Summer/Fall 2016
Team Dynamo ROCKED This Season
From Start, Through Middle, To End!
From the TO Ekiden Relay in June (above), on through the long hot summer of training, and on into fall racing season (below), the Dynamo crew put forth amazing efforts and displayed tremendous camaraderie. What a dream it is for us coaches to work with runners like you. We couldn't be more proud of you or inspired by you!
(above left) Anu Bentley, Mark Clingen and Jacquie Jacobs all with podium finishes at the Hamilton 10K)
(above right) Some of the Oakville/Mississauga crew mug for a pic while celebrating Coach Kev's birthday. Definitely the Spirit Award winners of 2016 goes to this bunch. You've set the bar high for the Toronto groups next year ;o)
(below left) Dynamo teammates Andy Sykes and Val McLeod celebrate their 12th and10th place Age Cat finishes at the muggy Waterfront Half.
(below right) Dynamo rookie Hayley Chiaramonte beaming with pride after her marathon debut in Hamilton this fall, in a Boston Q time of 3:36 no less!
Nov 29/16 - Many thanks and big hugs and high fives to ALL of you this past season. Despite some less than ideal race day weather at many of the big fall running events, we still had over 100 incredible race results achieved by our intrepid MDI Team Dynamo. WOW!
(most of which, if you hadn't already done so, you can review on our MDI FB Group Page in the Albums section and/or recent posts, along with dozens of great race photos, so peruse away! Click Here)
It was also FABULOUS to bring together almost 120 of you over a week ago at the big "Dinner With Krista Duchene" Tween Seasons bash! Such a wonderful way to spend an evening looking back on last season, ahead to next season, and on reconnecting with running friends, and meeting new ones.
There were 4 lucky award winners that night as well (and by lucky I mean super hard working bad a$$es!)
(above left) Tiffany Simms, along with Coach Kev, Marathon Mom Krista Duchene and Coach Roz Morton, wins the "Diamond In the Rough" Award (aka "Most Improved") for her incredible season where she PB'ed by almost 30 min in the marathon, as well as at EVERY other race distance from 5K up!
(above right) Soroush Hatami wins the "Rookie of the Year" Award for his smashing 3:05 all time PB at the hot and humid Waterfront Marathon
(below left) Andy Sykes picks up this year's Nutcracker Award (aka "Hardest Working") for his dedication to training which resulted in PB's at both the marathon (3:32) and Half (1:37)
(below right) Fulvia Manarin takes home the coveted "Closest To Perfection" award for her all time 3:25 marathon PB at Chicago, which earned her a top 10 placing in her Age Cat in a World Marathon Major!
For more of the great pics from that evening... 
And thanks to all who brought used running shoes for the CESC to support Kenyan orphan education. Quite a payload, for such a worthy cause!
Thanks again to those of you who we've been blessed to work, run and play with this past season (and perhaps many seasons past), and a shout out to those of you who would like to give Marathon Dynamics a try THIS coming season. What are you waiting for? We start...NOW!
But this year...whoa! We had close to 50 Dynamos on course! Over 20 were running the race, and more than 2 dozen at the 4K Water Station, where it was most definitely "Raining Purple"!
Thanks first and foremost to the crew who so generously gave of their time on Mom's Day to come out and support Toronto's biggest running event...you guys did an incredible job!
As for those running? Here's a quick "TOP 20 Perfomances" alphabetically (hope I didn't miss anyone ;o)
LAURAL ADAMS 55:32 - All time PBROYA ALI-KHANBEGI 48:42 - All time PB
BEV ATUNES 35:01 MDI Alum - 3rd Woman!
