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May 2025 Run-Down

  • Writer: Michelle Leduc
    Michelle Leduc
  • Jun 1
  • 9 min read

It’s been a big month for the Russell Run Club—on and off the roads.


We’ve appointed our first official Board of Directors, expanded our leadership team, and seen our community represented at races from Halifax to Ottawa to Cornwall. From first finishes to personal bests, tough hills to finish-line hugs, the stories this month capture exactly what makes our club special: perseverance, community, and joy in the journey.


If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, now’s a great time—group runs are growing, clinics are gearing up, and summer events like Chase the Sun are just around the corner. Whether you’re chasing a new distance, showing up for your first group run, or just enjoying the process, we’re here for all of it.


Another big group at our Tuesday night run.
Another big group at our Tuesday night run.

In This Issue

Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail Challenge


If you want to get all the updates in real-time, follow us on Social Media or sign up for weekly emails.

Join the Russell Run Club Community Facebook Group to see what’s happening with our Members.

Club News

Meet our Board of Directors

We’re excited to announce the newly appointed Board of Directors for the Russell Run Club:

  • President: Michelle Leduc

  • Vice President: Tamara Williams

  • Secretary: Sarah Mensour

  • Treasurer: Tara-Lynn Quesnel-Paul

  • Member at Large: Yves Carriere


This team will help guide the club’s vision, values, and direction as we continue to grow our running community. We’re grateful for their leadership and commitment—here’s to the miles ahead!

In the meantime, if you have ideas for the club, don't hesitate to send us an email info@russellrunclub.ca

Coach Michelle, Representing Eastern Ontario with Athletics Ontario

Do you recognize a familiar face among these athletes and community leaders? Coach Michelle is representing Athletics Ontario’s Road and Trail Running for 2025–2026!

The Russell Run Club has been a proud member of Athletics Ontario since 2019. Their support and structure have helped us make running safe, inclusive, and accessible for all.


Stay tuned to learn more about how this partnership continues to shape our club and community.



We're Growing and Looking for Leaders


Group Run Coordinator

As our group runs continue to grow, we’re looking for a Group Run Coordinator to help oversee the program and support our awesome volunteer run leads. This role is perfect for someone organized, encouraging, and passionate about creating a safe and inclusive running community.


Group Run Leads

Not ready for that role but still want to help?

We’re also looking for more Group Run Leads! Lead the occasional group, share your love of running, and help welcome new members.


No application—shoot us an email if you’re interested: michelle@russellrunclub.ca


Race Reports

Racing Season is in full swing with the Russell Run Club being represented in three major events in our area and Nova Scotia.


St. Lawrence Marathon

Rain or shine, Russell Run Club shows up!


Last April at the St Lawrence Marathon our members, clinic graduates, and a few honorary Cornwall Multisport friends took on the 5K, 10K, Half, and Full Marathon distances.

Every finish time tells just part of the story — behind each one is months of training, resilience, and heart. We’re so proud of everyone who toed the line!

Congrats to all our runners! Check out the full recap and results here:


Blue Nose Marathon

This gang started the morning a little nervous about the rain and wind heading into the Blue Nose Half Marathon—but it turns out, it was the hills we’d be cursing by the end! Despite the challenging course, it was a beautiful route and everyone crossed the finish line looking strong.


Big thanks to Mike Walsh and Katrina for getting us to the start, and to all the friends and family who cheered us on along the way!


Now, here’s how the results shook out...

Crystal MacKinnon 2:12:11

Tamara Williams 2:12:39

Tara-Lynn Paul 2:32:57

Clair Sadler 2:33:16

Mike Walsh 2:04:24

Melisande Carriere 2:09:41

Julie Hout-Hebert 2:29:29


Ottawa Race Weekend

What a weekend! Russell Run Club was out in full force at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend—cheering, pacing, racing, and soaking up the electric atmosphere. From 5Ks to marathons, we saw personal bests, first finishes, epic comebacks, and plenty of high fives.




A huge shoutout to everyone who toed the line, supported from the sidelines, or trained with us along the way. Your stories, grit, and spirit make this community what it is.


5 KM

Jeanette McNaulty 42:49

10 KM

Nicole Slater 1:0:31

Sebastien Gareau 1:08:17

1/2 Marathon

Pascal Daze 1:37:37

Marathon

Maurice Bonneville 4:30:34

Erika Morris 4:59:16

Jay Abramovitch 5:42:42

Write a Race Report or Share Your Results

Races are more than just numbers—they’re full of highs, lows, grit, and unexpected moments. Please help us build a resource for the RRC community (and beyond!) by sharing your experience.


The form below is broken into simple sections to help you tell your story without overthinking it. No pressure to be poetic—just be real.


Prefer to write your own version? Go for it! You can upload your race report directly and we’ll follow up if we need anything like photo captions or quick edits.


***This can be a training run also***

We can't wait to hear how it went.



Blogs & Stories

One Year, One Hour: Nicole’s 10K Breakthrough at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

I ran the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend yesterday. I started running last May, and my 10k time was over 2 hours. Yesterday, I ran it in 1 hour! I'm officially down 100lbs since then, and I'm feeling proud! Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Thanks to Coach Michelle at the  Russell Run Club for my 10k training!


