Community Trail Running

I get the pleasure of working with Amy Reynolds and her skin care products through my real-life job at Rock Gear Distribution. runOn™ (a skin repair and antichafe) is one of those products. It’s a product that I really like, as it works well and is 100% natural. So I jumped at the chance to chat with Amy about runOn™ here on the show! It’s always fascinating to hear where the motivation comes from and how the business ends up where it is. We’ve even been partnering with a bunch of races lately, so you may have even received some! (If you did, feel free to comment what you think about it!) Amy was open and a lot of fun to chat with. I hope you enjoy the show as much as I did.Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Brennan Fawcett finished in second place at the Divide 200. Everything contained in that sentence is impressive, and yet it’s not the most impressive part of his time on course. Brennan and his pacer had an encounter with a couple of campers who will forever be grateful for the racer/pacer combo (even if they weren’t showing it at the time). I’m not sure “defend campers from bear” was on the map at km200, but they figured it out, and I hope you love the tale as much as I did!Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Janelle Schultz met Amy Alain, and it was an instant friendship. Both of them loved to run trails and foster community. Amy had a profound impact on Janelle in a short amount of time. Sadly, Amy was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the two met and passed away. Janelle and Amy’s partner, Phil, started Amy’s House in her honour for those having to stay in Edmonton for cancer treatment. They have two houses and are working on a third, as families are staying nonstop and appreciative of the home to stay in. “Run On Edmonton” helps support that, and it’s incredibly important to Janelle. I loved this chat and learning more about it. This run is doing a great deal of good for people facing such difficult circumstances. I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did.Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

I want to share some more about the amazing Galiano Island after yesterday’s episode with Kirsten Evanish of The Galiano Gallop, and since we’ve had so many new subscribers since July 2022, it makes sense to dip into the archive and share this once again. I will also share a podcast episode from the vault. I think this will pique your interest in the island and running there!An island meant for trail runningGaliano Island is a singletrack paradise. The ease with which you can get onto the trails and run is unparalleled, and the vistas offered up are second to none. The island is the perfect spot for a trail-running weekend. With great food, accommodations, and other entertainment available, a weekend on Galiano is a weekend you won’t regret. The island has something for everyone!The Galiano Trails Society is a huge reason for the amazing trail running network. They help build and maintain the network of trails up and down the island. On the podcast, I speak to two board members of the Society about what the Society does and how the network of island trails continues to grow. Those board members are Vilupti Corlis and Jesse Keefer and they also shared a few other things they love about the island. I’ve already covered some of this in a written piece that went up last week: You can get the podcast anywhere you listen:Spotify: Click HereGoogle Podcasts: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereYoutube: Click HereI also had a couple of close running friends, Jeff Radomsky and Chris Shier, join me for a running weekend on the island. I included some of their feelings about what it was like to run on the island. It was a ton of fun to put this series together, as Galiano is a special place and I love being able to share it with anyone on any level. Listen to this podcast, read the written piece, and book your trip to Galiano. You won’t be disappointed! Music by Skilsel from PixabayIf you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

It’s so cool to see the Galiano Trails Society announcing their first trail race! Set for September 28, 2025, on gorgeous Galiano Island, the Galiano Gallop will feature a kids' race, 6 K, and 10 K courses on some amazing island trails. Kirsten Evanish is the race director, and she is so stoked to be highlighting the trails and the work GTS does. As a former member of the society and a lover of the trails on Galiano Island, I am so excited for this announcement, and I have high hopes for where this all goes. I hope you all enjoy the conversation as much as I did!Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

James Duvall wanted to be able to raise money while being active outside of events. He found events would allow folks to collect money for important causes, but he wanted to carry that over to training and every day life. Trifundit was born, and now they are growing and looking for more ways to get involved and help great causes raise even more. It’s turned into a family affair for James and he couldn’t be happier. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did!Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