CLAIRE BRAMMA 39:54 - 4th AC (near PB)
AUDREY DANAHER 1:08:44 - All time PB
BEN FEFERMAN 51:15 - All time PB
JENNIFER FRALICK 1:00:29 - 9th in AC
LESLEY GALLINGER 1:08:30 - Strong run
ANGELA GANSTAL 44:50 - 4th in AC
LIZ HANSON 45:50 - 19th AC
ANASTASIA KONOVALENKO 46:33 - ATPB
FULVIA MANARIN 44:21 - All time PB, 11th AC
DASI MOSCOVITCH 48:35 - All time PB
MARIJA RADIVOJEVIC 45:19 - Strong run
TIFFANY SIMMS 46:51 - All time PB
COACH KEV 33:44 - 1st overall master
KAREN SOOS 45:48 - All time PB
MAUREEN STOCKER - 59:36 Best in 5 yrs
HEIDI VAN BAEL 47:00 - All time PB
COACH DAN WAY 34:24 - 5th in AC
At least 15 of us tested our race mettle against the frigid temps and gusty winds this weekend.
Coach Kev - 28min (2nd overall master)
Coach Seanna Robinson - 30min (4th master, 8th overall woman!)
Jenn Pitts - 39min (PB, 9th in Age cat!)
Anastasia Konovalenko - 39min (PB,12th AC)
Tiffany Simms - 39min (PB, 13th AC)
Joe Barth - 42min (4th in AC!)
Jenn Trowell - 42min (16th AC)
Lisa DeMarco - 44min (15th AC)
Melinda Montgomery - 45min
Angelique Plata - 54min (10min PB!)
Eric Morris - 1:06 (all time PB)
Janice Morris - 1:07 (all time PB, 3rd woman!)
Sherlita Di Bratto - 1:25 (all time PB)
Angus Glenn 10 Miler:
Christine Moffitt - 1:21 (all time PB, 7th AC)
Cathy Annetta - 1:44! (what a comeback!)
T.O. "BIG DOUBLE" WEEKEND
May 1/16: On a chilly, rainy, and blustery day when fast times (and great race pics ;o) were very hard to come by, our hale and hearty Dynamo runners threw down and found a way to compete...and many surprised with truly amazing feats! Congrats to ALL of you on your dig-deep efforts last Sunday, but especially to...
Top 40 GTA Double-Header Weekend Performances:
Ghazaleh Afshari - Calgary 15K - 1:21 - Best race in 2yrs!
Cathy Annetta - Missy 5K - 30min - Great comeback race
Joe Barth - Goodlife TO Half - 1:52 - 13th in age cat (AC)
Anu Bentley - Goodlife Mara - 3:48 - All time PB (6th AC)
Sarah Black - Missy Half - 1:58 - Smart comeback race
Geoff Cameron - Missy 5K - 17min - 3rd place, 1st Master!
Bob Carreau - 5 Peaks Enduro #1 - 57min - 2nd AC
Brian Cupit - Missy Half - 1:16 - 5th overall, 1st Master!
Lisa De Marco - Missy Half - 1:57 - solid comeback race
Sherlita DiBratto - Goodlife Half - 2:00 - AllCtime PB
Nick Friedman - Missy Half - 1:37 - 12th AC (almost PB)
Claudette Germain - Goodlife 10K - 53 min - 1st place AC
Ryan Goldvine - Goodlife Mara - 3:14 - Bstn Q (almost PB)
Heather Grey-Wolf - Goodlife Half - 1:59 - Best in 5 yrs
Jennifer Hassum - Goodlife TO Half - 1:50 - All time PB
Yasu Kajiwara - Missy Mara - 3:22 - 1st in AC!
Anastasia Konovalenko - Goodlife Half - 1:46 - All time PB
Paul Kundarewich - Vancvr Half - 1:34 - Just missed PB
Faith Lee - Mississauga 5K - 25min - 1st in AC
Ashley Leone - Goodlife Half - 1:36 - 4th AC (best in 8 yrs)
Tim Leys - Goodlife TO Mara - 3:56 - Solid debut
Mike Long - Mississauga Mara - 3:30 - HUGE all time PB
Paul Monahan - Goodlife TO Half - 1:44 - 13th AC
Eric Morris - Goodlife TO Half - 1:35 - All time PB (20th AC)
Janice Morris - Goodlife Half - 1:40 - 9th AC (almost PB)
Marta Mussacaleca - Goodlife Mara - 3:53 Huge PB!
