New York City Marathon & Hamilton Races
Nov 3/13 - Blustery and a little too cool conditions made for interesting days at both races, but hardly put a damper on the enthusiasm and terrific performances of quite a number of Marathon Dynamics runners.
Karen Soos, Fulvia Manarain & Janet Manley psyching up pre-race in Hamilton...Eric Ambrosimov hoofing it homeward in the Hamilton Half, while Sylvie Beaudet celebrates her debut at the Hamilton Marathon (singlet is under jacket :o)--Go Purple Power!
Congrats to all of you who raced, but especially to the following stand-out performers (alphabetical)
New York City Marathon
Annabelle DeGouveia - 3:54 (PB & Boston Q)
Carol Bagozzi - 4:07
Marie Dupal - 3:39 (Boston Q)
Triina Forbell - 4:25
Julie Grange - 4:14
Diane Grosskopf - 3:56
Sean Hamilton - 4:16
Darryl Leong - 3:48
Carolyn MacFarlane - 4:18
Jose Medellin - 3:35
Danielle Noon - 3:55 (PB)
Ken Ogaki - 5:39 (debut!)
Karen Peesker - 3:50 (Boston Q)
Steven Peros - 3:55 Angela Plata - 5:40 (debut)
Darrel Smith - 3:50
Hamilton Marathon
Michael Andaloro - 3:39 (PB)
Sylvie Beaudet - 4:44 (debut!)
Avery Best - 2:48 (PB, 10th overall, 4th ac)
Luis Franco - 3:22
Leanne Gibson - 3:38 (PB, Boston Q)
Liz Hanson - 3:44 (BQ)
Fulvia Manarin - 3:32 (PB & BQ)
Karen Soos - 3:39 (PB & BQ)
Hamilton Half Marathon
Eric Ambrosimov - 1:43 (best half in years!)
June Barrette - 1:49 (PB)
Trevor Brown - 1:46 (PB)
Jeremy Fitzgerald - 1:47
Allan Goodman - 1:39
Hubert Kowalczyk - 1:25 (PB/6th AC)
Janet Manley - 1:38 (PB)
Marija Radivojevic - 1:29 (PB/3rd AC)
Henry Ritson - 1:45
Caryn Robinson - 2:08 (PB)
Bob White - 2:02 (1st AC)
Katie Thomas ran a super `comeback` 10K in Hamilton of 53 minutes, while over at the super hilly Angus Glen 10K, Tara Laidley ran a brand new 52min PB in the 10K (2nd in age cat), and Anu Bentley strode home in 1:55 on the comeback trail as well. Super strong crew!
2013 Toronto Ekiden Relay Mens & Womens Team Champions!
June 21/13 - Congratulations to all the members of our Mens (1st place), Womens (1st place) and Mixed Teams...you all did Purple Power very proud!
WATERFRONT WEEKEND '13
Oct 20/13 - What an incredible day it was at Waterfront! From "Canadian Soil" marathon records (2:07), to national women's marathon open (2:28 flat) and masters (2:34) records, to tons of great performances and personal bests by the rest of you "mere(ly incredible) mortals", it was a very special day to be a part of for your Marathon Dynamics coaching staff. Congratulations to all!
(top left) Richard St. John hammers to 4th place age cat in 3:36
(top right) Dmitri Toubelis powers to scintillating 1:34 (15min PB!)
Coach Jennifer Faraone - 18:10 for 3rd overall
Cole Grossman - 20:40 for 10th of 240 (under 14, but he's just 11!)
Ken Jacobs - 21:18 (all time PB)
Joe Barth - 1:48 (he's baaa-ack)
Michelle Burka - 2:13 (guts...pure guts!)
Jennifer Fralick - 2:12:04 (4th in AC, nearly all time PB)
Laura Gage - 1:41
Cathy Garrido - 2:04 (all time PB)
Claudette Germain - 2:09 (best in years)
Tanya Grant - 1:49 (all time PB)
Martin Lacasse - 1:41
Nancy Lennon - 1:40
Carolyn MacFarlane - 2:03
Paul Monahan - 1:42
Roz Morton - 1:32 (11th in AC, all time PB)
Deborah Osmond - 1:59 (vindication!)
Steven Peros - 1:37 (all time PB)
Chris Robinson - 1:46 (all time PB)
Claudine Seguin - 1:45 (debut!)
