Gabriel Jarquin: chasing marathon milestones and cultivating community
Jarquin reflects on marathon goals, raising awareness and flying high with HOKA
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HOKA Canada
Whether HOKA Athlete Ambassador Gabriel Jarquin of Toronto is racing marathons on the international stage, advocating for HIV awareness or serving the 2SLGBTQ+ community, his authenticity and drive set him apart. For Jarquin, 2024 was a year of learning, growth and relentless pursuit—in both his running and his advocacy work. As he enters 2025 with big ambitions and a commitment to making an impact, Jarquin continues to inspire others to embrace their true selves and run—both literally and metaphorically—toward their dreams.
Growing up in Kitchener, Ont., as the son of refugees from Nicaragua, Jarquin found strength in running from a young age, but his relationship with the sport has also faced challenges. After stepping away from running during a difficult period in his 20s, he rediscovered his love for running and transformed his life. “When I started running again as an adult, I swore I’d never run a marathon,” Jarquin recalls. “I thought the distance was crazy and unnecessary. Yet here I am—still running them.”
2024: a year of growth
In 2024, Jarquin tackled two key marathons: Boston and Valencia. Boston, with its iconic course, didn’t go as planned. “I swung and missed,” he says. Valencia presented its own challenges. “I gave in to my fears,” he reflects. “While I still ran a decent race, it reminded me that I need to work on confidence and overcoming my fear of failure.” Despite the struggles, these experiences have fuelled his drive for growth and set the stage for his 2025 goals.
Advocacy and community awareness
Jarquin’s impact goes far beyond the running world. Since sharing his HIV status publicly in 2021, he has become a powerful advocate for destigmatizing HIV/AIDS. “Being open and vulnerable helped me heal while also educating others,” he explains. His journey led to his role as a national ambassador for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), an organization dedicated to ending the HIV epidemic in Canada.
But Jarquin’s activism doesn’t stop there. As a former president of the Pride and Remembrance Association, he played a pivotal role in Toronto’s annual Pride & Remembrance Day Run, one of Canada’s most celebrated 2SLGBTQ+ events. “In my final year, we surpassed $3 million in total fundraising for charities—a huge accomplishment and a moment I’m incredibly proud of,” he shares.
In 2025, Jarquin’s influence will expand further as he joins the Pride Toronto board of directors. “Volunteerism has given me purpose, a way to give back and an opportunity to grow,” he says. He looks forward to helping shape one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations while continuing to champion inclusivity and awareness.
Consistency and confidence in 2025
Looking ahead, Jarquin’s running goals for 2025 centre on two iconic courses: Boston and Berlin. “Boston will be my first major race of the year—my fifth time on that course,” he says. “The challenge of Boston keeps pulling me back. There’s truly nothing like crossing the finish line on Boylston Street, even if you’ve hit the wall in the Newton Hills and crawled your way to the end.”
For Berlin, a familiar favourite, Jarquin is eager to capitalize on his experience. “I’m a repeat offender with these two courses,” he jokes. “That familiarity is something I plan to use to my advantage.” Beyond individual races, Jarquin plans to focus on consistency and mileage. “I’ve always been a low-mileage runner, but I think to get where I want to go, I need to run more. Plus, it’s a great excuse to do more of what I love.”
Flying high with HOKA
As a HOKA Athlete Ambassador, Jarquin finds deep alignment between his values and the brand’s ethos. “HOKA has been a huge supporter of my journey,” he says. “We’ve been storytellers together and collaborated on community-focused events. We share a belief in encouraging people to move—whatever that looks like for them—and showing up as their authentic selves.”
For Jarquin, representing HOKA is about more than performance. “HOKA takes pride in celebrating individuality, which resonates with me deeply. Being able to wear the brand while training and as part of my self-expression is a huge plus. It even helps me pack lighter, which, as someone constantly on the go, is no small thing!”
He also embraces HOKA’s slogan, “Fly Human Fly,” as a personal mantra. “It’s a reminder that our potential is limitless. Every time I lace up my HOKAs, I carry that mindset with me.” The partnership with HOKA has been instrumental in supporting Jarquin’s mission. “With a shared vision of pushing boundaries and innovation,” he says, “HOKA has been clear from the beginning that they want to come along for the ride.”
This story is a collaboration between Canadian Running and HOKA Canada.
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