Angelique Plata - Goodlife TO Half - 2:29 - All time PB
Stephanie Porter - Vancouver Mara - 4:04 - hard, hot day!
Marija Radivojevic - Goodlife Half - 1:48 - Training run ;o)
Sergio Rueda - Goodlife TO Mara - 3:40 - Smashing debut!
Kevin Searle - Mississauga Half - 1:40 17th AC (all time PB)
Tiffany Simms - Goodlife TO Mara - 3:57 - Great debut!
Alison Stevenson - Mississauga Mara - 4:05 - Bstn Q
Suzanne Sutcliffe - Goodlife TO Half - 1:56 - 16th AC
Katie Thomas - Mississauga Half - 2:01 Gutsy effort ;o)
Heidi Van Bael - Goodlife Half - 1:47 All time PB (17th AC)
Coach Dan Way - Mississauga Half - 1:16 - 4th overall!
Kelly Zyblock - Goodlife Mara - 3:50 - Huge PB (7th AC)
Go Go Team Dynamo!
BOSTON MARATHON 2016
Paul Jamael - Nearly all time Boston PB 2:59 (incredibly, 29th in age cat!)
Dave Gauthier - An all time marathon PB of 3:02 (and a negative split!)
Roz Morton - 3:21 Boston debut (94th AC)
Mark Clingen - 3:46 (Boston debut, 3:05 pace @ 35km, then...ooh boy ;o)
Liz Hanson - 3:55 solid Boston (5th Boston)
Andy Sykes - 3:59 Boston debut
Helen Bagshaw - 4:05 Boston debut
Bill Haust - 4:10 (just training through, # bazillionth marathon ;o)
Jacquie Jacobs - 4:12 (Boston best, and 73rd in AC)
Sandro Cupillari - 4:27 Boston debut (suffered through 2 injuries en route)
and Coach Lawrence Warriner, who had far (really far!) from his best Boston in this his 15th tour, but at least he got a great story out of his experience. Click here to read on!
ATB 30K '16 REPORT!
GHAZALEH AFSHARI 2:56 Solid progressive run
STEPHANIE ANDERSON 2:36 Smashing debut
ANU BENTLEY 2:35 All time PB!
SARAH BLACK 3:04 Tough as nails - great effort!
CLAIRE BRAMMA 2:20 All time PB (12th Age Cat!)
TAMARA CHIPPERFIELD 2:47 Solid mid-season test race
CHRIS CHIPPERFIELD 2:46 Helping your better half ;o)
SEBASTIEN DHONTE 2:24 Solid effort
KRISTEN DONOVAN 2:44 All time PB!
CLAUDETTE GERMAIN 3:01 ATB Debut
RYAN GOLDVINE 2:09 All time PB!
VADIM GOUTERMAN 2:23 All time PB!
TANYA GRANT 2:48 All time PB!
JACQUIE JACOBS 3:06 Pre-Boston steady LSD
YASU KAJIWARA 2:32 Post Tokyo Marathon
SUSAN KALLSEN 3:15 Big comeback effort!
ANASTASIA KONOVALENKO 2:41 All time PB!
MIKE LONG 2:24 All time PB!
ROZ MORTON 2:16 Pre-Boston LSD/racepace
SERGIO RUEDA 2:31 What a debut!
KEVIN SEARLE 2:24 All time PB!
JANICE SHEARER 3:28 Grittiest Dynamo effort!
TIFFANY SIMMS 2:47 ATB Debut
RICHARD ST. JOHN 2:37 Impressive 5th in AC!
MAXINE STEINBERG 2:58 Notched a sub 3 ;o)
ALISON STEVENSON 3:06 Post Tokyo Marathon
ANDY SYKES 2:40 Pre-Boston LSD/racepace
JENNIFER TUNG 2:47 Debut (yes?)
Coach LAWRENCE WARRINER 1:55 Pre-Boston tune up
Coach DAN WAY 1:52 Not bad for 'not racing'!