Maureen Stocker - 2:19
Dmitre Toubelis - 1:34 (all time PB)
Bridget Wiley - 1:45 (all time PB, 9th in AC)
Euson Yeung - 1:40 (all time PB)
Jane Davies - 4:47 (9th in AC)
Allan Goodman - 3:37
Kimberly Kane - 3:39 (all time PB, and Boston Q)
Darren Karasiuk - 3:47 (all time PB)
Paul Kundarew - 4:06 (debut)
Nathan Monk - 3:15 (all time PB)
Adrian Muscarel - 3:28 (debut)
Lisa Purves - 3:39 (all time PB, BQ too)
Marija Radivojevic - 3:24 (debut, 11th in AC, BQ!)
Richard St. John - 3:36 (4th in AC)
Natasha Vasiljevic - 3:55 (debut!)
Molly Yuan - 3:39 (all time PB)
"Top 10" list of the insanely great MDI performances
- Paul Jamael - 2:57 (6 minute personal best!)
- Julia Wilkes - 3:19 (16 minute PB?)
- Carolyn Balogh - 3:24 (12 minute PB)
- Andrew Chak - 3:24 (15 minute PB)
- Eric Morris - 3:34 (ties PB, but on sub 3:30 pace till LATE)
- Janice Morris - 3:39 (32 minute PB!!)
- Andrew Wilkes - 3:48 (missed PB, but top 10% of age cat)
- Kelly Zyblock - 3:57 (11 minute PB)
- Janice Fish - 4:09 (the elusive Boston Q achieved!)
- Peter Speight (recent MDI-Alum) 2:50 flat (huge PB)
Below: Janice and Eric Morris share in their triumph, Andrew Chak sports a proud smile with his medal, and Paul Jamael hammers for home out on the course!
May 12/13 - A cool and breezy morning greeted those happy warriors intent on doing battle at one of Canada's fastest 10K courses, and those MDI "Purple Warriors" who ran did NOT disappoint. INCREDIBLE results crew...now for some "non-practising runner" time--i.e. "the off season"!
Franco
is Girard - 38min
Kristin Dalzell - 40min
Eric Morris - 41min
Dmitri Toubelis - 43min
Anglela Ganstal - 44min
Liz Hanson - 45 min
Janice Morris - 46min
Andy Wilkes - 45min
June Barrette - 48 min
Pat Lamanna - 48 min
Claudein Seguin - 48 min
Doris chin - 49 min
Michael Lin - 49 min
Shannon Brooks - 56min
Joanne Karpathiou - 56 min
Cathy Garrido - 56 min
Penny Woodford - 57 min
Claudette Germain 57min
Jennifer Fralkick 60 min
Rafaella Lo - 1:13
Double Header Race Weeekend '13:
Goodlife TO & Mississauga Halfs & Marathons!
May 5/13 Initially promising weather forecasts earlier in the week, turned markedly against us runners this weekend, making it a tough day to run a great half, and an EXTREMELY rough one to even complete a marathon. 18-20C+ temps, and unrelenting sunshine beat down on both races, especially the marathoners, forcing everyone to slow down as the morning wore on. Some unlucky souls even had to abandon their race goals entirely.
However, defying all odds, many Marathon Dynamics "Purple Warriors" still found the resolve and reserves to have FABULOUS races, despite the oppressive warmth and sunniness. Here are the highlights...
Janet Manley, Karen Soos & Fulvia Manarain, thrilled with 3 brand new all-time marathon bests, at the Mississauga Marathon finish line!
Mississauga Marathon:
Avery Best - 2:52 (10th overall)
Janine Moffett (MDI alum, lst yr) - 2:58 (1st woman overall!)
Andrew Auerbach - 3:11 (12 min PB & Boston Qualifier)
Ken Jacobs - 3:25 (27 min PB!)
Janet Manley - 3:33 (10 min PB and 5th in age category)
Fulvia Manarin - 3:35 (all time PB and 6th in AC)
Karen Soos - 3:46 (all time PB)
Danielle Noon - 3:56 (what a debut)
New MDI Runner Andrew Auerbach giving EVERYTHING as he hurtles toward the Missy Marathon finish to earn a 12 min all time PB & Boston Qualifying time too!
