The 13th Annual Russell Run was a huge success! Congratulations to all who participated in this year. Your training paid off!

But we are not a yearly event
A Message from the Race Director
Another Russell Run is in the books. Just like the ones before it, it has been a success. Lucky number 13 brought us amazing weather (a sharp contrast to the rainy 12th Annual run).
We had a great turnout, with 177 runners and walkers toeing the start line. It warms our hearts to discover that 71 of this year's registrants were 12 or younger. And if you add the teenagers, we had 80. We even had the 1.2 km run outsell the 10 km event—51 vs. 47. The kids are taking over the running community!
If you noticed the sea of red Russell Run Club T-shirts in the 1.2 and 5 km events, those were the gang from our Fall Youth and Run Jump Throw program. There was some nervous energy at the beginning—new distances, fear of getting lots. But our volunteers and fellow runners supported and encouraged them. There were huge smiles as they crossed the finish line and proud parents. Actually, that was the case for all our young participants.
This is my fourth year overseeing the event since continuing from Tom Huisman. Every year, we watch it grow: more participants, volunteers, and community support. We welcome more out-of-town runners and walkers from adjacent counties and those just a little farther down the highway. We love seeing other clubs join us, such as the Brockville Road Runners and Cornwall Multi Sport Club. It is now an annual trip for them. We will definitely add their events to our agendas and visit them.
I sometimes get approached asking to add long distances to the event - such as the 21.1 km. However, as I reflect on what I see and hear from our participants, I think the Russell Run will stay as it is. We are a community-run event that anyone of any age and ability can participate in. Walk, jog, run, push a stroller. Our members are out there to have fun, cheer on and support others and achieve personal bests. I'm not saying our club will not hold longer events - don't worry, they are being planned (Stay tuned!). But just under the banner of the Russell Run we will stick to the event that we are successful at for now..
Thank you to all our participants for joining us year after year. Thanks to all our volunteers and stakeholders (read on for more details). Without you all, this event would not be possible.
Until next year.
~Coach Michelle (Oct 21/24)

The Results
1.2 km Kids Run
The 1.2 km Kids Run had a record-breaking 51 participants, but if you add the parents accompanying their kids, it was an impressive group.
We were happy to have our member Paul Lalonde make the kids' medals this year. I think we had some faster time this year because of them.

5 km Run/Walk
Our 5 km Run attracted 79 participants.
Our top female finishers:
Abby Shaver 21:38.70
Elizabeth Verreault 22:56.30
Ruby Casselman 24:08.40
Our top male finishers (within 24 seconds of each other!):
Patrick McCauley 20:00.7
Dave Anderson 20:18.3
Caleb Reid 20:24.10
10 km Run/Walk
Our 10 km Run attracted 47 participants.
Our top female finishers:
Nathalie Gauthier 48:04.10
Tia Bakker 48:58.7
Emma Lindblad 50:42.10
A few people challenged the 10 km course record 40:56:19 (2022). Six of them at that. Our top male
Shane Curless 36:59.40 (NEW RECORD)
John Racine 38:16.20
Eric Brown 39:00.00
Honourable mention go to:
Badr Barhoumi 40:27.30
Stephane Desjardins 40:33.90
Pascal Daze 40:55.50
Race Day Photos
Thanks to Norman Fortin and Jamie Hvidsten for capturing some amazing event photographs. Scroll through this gallery to see a sample of some of their amazing work:
Thank-You
Local Businesses and Community
Races like these don’t happen on their own. This one was brought to you by a team of volunteers, businesses and the municipality.
Russell Foodland provided post-race nourishments.
Timing was brought to you by CS Timing Solutions.
The Township of Russell’s Public Safety & Enforcement Department provided traffic control.
Pre-race warm-up by Lloyd of Russell Health Collective
CMS Pottery provided the coveted handcrafted mug prizes
Our Members
Then we have the volunteers from the Russell Run Club:
Melanie Gagne, Patricia Yates, Jim Cochrane, Declan C. & Eric Thauvette marshalled at critical intersections, ensuring no runner got lost and were safe.
Tammy Williams administering the registration
Melisande Carriere, Jennifer Thompson, Veronique Savage, and Norm Shippee provided Race Kit Pickup and Finish Line support. Â
Crystal McKinnon, Tara-Lynn Paul and Charly F. operated the Aid Station.
Yves Carriere managed the course setup and paced the 5 km.
Maurice Bonneville, Clair and David Sadler and Sean Hanna helped set up and take down the course.
Philippe H. and Isla T. paced the kid's run and provided finish-line support.
Paul, Line and Amelie Lalonde for making distributing the kid's medals.
Of course, quite a few of them did double duties or managed to get their run in on top of volunteering. Thanks so much to these hardworking, energetic individuals. Â
But we are not just a once-a-year event...
The Russell Run Club is a group of individuals who love to run and share our love of running with others. Â We provide a welcoming and supporting environment for runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities. Â
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Whether you are a casual social runner or competitive racer, whether you run short distances or ultra-marathons, whether you’re a road, track or trail runner, you will find a variety of programs to fit your individual running goals.
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Group Runs • Youth Running • Running Clinics • Coaching Track & Tempo Workouts • Social Runs •Trail Runs Â
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We have the following events coming up this year and next. And many more in the planning stages:
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Join the Russell Run Club Community Facebook Group to see what’s happening with our Members.
Feel free to send us an email at info@russellrunclub.ca or message us through Facebook or Instagram
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