Young Canadian runner making his presence known

Every once in a while I am tugged back to the memories of my adolescence. I remember the hot cinder track, the excitement and nerves that were most of the summers for me. My aging and slower mind was roped back to earlier days this time by reading of a young and speedy runner from Fergus, Ont.

Mark Patton

Mark Patton is a 17-year-old runner who will be going into Grade 12 next year at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus. Mark says he is hoping to get into a mechanical engineering program after high school.

Mark says he’s always been drawn to running and started to casually run by himself around Grade 8. He wanted to improve and do more than just show up each season for the track team. He had never won any of the track races at his elementary school prior, but with regular training that began to change. Mark started winning races. Seeing how much training paid off kept Mark running and he soon began to love the sport.

The next step was in improvement was when Mark was introduced to a running team in Guelph, Ont., called Speed River. He says he was instantly welcomed by a coach there, Jeff Haller, and other team members. The team is known as one of Canada’s premiere training teams and regularly produces world championships and Olympic talent.

After joining Mark got even faster.

On July 8 Mark ran a blistering time of 2:28.40 in a 1,000m race. Athletics Canada recorded it as a Canadian youth record.

Outside of the 1,000m distance, Mark also holds impressive bests over 800m (1:54.5) and 1,500m (3:54.09).

A typical training week for Mark

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Mark does workouts will the Speed River club in Guelph. He does strength training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings accompanied evening easy runs. Saturdays are a long run between 70 and 90 minutes and Sundays are his only day off.

I managed to find Mark after reading about his record and had the chance to ask him a few questions.

Why do you like running and do you see yourself always being a runner?

“I love running purely because of how simple it is. Running is one of the hardest sports mentally and physically. To be good at it you need to be strong in both and I like that. I’m positive that I will always be a runner. I don’t see anything that would stop me from going out there and running.”

Any short or long term running goals or dreams?

“Short term goals would be to medal at the national youth championship in B.C. in the 1,500 and 8,00. I would also like to lower my personal best times in both events. Long term would be to represent my country in an international championship. That is a big dream that I have had for a long time. I really would want nothing more than to wear the red and white.”

What did you do to celebrate your record?

“I didn’t really do that much to celebrate. I got lots of high fives and hugs after my race and went to team practice the next day for a workout.

“I would like to add how incredible the Speed River team is. My coach, Jeff Haller, is one of the most dedicated men I know and has really helped me be the athlete and person I am today. The other athletes are all hugely supportive of one another; it’s really like a big family. None of my achievements would have been possible without them.

I still love hitting the track and trying to go fast, but the thrill of being young and doing it is different. Enjoy your youth and squeeze as much speed and fun out of your young, strong years as you can, Mark.

See you on the roads or in the blogosphere!

Do you have a running story to share?

runningwriter@hotmail.com

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