It’s always fun to explore with my wife Sheena, I’m always appreciative when we get to go check out a new race together. We did this in June when we went to “The Wildness” stage race at Panorama Resort. This was especially cool because Sheena doesn’t run, so it meant she’d have a whole resort to keep her entertained while I was on course at this event, how fun!I was thrilled to take on the beautiful and challenging course, and even more so when I was able to think about Sheena enjoying a coffee, taking a sightseeing chairlift ride, or riding the awesome mountain coaster. It was great knowing we were both enjoying our days in different ways, and it was really cool coming together at the finish line and celebrating the rest of the day together! Registration for the 2026 Wildness opens at 9:00 am Wednesday August 13 (tomorrow!!!)We’re even more stoked because we get to give out an entry to next year’s race! Just check out the post on Instagram and enter there. All you need to do is comment and tag someone you think would like the event, super easy! The winner will also get a sweet Rossignol water bottle and running hat, as will four others. So even if you don’t win the main prize, you can still get some awesome Rossy swag. Get over and enter while you can!Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Cory Jennerman, co-owner of Run Guides, knew the beer mile event was quirky and fun, and he also knows how to bring people together to have a good time. This combo has led to some memorable events in Vancouver for runners and drinkers, and running drinkers(?) through “Vancouver Beer Mile”. Whatever you want to call the participants, they certainly show up and enjoy the events that Jennerman hosts. After seeing the success of the “horizontal” beer mile, Cory decided that some vert needed to be involved, and that’s how the vertical beer mile started. Hearing about these events and what Cory does to put them on was so much fun. He’s incredibly passionate about making this a good time for people, the event is so unique, and he is such a good storyteller that this episode will have you laughing, I’m certain of it. I know Cory had me cracking up!I hope you all enjoy the chat as much as I did. Let me know what you think! Are you signing up to beer mile, horizontal or vertical style? Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereGoogle Podcasts: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Chantelle and I were super stoked to have Jacob Puzey on the latest episode of The Long Run! Jacob is a race director of many events, including the 5 Peaks race series, and he reached out recently with some race cancellations happening and wanted to chat with us about the back-end of races and how those sorts of decisions are made. He also sheds some light on what his event costs look like, including this cool breakdown of his expenses:Jacob also let us know that his insurance claim from the 5 Peaks race that was cancelled has been approved. It’s the first time they’ve used that, and it allows the event to refund all the runners. This is an expense, of course, that made the race more expensive to begin with, so it’s awesome that they were able to use it and get it approved! Would you mind paying a few more dollars up front if it meant you get a refund due to cancellation? It seems smart to me!We’re super stoked you were able to join us for this episode with Jacob. We’re grateful to have you all here and for your support. We look forward to working more together. If you missed the last episode, catch up now: Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