Mississauga Half:
Francois Girard - 1:25 (10th overall)
Mike Anderson - 1:33 (all time PB)
Tanya Wharton - 1:34 (all time PB)
Stephen Peros - 1:39 (all time PB)
Nancy Nieweboer - 1:44
Peter Hadzipetros - 1:49
Claudette Germain - 2:11
Coach Kev, along with Susan Hauth, Jacquie Jacobs and Carolyn Bennett--3 of the 25 MDI runners who came out to help at our booth at the Goodlife Toronto Marathon Expo. Thanks to you all--you were awesome!
TO Goodlife Marathon:
Jason Jacobs - 3:22 (all time PB)
Chuck Lee - 3:25
Gregor Stuart - 3:48
Martha Palao - 3:52 (all time PB, 3 weeks after running Boston!)
Gideon Chemel - 4:00 (debut!)
MDI-ers Lucia Mahoney, Diane Tsialtas, Greg Stuart, Sherab Melvin and Mario Viesca gather for a post Goodlife Mara & Half team pic, sweaty and triumphant. WAY TO GO CREW!
TO Goodlife Half Marathon:
Harvey Foot - 1:27 (7th in age cat)
Luis Franco - 1:29 (all time PB)
Eric Morris - 1:36 (all time PB)
Marija Radivojevic - 1:38 (all time PB)
Lucia Mahoney - 1:38 (4th in age cat)
Simon Chiu - 1:41 (all time PB)
Dera Nevin - 1:44 (the comeback continues!)
Diane Tsialtas - 1:45 (10th in age cat)
Eric Ambrosimov - 1:45 (best in years!)
Jenn Pitts - 1:47 (all time PB)
Trevor Su - 1:47 (all time PB)
Angelein Slater - 1:52 (all time PB)
Joe Barth - 1:57 (best in years)
Ryan Morris - 1:59 (debut)
June Ann Clark - 2:20 (best in years)
and coach Kev ran a solid 1:15 (20 days post Boston) to win the 2013 Ontario Masters Half Marathon Championships.
Yonge St. 10K
Apr 21/13 
- A 'crisp 'n brisk' day greeted those keen to run one of Canadas fastest 10K races this morning...and many MDI Dynamos rose to the challenge and ran incredibly fast times. Well done crew!
Standout MDI Performances:
Avery Best - 34min
Jimmy Mugo - 37min
Carolyn Bennett -39min
Micahel Andaloro - 40min
Linday Kay Richards - 42min
Marija Radivojevic - 44min
Darrel Smith - 44min
Serab Melvin - 45min
Barry Richards - 47min
Natasha Vasiljevic - 48min
Trevor Su - 48min
Jacquie Jacobs - 51min
Claudette Germain - 54min
June-ann Clarke - 59min
Rapidly improving MDI speedster Michael Andaloro, grinning his way to a huge 40min all time PB!
No doubt we all have the most disturbing scenes from this year's Boston etched in our memories, so we thought it would be therepeutic to balance those with some more uplifting and positive images from this year's Boston (click on any image to enlarge)...
At the Finish Line:
Around The Bay 30K '13
Mar 24/13 - Uncharacteriscally good weather greated the thousands who met the challenge of North America's most venerable road race - crisp, cool and sunny.
Karen Soos, Janet Manley and Fulvia Manarin happily celebrating their HUGE new 30K Personal Bests post-race!
Of the current season's Marathon Dynamics crew, almost 50 ran, and from among them we bring you: The "Top 30 MDI ATB 30K Performances"
Michael Andaloro - 2:22
Michael Anderson - 2:27
Kathy Angus - 2:48
Anu Bentley - 2:46
Avery Best - 1:55
Jillian Brady - 2:12
Michelle Burca - 3:16
Kristin Dalzell - 2:13
Jane Davies - 3:15
Lisa DeMarco - 2:51
Amanda Graff - 2:28
Bill Haust - 2:31
Ken Jacobs - 2:23
Jason Jacobs - 2:25
Michael Lin - 3:00
Fulvia Manarin - 2:29
Janet Manley - 2:26
Dera Nevin - 2:38
Danielle Noon - 2:42
Michael O'Riordan - 2:05
Martha Palao - 2:44
Deborah Palter - 2:36
Steven Peros - 2:34
Karen Soos - 2:30
Richard St. John - 2:29 (2nd in age category!)
Natasha Vasiljevic - 2:52
Mario Viesca - 2:26
Christopher Wolfe - 2:27
& Coach Kev (me) ran an all time ATB best of 1:51 too!
