Ontario twins embrace the marathon

Kim and Michelle Krezonoski of Thunder Bay, Ont. are used to being competitive with one another. At December’s California International Marathon in Sacramento, Calif., the twins both ran sub 2:40 in their debuts–the 11th and 12th fastest times among Canadian women in 2022.

When Kim and Michelle graduated from a four-year stint at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, they never intended on pursuing running careers or marathons. “We felt burnt out after college, and running began to feel like a chore,” says Michelle.

The duo ran on and off after their university careers, but found that spark for the sport by training together. “Being twins is all we know,” says Kim. “We have learned through our 14 years in the sport to be more appreciative of each other than competitive.”

Although they may have many similarities, Kim and Michelle train very differently; Michelle swears by high mileage training, while Kim only reached 80 km/week during her marathon build. “Michelle is known to be the planner between us. She sticks to a schedule,” Kim laughs.

One similarity you cannot deny is that they both had a 2022 season to remember, setting personal bests from the 5K to the marathon. Besides CIM, another breakout performance came at the Canadian 5K Championships in Moncton, N.B., where the twins placed seventh and eighth.

“What really helped us perform this season was focusing more on recovery,” says Kim. “Eating better, resting better and finding a schedule that works for you has helped running become our passion again.”

Kim and Michelle, who are 29, are currently training together in Kingston, Ont., where they just finished graduate degrees in biomedical and molecular science at Queen’s University. They are coached virtually by Jeff Cunningham of Bat City Track Club in Austin, Texas. “We are individuals who love to run, but we also love our life outside of running,” says Michelle.

After their success at CIM, they are more driven than ever to chase their next goal. “Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., was the first race we ever watched, so it has a special place in our hearts,” says Michelle.

Kim and Michelle say the success of Canadian marathoners Natasha Wodak, Malindi Elmore and Leslie Sexton has inspired them to keep running competitively, but to have fun while doing it. “Your best years are far beyond your 20s, and these women have proved that,” says Michelle.

“Running is a journey, but we’ve learned you have to be patient to see where it leads,” says Michelle.

Their success in California created another goal for the Krezonoski twins: representing Canada in the marathon at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.