6 Cities.18 Performers.850 Viewers.$1,500 Raised for Jasper.What a damn year!Thank you all for coming out. We celebrated our amazing sport and community in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Crowsnest Pass, Jasper, and Canmore! Not only did we bring our community together, but we highlighted local performers as well. We had burlesque performers, magicians, theatre artists, go-go dancers, and musicians. We highlighted local films, we spoke with local runners, and we raised $1500 for Jasper as they rebuild after the devastating wildfires last year. 850 of you showed up, and we’re so grateful to all of you for doing so. I have to thank my wife, Sheena, for her amazing support with all of this. She’s always eager to help and be a part of it. All our volunteers were awesome, and especially our friends Sabrina and Jason, for once again hosting us and volunteering. Their hospitality is something we are forever grateful for. And my good friend Jeannine is the reason why this thing happens. She does everything! She’s a crusher, a rockstar, and I don’t deserve her help, but I sure am glad I have it. At the Trail Running Film Festival, Mathias and Amanda are great to work with. They’re excited about building the festival, and I’m grateful for our relationship. They’re always open to ideas, they jumped at the chance to help Jasper, they’re always eager to hear what we’re up to, and I look forward to working with them more in the future. This year was incredible, and a big reason for that is our amazing sponsors and supporters:5 Peaks - Stoked Ultra/ScrambleOdlum BrownSki Uphill/Run UphillCoast Mountain Trail RunningWell Health Medical and LongevitySinister SportsGolden Ultra7 Summits SnacksBlack Lung UltraDistance RunwearRunGo AppRviitaHonourary sponsor - Crowsnest Pride SocietyTotem Ski ShopHabitat for the ArtsThe Legion Jasper Volunteeer Fire Fighter Brigade!We are so thankful for all of their help and for the opportunity to represent them in so many communities. It’s an honour for us and one we don’t take lightly. We love bringing everyone together and we can’t wait to do it again next year! Did you make it out to a show? What did you think? Let us know, we’re hoping to hear from you as we want to improve this thing every year. I want to make this event one that you circle on your calendar, so help us make it as good as we possibly can! Planning for 2026 starts now. We hope to see you there. Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Brittany Peterson loves the outdoors and loves helping runners achieve their goals. So when she had the opportunity to be a part of BC’s latest stage race, The Wildness, she jumped at it. Now people are signing up to participate in the two-day event at the beautiful resort, taking place June 27-29, and final preparations are underway. Brittany, the entire crew, and the resort are all super stoked to be hosting trail runners, and they want to see the event grow in the future. They have a vision and they hope to make Panaorama Resort a trail running destination. I had such a blast hearing Brittany chat about how beautiful this race is, and how they want to grow it. I’ll be watching closely and cheering their progress on! Listen where you listenSpotify: Click HereGoogle Podcasts: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Chris Fenlon MacDonald loves challenging himself through endurance sports and he especially loves the community that makes up endurance sports. That is why he’s created the Relentless 24 in Canmore, Alberta. A 24-hour event at the beautiful Nordic Centre. Although this year has to be postponed due to some labour issues in the province, this event will be worth the wait for next year. I hope you enjoy hearing from Chris as much as I did! The Miller MinutesI’m so excited to be chatting with Coach Andrew again for the Miller Minutes! Moab Run the Rocks was a ton of fun and I really liked working with Andrew as I got ready for it. I’m excited to move into summer with Andrew and see what we can accomplish at my summer races. This episode Andrew gets me back into the swing of things and lets us know how others in my shoes can get back to being active when they’ve slowed down a bit. Trail Running Film Festival TicketsWe have one show left! It’s this week in Canmore and we can’t wait to hang out.* Canmore, AB – Thursday, June 5 | artsPlaceEntertainment: Magician Magic That WillListen where you listenSpotify: Click HereGoogle Podcasts: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Christian Roy owns Canadian Skyline Adventures in Jasper, Alberta. He absolutely loves getting people out on the trails and into nature. He’s always found nature a healing part of his life and wants to share that with as many others as possible. He accidentally found his way into trail running, but it’s been intentional ever since. The chance to be out there and showing off the great trails around his home is something he cherishes and looks forward to. I really enjoyed the conversation and hearing about why he loves it as much as he does. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!Get your film fest ticketsWe’re incredibly excited to be hosting the Trail Running Film Festival once more. As you may or may not have heard, we are also a media partner and official podcast of the film festival, so we’re pretty excited about that too!* Jasper, AB – Saturday, May 17 | The Legion* Canmore, AB – Thursday, June 5 | artsPlaceListen where you listenSpotify: Click HereGoogle Podcasts: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Kimberly Stark owns multiple businesses in Jasper and has chased ultra distances on the trails. She loves to see what she is capable of and push herself as close to her max as she can get. It’s something that’s always driven her and that drive has led to a lot of success. It was such a blast and an honour to hear more about her and why pushing herself has been important to her. It was also awesome hearing about the Bear’s Paw Cafe, Ursidae Lair, Lostlands Cafe, and her work on the Volunteer Fire Brigade. The fire brigade is one of the organizations our Trail Running Film Festival screening in Jasper is raising funds for, and so I was thrilled for Kim to share some information about what they do. We’re also raising funds for Habitat for the Arts, and the Legion!This was a ton of fun for me and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Make sure to get your tickets for the screening in Jasper and we can hang out and raise some funds at the same time!Get your film fest ticketsWe’re incredibly excited to be hosting the Trail Running Film Festival once more. As you may or may not have heard, we are also a media partner and official podcast of the film festival, so we’re pretty excited about that too!* Jasper, AB – Saturday, May 17 | The Legion* Canmore, AB – Thursday, June 5 | artsPlaceListen where you listenSpotify: Click HereGoogle Podcasts: Click HereApple Podcasts: Click HereMusic by Paolo Argentino from PixabayWe’re on the journey to 2,000 subscribers, help us get there!If you enjoy this podcast, I would really appreciate it if you could like, share, subscribe, or comment! I’m trying to make this the best trail running podcast it can be and I certainly appreciate your time. Thank you all and happy trails :) Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe

Brandon Regier is a huge fan of running. He loves it so much he’s made it his career and he chases huge goals on the weekends too. He’s also a proud new father and someone who values time with family. He was a pleasure to chat with and I’m so glad Chantelle made this happen! Drop by Runners Soul in Lethbridge and meet him yourself. We learned a lot about why he loves the sport, some advice he has for people thinking about it, and all kinds more! He’s another legend of Lethbridge and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as Chantelle and I did.Speaking of Chantelle and I…The Trail Running Film FestivalChantelle is my guest in Crowsnest Pass this Saturday May 3 at Frank Slide Interpretive Centre! I’m so excited for my new hometown show and to hang out with trail runners all over Alberta.Edmonton, we will see you Thursday!! Calgary, see you on Friday!! Get your tickets:* Edmonton, AB – Thursday, May 1 | Metro Cinema* Calgary, AB – Friday May 2 | Cardel Theatre* Crowsnest Pass, AB – Saturday, May 3 | Frank Slide Interpretive Centre* Jasper, AB – Saturday, May 17 | The Legion* Canmore, AB – Thursday, June 5 | artsPlace Get full access to Community Trail Running at communitytrailrunning.substack.com/subscribe