The Canadian Running masthead answers: Who is your favourite Canadian runner?

Heading into Canada Day weekend, it’s time to reflect on what makes us proud to call this country home. There are a number of things that Canadians can boast about: our scenery, our friendly communities, our diversity, our culture. But also, we love to celebrate and take part in the accomplishments of those who live here. This country has its fair share of talented people who come from within its borders and so to mark this weekend, we wanted to celebrate some special Canadian runners. We asked our masthead to name their favourite runner–living or dead– and tell us why. Of course, this in not a comprehensive list of every great Canadian runner. We know that this list could be much, much longer…

Jerome Drayton

“Canada’s greatest runner of all-time is Jerome Drayton.

His Canadian record has stood for nearly 41 years, longer than any other of our national records. When he ran 2:10:09 in Fukuoka, Japan in 1975, he was less than a minute off the world record, and won that race. At the time, it was considered to be the informal world championships. Oh yeah, and he also won that race in 1969 and 1976–meaning he was a back-to-back world champ. Outside of hockey, we haven’t produced many of those. A year after, in 1977, Drayton also won a little local race called the Boston Marathon.

For a period in the mid-1970s, Drayton was the best marathon runner in the world. That makes him easily the best runner in Canadian history, but he’s also an fascinating and enigmatic figure. Born Peter Buniak in Germany during the Second World War, he and his family moved to Canada when he was 11.

Drayton changed his name as a young man, reinventing himself, concatenating two of his heroes names together: Derek Clayton and Harry Jerome. He was always reluctant to step into the spotlight, allowing his talent and legendary preparation (rumour has it he once ran over 330K in a week) to do the talking.

Going into the 1975 Olympics in Montreal, he was the favourite to win gold. He disappointed, only placing sixth. Although it was seen as a disappointment at the time, it’s one of the best performances by a Canadian in the Olympic marathon, and no other Canadian has since been even close to being a medal favourite.

Drayton was a dominant marathoner during the golden era of distance running, and he is a fascinating Canadian figure in sports history. Just ask any male elite marathoner over the last 41 years how hard it is to run 2:10:09.”

– Michael Doyle, editor-in-chief

Billy Sherring

“Billy Sherring won Around the Bay twice, came second in the Boston Marathon behind fellow Canadian Jack Caffery and won the 1906 Olympic marathon in Athens. He funded his trip to Athens from his hometown of Hamilton by doubling his $45 budget at the race track and working at the Athens train station when he arrived. His prize was a sheep and a statue of Athena.”

– David Chaundy-Smart, editorial director

Jim Finlayson

“If I have to choose one it is Jim Finlayson. he has combined two of my greatest passions and he is awesome at both of them.”

– Sam Cohen, publisher

Melissa Bishop

“She is a homegrown and true talent. She’s from a small town in Ontario and went to the University of Windsor. Bishop was a remarkable Canadian athlete but that doesn’t always translate to being an international caliber runner. She stuck with Windsor instead of being wooed away to the U.S. When she became professional, she stuck with the same coach.

In the process she has set the women’s indoor and outdoor 800m records. She won a silver medal at the 2015 world championships which is a really big deal and she’s going into her second Olympics as a serious contender to win gold which is unheard of for a Canadian track athlete. To top it off, yes she’s young, but that cements the argument that she’s the best runner because she’s going to continue to do great things.”

– Joel Vosburg, account manager

Lanni Marchant and Natasha Wodak aka “Betty and Veronica”

“I’ve put these two together because like many Canadians running fans, I just can’t seem to split them up. I admire both of these women not just because of their speed but also because of their strength, determination and ability to thrive even during times when things don’t go their way. When that happens, these two handle it with grace.

Marchant has the Canadian women’s marathon record and Wodak is the fastest Canadian woman in the 10,000m. It shouldn’t need to be said that they deserve recognition because of the incredible talent they exemplify at high level racing. I strongly feel that the two of them have brought a great deal of excitement and attention to the women’s running scene in Canada. Watching Lanni’s last few moments of her race at the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon when she narrowly missed breaking her record was one of the most exciting moments in my reporting career so far.

And Wodak. She was sidelined from running for awhile as she dealt with injury. Yet the way she made a comeback to dominate the roads and the track is something that runners of all abilities can take from. When she ran Rock ‘n Roll Arizona in early 2015, she ran a 1:12:23 half, I was inspired. That’s not her most talked about race but that’s the point: when these elites show up to run, they leave impressions on their fans whether or not it’s a championship race or a new record.

I know how many Canadian runners look up to these two– I see that from the comments on the stories we write. But I might as well mention something I’ve observed that doesn’t go in the race report: when other notable Canadian athletes run, these two are the first to congratulate them on social media. They are encouraging the others and that’s just classy.”

-Sinead Mulhern, web editor

Donovan Bailey

“Why do I look up to Donovan Bailey? Because he revived Canadian track and field after the Ben Johnson saga. He also showed that even the best teams (I’m talking about the U.S. 4x100m relay team) could be beat on home soil. His 150m race at the SkyDome against Michael Johnson was amazing.”

-Tim Huebsch, staff writer

Eric Gillis

“Eric Gillis from Antigonish, N.S. is set to represent Canada at his third straight Olympic Games in Rio this summer. He has run the 10,000m in Beijing in 2008; the marathon in London in 2012; and will run the marathon again in Brazil. He has also represented Canada at multiple IAAF World Cross-Country Championships and has won multiple Canadian championships in multiple distances. Gillis is also a king of consistency having run five marathons all within a minute of each other (between 2:11:21 and 2:12:08). In addition to being one of Canada’s best distance runners, he is also a dedicated husband and father.”

– Dan Way, staff writer, Race Guide editor

“Without question: Eric Gillis. He’s a true hero. I love when someone has amazing talent but doesn’t let it go to their head. His character impresses me more than his speed– and that’s saying something.”
– Michelle Kempton, blogger

Sylvia Ruegger

“Absolutely adore Sylvia Ruegger. She’s a trailblazer for women’s running in Canada and such a tough nut. She gave a speech at my high school when I was in grade eleven that made me decide to pursue running at university.”

– Caela Fenton, staff writer

Johnny Miles

“I’m going with Johnny Miles from Nova Scotia. Growing up in Nova Scotia as a young runner, I grew up reading about Boston marathon winner Johnny Miles. I was inspired to run and train hard. Johnny ran and ran hard and long before it was popular and before the time of cushioned running shoes. He was tough.”

– Noel Paine, blogger

“My favourite Canadian runner is Alex Genest. Not only does he balance the training that it takes to be an Olympian, a husband, a father and an advocate for health but he does so with a humility and kindness that is sometimes lacking in athletes at his level. He truly makes Canada proud both on and off the track.”

– Jessica Kuepfer, blogger