Nov 4-5/12 - Wild Weekend in the Wake of Sandy!
Long time MDI runner Sherab Melvin whooping it up at RunAnyway, at which she helped raise thousands of dollars to support the victims of superstorm Sandy in New York and New Jersey. This pic actually headlined both BBC North America and USA Todayonline the day after the marathon. Purple Power everywhere!
For the first time in over 40 years, in the face of mounting pre-race controversy and criticism in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy the New York City Marathon was cancelled. For the more than two dozen Marathon Dynamics runners primed and pumped to race (most already THERE in NYC!)--amidst understandably confusion, dismay and disappointment at the news, the situation posed an intriguing dilemma--what now?
Remarkably, in a matter of hours, our crew, and thousands of other resourceful runners from around the world decided to take action (rather than just moan, wail and complain) by either:
a) racing back home to register for Hamilton Marathon instead
b) volunteering with boundless energy to assist with clean up, and help those with limited mobility get food, water and supplies
c) doing the "Run Anyway" NYC Marathon - an unofficial (but full distance) version of the event, raising funds to support those hit hardest
d) shopping till dropping in NYC to support the struggling local economy
Hamilton Race Weekend Highlights (alphabetically)
Marathon
Don Campbell - 2:49!!! (all time PB, 8th in age cat)
Frank Di Rienzo - 3:27 (all time PB, 7th in AC)
Len Griffiths - 3:25 (only 3 weeks after Waterfront Mara)
Erik Loponen - 3:21
Eric Morris - 3:35 (3 weeks after Waterfront Mara)
Vicki Rooke-D'Aurizio - 4:16 (all time PB by 11 min)
Richard St.John - 3:44 (2nd in AC)
Dominique Von Richter - 3:36 (debut, and Boston Q)
Half Marathon
June Barrette -1:50 (8 minute PB this season!)
Jillian Brady - 1:29 (all time PB, 5th AC, 11th overall)
Kirstin Dalzell -1:29 (all time PB, 2nd in AC)
Ken Jacobs - 1:32 (all time PB)
Yasu Kajiwara - 1:33 (5th in AC)
Stefan Steen -1:30 (all time PB)
Andy Wilkes - 1:41
Julia Wilkes - 1:32 (all time PB, 6th in AC)
5K & 10K
Dave Hill - 18:22 (all time PB, 2nd in AC, 9th overall)
Francois Girard - 38:08 (all time PB, 1st in AC, 10th overall)
Our BEST Year EVER!
Thanks to all you dynamic runners who we were privileged enough to work, run, laugh, cry, and play with, who helped make 2012 our most memorable and impressive of all 14 years we've been doing this.
Almost 130 MDI runners, friends and fam from our 5 different training groups got together for a super fun night of drinks, desserts, ping pong, awards, prizes, and a few surprises at the ultra cool nightspot SPiN Toronto.
Much thanks to our special guest Josh Cassidy (Boston Marathon wheelchair world record holder), and much congrats to our award winners (click here to see their pics), and to all of you this season.
A few snaps from the big night...click here to visit our FB page to see dozens more.
Coach Kev takes a break as MC to ham it up with a Michael Jackson dance number!
Purple Passion Personified! Sherab Melvin and Jacquie Jacobs
Stalwart MDI performers: Kevin Stoodley, Josi Mori-Stoodley, Jillian Brady, Suzanne Lesnowski & Harvey Foote
Have a super fun, festive and restive holiday season from all of us at Marathon Dynamics.Now, let's make 2013 even better!
Oct 14/12 - Purple Power Reigns!
Long time MDI Dynamo Eric Morris (huge new 3:34 marathon PB) and wife, fellow (new) MDI runner Janice (huge new 1:42 half PB) smooch with their 7-month old Evan at the finish. Great moment! (and Evan even got a new teething toy out of the deal)
Terrific performances by almost 60 MDI Dynamos at the windy, warm, wet & VERY sticky Waterfront races this past weekend. The 95% humidity hampered everyone (marathoners especially) from overall winners right on through the field, yet our valiant foot soldiers did splendidly!
From among the dozens of standout performances we're so proud of (see "Top 42" below), here are some pics of our Purple Power team in action...