KELLY ZYBLOCK 2:34 All time PB (15th AC)
(below) Some of the gang pause for a pre-race pic before putting their game faces (and mitts!) on before the start ;)
CHILLY HALF MARATHON 2016
Mar 6/16: Everyone gave it there all out there in the cool, calm, sunny conditions, we know that, and we're proud of all of you! As we do every year, here is our listing of the "Top 21 Chilly Half Perfomances" from our crew who raced (not strictly the fastest, but best relative to one's ability at race time). Listed alphabetically.
GHAZALEH AFSHARI 2:00 Strong effort, building back
HELEN BAGSHAW 1:45 10th in Age Category
ANU BENTLEY 1:46 All time PB (15th in AC)
MARK CLINGEN 1:20 All time PB (4th in AC)
RALPH COCHRANE 1:53 Just "Racepacing" 16K
SANDRO CUPILLARI 1:39 All time PB
BRIAN CUPIT 1:17 2nd AC, 1st race in 16+ years
LISA DEMARCO 2:01 Just "Racepacing" 16K
KIRSTEN DONOVAN 1:53 All time PB
NICK FRIEDMAN 1:38 Bang on, big confidence-builder
DAVE GAUTHIER 1:22 All time PB (10th in AC)
RYAN GOLDVINE 1:26 All time PB
JACQUIE JACOBS 1:50 All time PB (7th in AC)
PAUL JAMAEL 1:21 All time PB (6th in AC)
SUSAN KALLSEN 2:06 Great comeback race effort
ROZ MORTON 1:30 5th in AC!
JANICE SHEARER 2:18 Solid ATB Racepace
RICHARD ST. JOHN 1:43 4th AC, strongest half in years
ANDY SYKES 1:40 All time PB
CAROLINE WELSH 1:45 All time PB
MDI TEAM DYNAMO SHOWS PURPLE PASSION IN THE FALL OF 2015
Dynamo runners Sarah Black, Danielle Noon, and Jenn Trowell sporting both the old and the new Purple Power singlets at the Waterfront Half
Sept-Nov/15 - What a season! Your Dynamo run coaches are elated with the determined tenacity you guys demonstrated in training, and the savvy and spirit you showed on race days over the past couple of months. What a joy it was to see so many of you sporting our new Purple Power gear out there--way to represent!
In the past we've done reports on each "biggy" race event, but we've been so busy wrapping up the season, that we've done one big summary this time.
Some of you got lucky with race day conditions (Waterfront, for example), some of you did not (Chicago and Hamilton of course!), but just about everyone took what the day gave them and turned it into something very special.
Some of the crew stuck around after Sasha's talk for a "Runfie"
It was such a pleasure to gather together with some of our Toronto area runners in mid November at our Tween Seasons Party at the Granite Brewery, to celebrate with each other and enjoy the presentation by our very special guest speaker, Canadian champion distance runner Sasha Gollish. She helped coaches Kevin Smith and Jennifer Faraone present a few awards to some very deserving Dynamos, before tons of draw prizes on behalf of our sponsors.
Claire Bramma accepting the "Rookie of the Year" award. Not one but 2 all time Half Marathon PBs in 1 month (1:27 at WF for 3rd in her age cat) sealed the deal!
Roya Ali-Khanbegi receives the "Diamond in the Rough" award (aka "most improved), for her monstrous 26min PB at the Waterfront Half (1:55)
Dave Gauthier is a deserving winner of the "Closest To Perfection" award for his incredible 3:05 Boston Q PB at Lehigh Marathon, an 18min improvement since just last year.
Without further ado, we'd like to highlight some of the most impressive and inspiring Team Dynamo results over the past couple months. Alas, here are...
