Athletics Ontario Running Podcast

The Athletics Ontario Running Podcast explores the stories behind trail and road running in Ontario. A main goal of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast will be to reach those that we are not already reaching, to give voice to the underrepresented members of our community and bring these stories to the masses.All people, all speeds, all terrains, all abilities are welcome. For you, for all, for life.

Athletics Ontario Running Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by John Shep, with 238 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

John Shep hosts Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, a sports show with 238 episodes published.

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  Episode #238

  EP 238: Sandra Auger - Chasing Team Canada by Winning the 2026 Persistence Backyard Ultra

  Aug 20, 202643 min

  In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Sandra Auger—former competitive gymnast turned elite distance runner—fresh off her incredible victory at the 2026 Persistence Backyard Ultra in London, Ontario. Sandra opens up about how running became her sanctuary for processing grief, propelling her from traditional road marathons into the mind-bending world of backyard ultras. She takes us behind the scenes of balancing an intense elite training and recovery plan in Brooklyn shortly after giving birth, proving that motherhood and ultra-endurance can coexist. Joined by her trusted "assist" and fellow runner Joe Dubois, Sandra shares the gritty realities of outlasting the field through a relentless 30-hour deluge—a grueling effort that earned her a "silver ticket" for Team Canada and a spot at the upcoming World Championship team event in British Columbia. Learn more about Sandra Auger at: https://www.instagram.com/san_auger Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

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  Episode #237

  EP 237: Crossing Lines Playbook - Redesigning the Start Line with Crossing Lines

  Aug 13, 202639 min

  In this in-person episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, the Crossing Lines gentlemen return to dive into their game-changing new resource designed specifically for race directors, event organizers, and industry leaders looking to build a more equitable running community. Developed in partnership with Bloom, the Crossing Lines Playbook provides a highly practical, actionable framework to address long-standing gaps in safety, representation, and accessibility for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) runners. We explore how you can take simple, achievable steps to completely refresh your start line and design events where every runner feels they belong. Whether you manage a local 5K or a major marathon, this conversation offers the tools you need to shift from standard planning to intentional inclusion. Plus, learn how you can get your hands on this free guide and partner directly with the Crossing Lines team to transform your next event. Learn more about Crossing Lines and their great work at: https://www.instagram.com/xcrossinglinesx Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

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  Episode #236

  EP 236: Erin McDougall of Dirty Soles Trail Running - Trail Running Without the Price Tag

  Aug 6, 202642 min

  In this episode, we sit down with Erin McDougall of Dirty Soles Trail Running, to talk about the evolution and heart behind one of Ontario's most community-focused race organizations. Erin shares his journey from taking over the legendary Fat Ass Trail Run in 2018 to teaming up with Naomi Coker to build a series of races that prioritize people over profit, keeping trail running accessible, affordable, and authentically grassroots. We dive into how Dirty Souls keeps registration costs low enough for whole families to participate—from using manual timing to championing awesome local venues like the Batawa Ski Hill. Plus, Erin breaks down the inspiration behind their most unique event formats, including the high-energy Happy Hour Friday Night Runs and the gritty Sugar Bush Shenanigans endurance challenges. Learn more about Dirty Soles Trail Running and their great work at: https://www.instagram.com/dirty.soles.trail.running/ Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

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  Episode #235

  EP 235: Adam Saltarelli - The 550-Mile Summer: Running Around Lake Ontario for Jumpstart

  Jul 30, 202633 min

  Fresh out of high school in Port Colborne, Adam is gearing up for LO550—an astonishing 550-mile journey entirely around Lake Ontario to raise funds for Canadian Tire Jumpstart, helping kids overcome financial barriers to sports. Inspired by Canadian running icons like Terry Fox, he is averaging a marathon a day for 21 days starting this August. In this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Adam to talk about the physical and mental prep behind this massive multi-week trek, how a Grade 8 "Couch to 5K" program with his dad started it all, and how the community can get involved by sponsoring individual miles. Tune in to hear from a young athlete proving that you're never too young to chase an impossible goal and make a massive impact. Want to sponsor a mile or track Adam's progress? Check out his LO550 campaign and find out how you can cheer him on! Learn more about Adam and LO550 at: https://www.instagram.com/adamsaltarelli Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

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  Episode #234

  EP 234: Dr. Danny Grossi - From Patient to Pioneer of PIRX

  Jul 23, 202642 min

  In this deeply moving episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with physician and competitive runner Danny Grossi to hear a story of unimaginable resilience and innovation. After a stellar collegiate career at Princeton, a sudden medical condition sidelined Danny for decades. His triumphant return to the sport in his 50s was abruptly halted by a life-threatening blood clot and severe compartment syndrome. Facing multiple intense surgeries, doctors delivered a grim warning that he might never walk again, let alone race. Refusing to accept this fate, Danny leveraged his extensive medical expertise and a rigorously data-driven mindset to engineer a grueling but successful rehabilitation process. This harrowing journey sparked a powerful new mission, leading him to develop PIRX, a cutting-edge, AI-powered training app designed to predict race performance and optimize physiological outcomes. Tune in to discover how one athlete transformed the terrifying threat of limb loss into a technological breakthrough dedicated to helping runners everywhere reach their ultimate potential. Learn more about Danny and PIRX at: https://www.instagram.com/pirx.app/ Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/

  ListenShow Notes

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