Benoit Keppennesmiling his way to a 3:09 all time marathon PB, Julia Wilkes looking smooth as she crushes her best half ever (by 8 min!) running 1:33, and Richard St. John waves a hello en route to WINNING his age category in 3:41
GO TEAM!
For more great pics, check out our Purple Reign photo album on Facebook. If you're on FB already, click here. If not, what are you waiting for? Get registered, then click on the FB logo link (right side margin here) and we'll add you!
"Top 42 Dynamo Performances" of Waterfront Weekend:
(not necessarily our fastest, but best performances relative to season-starting ability - listed alphabetically)
Marathon:
| Chiu | Simon | 3:57 | all time PB (15 min) |
| Dalzell | Kristin | 3:12 | all time PB (10 min), 4th overall @ PEC Marathon |
| Davies | Jane | 4:40 | 3rd in age cat |
| DeMarco | Lisa | 3:58 | all time PB |
| Franco | Luis | 3:28 | all time PB |
| Goodman | Allan | 3:43 | |
| Jacobs | Jacquie | 4:04 | all time PB, 4th in AC |
| Keppenne | Benoit | 3:09 | all time PB |
| Lennon | Nancy | 3:35 | all time PB, 11th in AC |
| Lesnowski | Suzanne | 3:08 | 3rd master woman (40+)! |
| Manley | Janet | 3:43 | all time PB (12 min) |
| Markham | Cristine | 4:03 | all time PB |
| McDonnell | Scott | 3:01 | 11th in age cat |
| Milani | Randi | 4:06 | all time PB |
| Morris | Eric | 3:34 | all time PB |
| Payette | Lucy | 3:37 | 4th in AC - not even racing |
| Soos | Karen | 3:48 | all time PB (9 min) |
| St. John | Richard | 3:41 | 1st in age cat |
| Stevenson-Lee | Allison | 3:58 | all time PB |
| Stuart | Greg | 3:51 | |
| Wiley | Bridget | 3:55 | 8th in age cat |
Half:
| Barrette | June | 1:56 | all time PB |
| Bedard | Bridget | 1:34 | all time PB, 11th in age cat |
| Brady | Jillian | 1:30 | all time PB, 10th in AC |
| DiRienzo | Frank | 1:37 | saving it for NYC |
| Fralick | Jennifer | 2:12 | 4th in AC (nearly PB) |
| Germain | Claudette | 2:09 | best in 5+ years |
| Girard | Francois | 1:23 | all time PB, 4th AC |
| Grosskopf | Diane | 1:45 | even starting 21 min late! |
| Hill | Dave | 1:28 | all time PB |
| McGovern | Jules | 1:51 | all time PB |
| McSherry | Sarah | 1:32 | all time PB, 11th in AC |
| Monahan | Paul | 1:45 | |
| Morris | Janice | 1:43 | all time PB |
| Palter | Deborah | 1:45 | all time PB |
| Parolin | Pat | 2:10 | nearly all time PB |
| Parolin | Trudy | 2:37 | debut! |
| Pehar | Ivan | 1:43 | all time PB |
| Salter | Jennifer | 1:36 | nearly PB, 12th in AC |
| Stocker | Maureen | 2:22 | redemption |
| Wells | Nancy | 1:48 | 1st in AC |
| Wilkes | Julia | 1:33 | all time PB (by 8 min!) |
...for designing my perfect training plan. Kevin Smith provided me with e-coaching which made my dream of qualifying for Boston a reality. I am so proud of my accomplishment and know I could not have done it without MDI.
Thank you very much!
Don Campbell
You really have brought me to a place I never thought I would see. I never imagined I’d be able to deliver the race result that I did this past year. I’m still in disbelief of the time in fact! I've vastly improved through your coaching. You took me from a 4:02 marathon where I thought I left everything I had on the course down to a 3:19 in 3 years – with a BQ to show for it as a bonus!
Ken Moscoe
I'd achieved some success making my own training plans, but I felt I could improve and didn't know how. With the experience, knowledge, and technical expertise of Marathon Dynamics, I've been able to bring my half marathon PB from 1:48 to 1:34! I also ran my first marathon, and I'm heading to Boston next April. If you have the drive and determination, MDI can take care of the planning that ultimately produces your dream results. You'll marvel at coach Kevin's ability to assess your fitness and predict your race day results. You'll arrive at the starting line feeling super confident and ultra-prepared.
Kristin Dalzell after her 1st year with MDI
Run out to it!