THE DYNAMO "TOP 100" RACE PERFORMANCES OF FALL 2015
Did you made the list? CLICK HERE to see! Please note:
* Many runners didn't make the list, but at least a dozen of you super keeners made it TWICE (all the more reason to heed our "race at least twice before the biggy" advice ;o)
* as judged by relative improvement and/or race day execution, not solely on finishing time. Listed alphabetically. PB denotes "Personal Best". AC denotes "Age Category". BQ denotes "Boston Qualifier"
* If you feel we've overlooked your (or another runner's) performance, PLEASE let us know right away. Remember to always email us w/your results/reports! We apologize for any oversight (it's a big job keeping track of every Dynamo runner...but we do our best ;o)
Thanks as well to all of you who sent us sensational pics from your race experiences. Stats are cool and all, but pictures capture the real emotion of the day.
Check out the pics below (click for hi res) or click here to visit our Dynamo Fall 2015 Facebook photo album. Some great shots there already, but if you have any more we can add, please send!
(left) Adrian Constantinescu & Karin Lindner celebrate at the finish line of the Berlin Marathon (right) Anu Bentley looking strong on her way to a 3:54 "redemption" at the blustery Hamilton Marathon. (below) Coach Kev and standout masters Dynamo Paul Jamael mug for the camera after strong runs at the Toronto 10 Miler.
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Marathon Dynamics, and Coach Kevin, took me beyond my extensive reading and personal attempts to apply what I've read and enabled me to achieve a personal best time (1h24min) in the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon) I wouldn't have believed possible--8 MINUTES!
They did this through creating a customized plan and then monitoring and adjusting it and encouraging me every step of the way. MDI coaches without overcoaching, and provides a great social environment enabling the runner to achieve their goals!
Mark Clingen
I used to run as a kid in school and loved it so much but when I developed asthma my mother made me stop. After graduating university, I started running again to clear my mind and feel like a kid again - it was and is my favourite thing to do so I kept going.
I ran my very first race (Sporting Life 10K) in 2013 and as soon as I crossed the finish line I was hooked! I ran a half marathon two weeks later (like any sane person would) and developed my first stress fracture. I continued to run in pain, and use the winter months to partially recover, then start back up in the spring. I would cover roughly 70K/week, but wondered why I wasn't getting any faster. Iwould complain to my husband who then asked around and discovered that the number one recommended running coach in Toronto was a fine gentleman by the name of Kevin Smith.
I met Kevin on one of the coldest days in 2016 and completed a mile trial with him. He was very informative and patient with me because my ultimate dream was to qualify for the Boston Marathon and at that time I was nowhere near the shape I needed to be in with two stress fractures. As a runner, every time I was pounding that pavement I would fantasize about running in the Boston Marathon. It would bring tears to my eyes each time I thought about it because it was my ultimate goal. I wanted my BQ more than anything and I knew how hard it was to achieve and felt at many times it was close to impossible.
Kevin put a training plan together for me and I was determined to nail each and every workout, since I knew that if I really wanted to achieve my running goal I would need to put my dream ahead of everything else and focus on it. My family and friends were very supportive although they thought and still think I am crazy but I was ok with that.
With Kevin’s help, guidance and support, I was able to achieve a PB in every race distance this season and after two marathons I finally have my Boston Qualifier! I simply cannot express in words how truly grateful I am to Kevin and his coaching team for all the valuable advice and support that was given to me. This life achievement has taught me that if I work hard enough and never give up anything is possible. It really is.
THANK YOU KEVIN from the bottom of my heart.
Tiffany ran Personal Best (by 27min!) of 3:30 flat @ Toronto Waterfront Marathon to qualify for Boston
I started running 3 yrs ago & 2 yrs ago joined MDI. I’ve had my ups & downs, and when i wanted to stop because of a disappinting race result, Coach Kev encouraged me to stay focused and adjusted not only my training plan but also my goal. In addition, I have an amazing Thursday morning group who I look forward to train with, and has kept me motivated… 3 yrs ago I ran Scotia half in 2:22:02 and today I ran 1:55! Whoot Whoot!
I am truly grateful and you have made me a better runner!"
Dynamo runner David Gauthier, who has improved his marathon by almost 45 min since joining Marathon Dynamics, recently running a 3:05 this fall to qualify for Boston!
...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
"I have a hectic schedule and couldn't commit to fixed group runs. Kevin created a customized training plan for me and was always available for e-coaching.