All the Way Up: A Windy, Wet, and Wonderful First Half for Clair

The Halifax Half-Marathon weekend was an amazing adventure.  There are many stories to tell, but the race day itself is the heart of it all.

Back when I decided to work on training for a half, I gave myself the pep-talk for consistent hard work with a good coach, running group and time for the slow build. My head knew what it needed to do. My body followed.

When the weekend came closer, I researched the course more.  Holy shit. It was just like me to pick a difficult, hilly course for my first one.  Just like me lol.

So off we went, with carry on bags, back packs and laughter, lots of laughter.

We prepared for the weather - rain and wind, dressed and were ready to give it our collective best.

The course was beautiful with its  ocean views, board walk,  beautiful sites of a lovely city, the provincial park, the oval..... 

There were French horns playing the theme from "Chariots of Fire" along the course, along with dogs in tutus and hands outstretched for hand slaps, water, electrolytes, and nutrition gels.  Signs were everywhere. People were out in droves.  The pacers were there, and the supporting cheers seemed non-stop.  The force of the hype was strong - much like the Titanic.

..and the gun fired, and we were off. There were some hills, but hey, hills are where we live.  The first 10 K was as expected, although my pace was shot in the wind and rain, and cautious as was necessary for the second half.  The second half took us uphill to the gravel and mud trails up a big hill at the Park.  We passed camp site markers and many cheering faces saying "You got this".  The thing about this was that it never seemed to end.  At the end of the more gradual incline, came a steep incline.... and at this point I wanted to rip the faces off all those who were telling me that I could do it.

When I realized that I could walk this part at the same speed as I was running it, I walked. 

Blessedly though, what goes up must come down, and the legs carried on running with hope.

My research told me that the last 4K were again all uphill, albeit more gradually,  all the way to the end when the oval led to the finish line. Halifax, after all is a beautiful hilly city.

So at 18 K, I reached a very slow and sluggish pace, sort of in a trance.  

THEN.. she appeared.  From behind me,  Tara-Lynn Quesnel-Paul, my running fairy godmother came up to me in all her "I need a Tylenol" glory.  She told me to get my ass moving, and so I did.  

When she passed me, it kicked in further that I had to get the legs going stronger, and so I did, and I caught up.



At that point there was a sign saying "Therapy Dog".  Isn't it funny how important elements in our lives converge when we need them quite often?  I mean French horn quintets, cuddly dogs?  Needless to say we both stopped to pet the pooch.

After that it was the run to the finish essentially, warts and all, and it was the best race of my life.  I can't wait to do it again.

2024 Last Annual Vol State: 314 miles of Breakdown and Becoming

July heat. Endless Tennessee roads. And the harsh truth that the Last Annual Vol State Race doesn’t care about your plans—it breaks them apart and rebuilds you into something stronger. Coach Michelle has finally put her experience from her second time running this beast of a race down on paper.  

So grab a lawn chair, a bottle of SunDrop, and a bag of Cheez-Its… it’s a long one.

But hey, so is a 314-mile run across Tennessee.



Share Your Story - We want to Feature You!

Whether you crushed a goal, showed up for your first group run, ran a race, or just had one of those runs that stuck with you, we want to hear about it.


We’re collecting stories, race reports, and results to include in our Monthly Newsletter, Blog and social media highlights. It doesn’t have to be a big moment—sometimes the small stuff hits hardest.


Fill out a quick form and upload a photo if you have one, and we’ll take care of the rest. You’ll always get a draft to review before it’s published.


What Was the Russell Run Club Up to This Month?




Events

Chase the Sun is a Go!

Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Russell High School Track.


We’ve got 13 runners toeing the line for anywhere from 3 hours to the full 15:38.

Nine crazy souls are taking on the ultimate challenge—sunrise to sunset.

Are you not ready for 3 hours solo? Contact us—we might be able to accommodate a shorter effort or help build a relay team.


Let’s make it a day to remember.

Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail Challenge

The Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail Challenge is back on September 27, 2025.

Choose your challenge:

 25 km

 50 km

 50 miles (solo or relay)


Run the stunning Sentier Récréatif Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail from St. Eugene to Hammond and experience a point-to-point ultra with small-town vibes and big-time support.

 Early bird pricing is available until July 31 — don’t miss out!


 Shuttle option available.


 Russell Run Club members: $10 off (valid membership required).


Head to our website to sign up and get all the details https://www.russellrunclub.com/prescottrussellrelay

Let’s make it another epic year on the trail.


For a complete list of Events, go to our website www.russellrunclub.com. For other upcoming races, go to https://www.runguides.com.

Running Clinics


Get ready for the Army Run, Russell Run or find the joy in running. Check out our running clinics scheduled this year.



Group coaching is an excellent option for those who want to train for a specific race without the long-term and financial commitment of 1:1 coaching. Participants can enjoy a highly supported coaching experience while enjoying the perks of being part of an established group.



Group Training Schedule


We have training opportunities up to 5 days a week:


Want to join us? Please RSVP HERE, shoot us a message or email (info@russellrunclub.ca)

If you want to get all the updates real time, follow us on Social Media or sign up for weekly emails.

Join the Russell Run Club Community Facebook Group to see what’s happening with our Members.






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