How running is bringing young Canadian couples closer together

Waking up at 6 a.m. for a 10-km run may not be everyone’s idea of a perfect date, but for these Canadian couples, it’s an adventure waiting to unfold. Whether it’s a run to a local brewery for celebratory beers or a chance to share their day between strides, these millennial couples are redefining what it means to be active. Three young Canadian couples from different corners of the country share how running has brought them closer together and sparked their mutual love for the sport.

Expanding their circle

After moving to Ottawa together in 2018, Maria Nomellini, 29, and Jacky Deng, 28, initially struggled to make friends. Over a year later,  the pandemic hit, causing their gym to close. As a result, the pair decided to swap bonding over dumbbells for runs along the Rideau Canal and cycles through the cobblestone streets of Byward Market.  

That’s when Nomellini and Deng unexpectedly stumbled across the Ottawa City Run Club, and “started to create a circle of friends almost overnight, which was a nice surprise,” says Deng. While the two run at different paces, “It’s helpful to run together because I am reminded by [Nomellini] to enjoy it and take things slow,” says Deng. “Now I’m a run lead for the club, and many of our friends are there,” says Deng. Through running, the couple has learned new ways to enjoy each other’s company and the importance of carving out time for friendships.

Tying the knot and their laces

Robbie Watson, 27, and Taylor McIntosh, 27, of Vancouver, decided to mix some friendly competition into their race for the aisle. As two former University of British Columbia athletes, the couple first connected over their shared passion for sports. After getting engaged last summer, McIntosh explains, “We mutually decided that running 42.2 km had to be less painful than wedding planning and would provide a nice outlet to put our energy into.”

In January, the two began their training, often “running routes in the opposite direction to each other to allow for a smile or look of despair mid-way through a run,” says McIntosh. McIntosh says running with Watson has taught her about his determination and discipline in the face of a new challenge, while Watson says he has learned they share more than love for each other but also their favourite model of running shoe. Despite the stress of wedding planning, circling Vancouver’s sandy beaches and jewel-toned hills has provided the couple with new experiences and laughter, making the process much more enjoyable.

Over in Montreal, new mother Dora Hsiao, 30, explains how she simultaneously fell in love with running and her husband, Ben Koopferstock, 36. The two first met at Yamajo Run Crew in 2019 and bonded over their love of running and their goal of racing the Boston Marathon. “Both of us are hard-working; you can see that through our running. We are very disciplined and flexible, and having one another push us to our goals was helpful.” In 2021, their mutual support and hard work paid off when they accomplished a series of milestones, running the New York, Boston and Berlin marathons.

“It is always nice to have each other,” says Hsiao. “Ben’s a bit faster than me, so he usually tries to run around and catch me crossing the finish line.” Earlier this year, Hsiao and Koopferstock welcomed a new member into their dynamic duo, adding stroller training to their Saturday mornings. “Running adds a lot to our relationship,” says Hsiao. “And now we can even integrate these things with our son, making it a family activity.”