Marathon Dynamics prepared me to qualify for Boston with a PB of 3:11. Even better I beat my marathon time last October by 22 minutes! I'm looking forward to working with Marathon Dynamics for Boston. I know the group work would have been ideal but Marathon Dynamics was able to tailor a program around my needs."
Jacquie Jacobs - qualified for Boston at her debut marathon in her 1st season with MDI
Through Marathon Dynamic's program, I've come back from pregnancy as a stronger and faster runner. I've gone from bed rest to personal best, qualified and ran my first Boston Marathon 6 months after giving birth to my third child and just recently ran a half marathon PB (1:39 2015 Waterfront Half)
What an amazing weekend and race in New York City! I finished in 4:37, and can't imagine another race topping this one! I could not have progressed this far without your help. I kept with the program and it really paid off.
Thank you again for all your help in preparation for this all season long!
Marathon debutant Cathy Annetta
Run out to it!
Signing up with Marathon Dynamics was a great decision for me. It helped prepare me mentally and physically for running the NYC Marathon, and provided the opportunity to meet some extraordinary runners, especially on track day, dark and early. The whole experience of the training was great and gave me the confidence to do NY.
I could not have done this marathon without it. What worked especially well for me in particular were the bits of advice you gave on track day (eg sleeping) and through your web site. Most important though was the encouragement for us to do our best and a belief we could achieve our goals.
You taught us that the race is something to enjoy, and that I did. Many thanks!
MDI Rocks! Why? The Personalized Training Plan and the Weekly Group Coaching. I did both. The result? 18 weeks later I qualified for Boston! The Plan was personalized for me, advocated cross training combined with a sensible number of non running days and was easy to follow. So I was realistically able to manage life outside running. And bonus...when I needed my Plan to be tweaked (due to really rough winter weather) it was easily done.
The Weekly Group Coaching got me ‘out there’ with other runners (of all abilities) and my professional MDI Coach. The coaches are runners too and were adept at keeping me on track (literally!) with my Plan by providing encouragement, advice (by email, phone or in person at the weekly workouts) and good jokes! Boston here I come!
MDI Runner Katie Thomas improved her marathon PB by over 15 min and qualified for Boston
"Marathon Dynamics’ training program showed me that if I run the race the right way, I can break 3 hours.
My first marathon was painful, but the training for it was a lot of fun, and I would definitely recommend Marathon Dynamics to anyone. Whether you’re aiming for a particular time, or your goal is just to finish, the coaches will design a program that will help you safely and enjoyably reach your goal"
I have to say joining Marathon Dynamics has been a great decision for me. I was initially intimidated by all the great runners in your crew but I wanted to get better so decided to go for it. I have had a great time and feel like I've improved over the last few months. Everyone has been so supportive and you have been an amazing coach.
Tara O'Hagan - ran 3:55 PB at Marine Corps Marathon
"MDI does a fantastic job of tailoring your training to you. The plans are very detailed, the support is fantastic, and the results speak for themselves. Kevin really knows his stuff and his approach is both resolute and flexible at the same time. I look forward to working with them again to take the next step in my running.
MDI runner Glen Way improved his marathon PB by over 10 min in his first year with MDI (3:08 for a Boston Qualifier)
"8 months ago I was immobilized on an hospital bed with severe injuries suffered in a horrible motorcycle accident. I just ran my half marathon in 1:29--an 8 min PB!
This would not have happened without MDI's help. The personal plans are very effective at keeping you focussed & the camaraderie of the group running sessions and coaches push you to the limit without you even noticing it!"
You are a genius! Your plans are magic. Do the work, run the race and get the time you worked for! So happy. 49:03 is an "age equivalent" PB for me!
Thanks MDI...you've never let me down!
“Even more important to me is that Kevin works really hard to foster a friendly and supportive team environment throughout training and coaching sessions... As a result, I have been able to establish incredible new friendships with some great people that share my passion for running.”
New Marathon Dynamics Runner Harvey Foote
