Boston bound: Gabriel Jarquin’s quest for personal bests and pride

There’s something special about the Boston Marathon. Everyone who lines up on the Hopkinton start line has a story of how they got there and the sacrifices they’ve made. One of those stories belongs to Toronto’s Gabriel Jarquin, who will be lining up for his fourth Boston Marathon next month.

For Jarquin, a HOKA Athlete Ambassador and a pillar of Toronto’s running and pride community, Boston holds a special place in his heart; he has even immortalized it with a tattoo. The allure of the course’s challenges and prestige continues to draw him back. “It’s really special,” Jarquin says. “It’s hard, and runners go there to take on a challenge and suffer.”

Reflecting on his previous races in Boston, Jarquin believes his knowledge and experience of the course can help him break his personal best of 2:39.35 from the 2023 Berlin Marathon. “I felt like I had more in the tank in Berlin, was afraid of hitting the wall but didn’t hit it,” says Jarquin. “In Berlin, you can just focus on pace; but with Boston, you have to be smart. Boston is more about effort than pace–your pace will always change.”

Coached by Jim Finlayson, who also mentors Canadian marathon record holder Cam Levins, Jarquin approaches his fourth Boston Marathon with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the course’s intricacies. “The first 30K is a warm-up; you want to feel comfortable when you hit the Newton hills,” he says. “The thing about Boston is that there are so many milestones; the Wellesley scream tunnel is emotional for me (at the halfway point). There I know people are cheering for me, and it helps with my mindset. In Boston, you gotta use your mind to your advantage.”

Jarquin has been using his story and experience to support others in the struggle for self-acceptance. This year will be Jarquin’s fourth as president of the annual Toronto Pride & Remembrance Run, which advocates for inclusivity and diversity, while raising money for people living with HIV/AIDS. “It’s a cause very special to me; we’ve raised $3,000,000 over the years,” he says.

The partnership with HOKA has been instrumental in supporting Jarquin’s mission. “With a shared vision of pushing boundaries and innovation, HOKA has been clear from the beginning that they want to come along for the ride,” Jarquin says, highlighting the brand’s commitment. Through collaborations such as the Pride & Remembrance Run sponsorship, Jarquin and HOKA are paving the way for meaningful contributions to the running community.

The race has been one of the hottest tickets in Toronto, selling out in less than five days. “The run gives people an option to celebrate Pride differently,” Jarquin says. “We create a safe space and an event for everyone. What you see in the media with the parade makes pride seem like a party, but it’s so much more than that. Our goal is to keep our support for HIV/AIDS at the forefront.”

Growing up in Kitchener, Ont., as the son of refugees from Nicaragua, Jarquin found comfort in running from a young age. He found the sport to be a safe and welcoming place. Upon leaving home at 17 to enroll at the University of Toronto, he quickly became a member of the varsity cross-country and track team. Just as he had in high school, he felt at ease among runners. “My sexual orientation didn’t matter. No one was concerned,” says Jarquin. “I didn’t need to provide any explanations. I was simply Gabriel, the fast runner, and that was enough.”

Each year, Jarquin strives to create a welcoming and safe environment for all runners. “The dream is to turn Toronto into a Boston or a Chicago,” he remarks, emphasizing the accessibility and inclusiveness of the sport in those cities. He believes with initiatives like the Rev & Run, a 5K event affiliated with the Toronto IndyCar weekend gaining momentum, there’s a future where the Toronto running scene continues to flourish. “These events harness the support of the city and foster collaboration among running groups, amplifying the impact of community-driven events.”

As he prepares for his 10th marathon, Jarquin feels he hasn’t yet discovered his true potential. “I want to break 2:30 for the marathon,” he says. “I don’t see myself stopping [anytime soon], but to get to that point it would be special. I am here for whatever that brings.”

Regarding his favourite HOKA shoes and what he’ll wear at his fourth Boston Marathon, Jarquin says he hasn’t made a decision yet. “My favourite for everyday running is the HOKA Clifton,” he says. “For racing, it has to be the HOKA Carbon X 2.”