us

What is your runner profile? Started running 27 years ago; pushed my body a lot since then with track, cross, road with anything from 800m to ultras. Will toe the line in August with 90 000 km behind my belt since I started. I also did coach several athletes in the last 20 years (founded a running club)

Contender: Nick

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Hello, I’m Nick!

Nick Burt burst onto the scene in 2017 as the 13th fastest man ever. After taking a 45 minute setback last year, he’s back for the trilogy in 2019!

How is your training going? I was hoping to hit some higher mileage (mid/low 100k weeks), but I’ve been having an issue with my left tibia and I didn’t want to push it. I’m still happy with my training; I ended up doing some high-ish mileage weeks (80/90k) with a planned down week every third week, and I was able to keep that up for quite a long stretch of time.

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? For sure better than 2018. I had a good performance in 2017 which will be hard to beat, but I really want to crush it. I will test my speed at the H+P trackfest next week, and then depending on how I feel at Stage 1, that’s when I will consider chasing my 2017 PB.

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Start early, build slowly and develop a large base mileage before starting serious workouts. Sleep and nutrition are extremely important. I also strongly suggest doing training runs at some of the harder stages like Chicopee.

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? Awesomeness.

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? It’s a huge accomplishment and there are soooo many supportive people that remind me of that fact at every stage.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? 2018 was fun, but my goal for this year will be to make it more competitive.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Beating my 2017 time, and having lots of fast people to push me.

What are you nervous about, if anything? The last year has been a back and forth of really good training and absolutely no training due to injuries. I’m nervous my most recent one will pop up again.

Contender: Maureen

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Hi. I am Slow Moe. I am an ENDURrunner. I’m told that recovery starts with admission of the addiction.

We are thrilled to have Maureen Pecknold back in the field for number nine! Maureen has improved in time each of the past two years.

How is your training going? Won’t know for sure until I get to Chicopee!

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? Hopefully favourably

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Have fun, eat a lot of food and thank the volunteers

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? Having fun, eating a lot of food and fantastic volunteers – and the unexpected

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? The people, of course!

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? Too many to list here, but the best stories are the people.

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Seeing everyone again and having fun on the course

What are you nervous about, if anything? EVERYTHING!!!!

Can you share any details of your training? I try to do a lot of running.

What else would you like to share? my love of ENDURrun!

Contender: Antoine

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Hi all! I’m excited to be an ultimate contender this year.

Antoine Gauthier is relatively new to Run Waterloo, but in that time has become a strong member of the community, including with ENDURrun, Running Rarebits, Happy Trails, etc. Welcome Antoine!

What is your runner profile? I was a hiker in my past life (until 2017, I love the Adirondacks and the Whites). After moving to Waterloo, I needed a new challenge and compensated elevation with distance. I decided to run my first ultramarathon 5 months after starting to run (The Beav in Nov 2018). 2019 will see lots of trail races and training runs on dirt roads.

How did you find out about ENDURrun? When I moved to Waterloo in April 2018, I discovered Run Waterloo and all the races it organizes. I raced as much of its races as I could, including two ENDURrun stages.

What convinced you to take the plunge? Sometimes its better not to ask any questions and just do it 🙂 Despite being hard stages, I had so much fun at Bechtel and Chicopee I had to sign up for the whole thing. ENDURrun has everything of a world-class event: amazing organizers and volunteers, great courses and the best post-race food!

What exposure did you have to ENDURrun 2018? I participated in two stages, Bechtel and Chicopee. I followed online from work the other days.

What advice have you been collecting? Dave Rutherford and Jack Kilisian post enough on Facebook/Instagram that you don’t need a coach, LOL. Just do whatever they do.

What are you still hoping to learn by August? To not give all I have in the half-marathon, otherwise it will be a LONG week.

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? 2019 is a big ultramarathon season for me with several 50km to 50mi races lined up from May-November. I see the ENDURrun as an ultra, but also as a training camp. I would like to beat my times from 2018, but I will not be disappointed if I don’t. All I want is to come out stronger.

What can we follow-up with you about in August for a profile part 2? Make sure I sign up for 2020!

What are you most looking forward to about ENDURrun 2019? Joining the ENDURrun family and finally wearing the 2018 t-shirt I got as a guest runner (although I did secretly wear it in Champagne, no chance of seeing another ENDURrunner there)

What are you nervous about, if anything? Nothing. It’s not about overconfidence, but knowing anyone can overcome any challenge, no matter how big.

Can you share any details of your training? I run as much as I can.

Anything else? I ran a few ultramarathons, but the ENDURrun marathon will be my first!

Contender: Paul

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Hi I’m Paul (aka “rungeek”). I’m happy to be coming back for my 6th ENDURrun Ultimate.

Paul Mora is another one of our most veteran alumni, having completed the Ultimate as far back as 2009!

How is your training going? Training is so-so. Having some injury issues, but hope to be able to finish all the stages. My training involved trail runs, hilly runs, and back to back runs. I also added strength training into the mix, which is new. I have no simulations scheduled, but may add something in June or early July.

How will your ENDURrun 2019 compare to previous years? I hope it will be like 2012 ENDURrun, but depends on injury management

What are the key pieces of advice to Rookies that you’ve learned over the years? Run lots of trails and hills in the heat, and double runs.

For someone who has never been to ENDURrun week, what should they expect? Camaraderie like no other event. Be prepared to get 25-50 new social media friends. The ENDURrun is essentially running camp.

What about ENDURrun keeps you coming back? The hospitality of the Schmidt family and friends, the friendship of my co-runners, the beauty of the Conestogo area. Oh, and the food! SO GOOD!

What are your ENDURrun 2019 stories? I didn’t run the ENDURrun last year, but I volunteered at a water station. My goal was to break 17 hours cumulative time. That may be a stretch this year, but I’ll give it my best shot. Also, I missed hanging around with everyone at the event. It will be like a family reunion.

What are you nervous about, if anything? Stages 3 and 5.

What else would you like to share? Looking forward to beer floats at the Huether Hotel!