Happy New Years to our running family!
If you’ve been following the Run Calgary blog and read my first few blogging attempts, then you likely know that Run Calgary (and running in general) is enjoying a period of growth; and our organization is very much looking forward to a banner year in 2025!
As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we hired for a number of roles which will help right-size current staff responsibilities and bring in experts to focus on specific roles, therefore investing further in our community and fulfilling our new strategic plan. Refresh your memory here if you want to see who’s been on staff building Run Calgary for the last number of years and you will be up to speed.
That brings me to the first blog of 2025, I’m thrilled to introduce you to the newest members of the Run Calgary team (in alphabetical order).
The Youth Coordinator is a brand new position dedicated to leading one of our key pillars: get more kids moving for life. In this role, Fiona will lead the direction for our Youth Team Challenge, Kids Races, Diaper Dash, community outreach and all things youth-related!
ABOUT FIONA
As the Youth Coordinator at Run Calgary, Fiona brings a passion for inspiring the next generation to get active. With a background in psychology, youth programming, and competitive Highland dancing, Fiona has extensive experience fostering community connections and creating engaging activities for children. A lifelong runner and outdoor enthusiast, she is committed to enriching lives through fitness and ensuring all youth have access to fun, inclusive opportunities to stay active.
QUICK-FIRE FAQ
What’s something that we wouldn’t know about you but should: I recently returned to Calgary after living in London, England, for two incredible years. While I feel fortunate to have experienced life across the Atlantic, nothing quite compares to Alberta’s majestic mountains and endless blue skies.
I am excited to learn: from my incredible colleagues, who bring such diverse backgrounds, creativity, and a wealth of knowledge to the team. It’s truly inspiring to see how passionate everyone is about what they do, and I’m eager to absorb their expertise and collaborate in meaningful ways to get our community moving.
I am excited to contribute: to the Youth Team Challenge. Empowering youth to support charities and causes they care about while staying active alongside friends, peers, and teammates is such a meaningful and inspiring initiative—what’s not to be excited about?
My favourite way to celebrate after finishing a race (or dance competition) is: by enjoying great food, relaxing with friends and family, and catching up on as much sleep as possible!
Joanna is filling a new position to create, design, market and fulfil a new merchandise program to bring the (refreshed) Run Calgary and Servus Calgary Marathon brands to life through an exciting design-forward approach.
ABOUT JOANNA (JO)
Joanna Magik is a seasoned Marketing and Creative Director with over 15 years of experience leading brand strategy and product innovation for global sport and lifestyle companies such as Red Bull, Lululemon, and Quiksilver/Roxy. Through her creative agency, We Are Super Normal, she specializes in building compelling brand identities, developing merchandise solutions, and driving e-commerce success. Joanna is also a full-time touring DJ/Producer performing at premier festivals and events including Calgary Marathon since 2013.
QUICK-FIRE FAQ
What’s something that we wouldn’t know about you but should: I don’t do sandals. Even as a lifelong surfer. I’m allergic to open-toe footwear.
I am excited to learn: more about the Calgary running community.
I am excited to contribute: a collection that inspires participants and makes the broader community proud of how running is represented.
My favourite way to celebrate after finishing a race is: to hit the dance floor.
Juanita is returning in an expanded role as the volunteer coordinator taking on more responsibilities and leading the program as Jill Petkau moves into a full time operations role.
ABOUT JUANITA
Born and raised on the prairies of Saskatchewan, Juanita is a creative at heart, driven by curiosity and the desire to make change easier for people at work, people in school, and people living their best life. She is honoured and proud to be mom to a 12 year old kiddo, one dog, one cat and a hamster. She is also an avid runner and wellness enthusiast.
QUICK-FIRE FAQ
What’s something that we wouldn’t know about you but should: I am into physics and chemistry.
I am excited to learn: how things work and what makes people happy.
I am excited to contribute: creative skills and energy, as well as expertise in all things change, and many things wellness.
My favourite way to celebrate after finishing a race: includes many conversations and story telling moments with friends! (And a good IPA).
Lauren is returning for the third year, leading the operations for Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run, Walk & Wheel and also coordinating the aid stations for the Servus Calgary Marathon.
ABOUT LAUREN
Lauren has worked at the intersection of sports and education for a decade, and adores that her role at Run Calgary allows her to support and embrace the Calgary running community. Lauren grew up as an athlete and has participated in a handful of marathons and Ironmans. When she’s not supporting our athletes and operations, Lauren teaches in the Health and Physical Education Department at Mount Royal University and pursues research in coaching effectiveness.
QUICK-FIRE FAQ
What’s something that we wouldn’t know about you but should: I lived in the US for ten years. I was a student-athlete in the NCAA, spent eight years in the Midwest, and then lived in Colorado for several years after that.
I am excited to learn: more about how to support our running community, and why our athletes turn to Run Calgary events to support that community.
I am excited to contribute: my experience in tying operations to the personal experience, and how we can support you with more than just logistics.
My favourite way to celebrate after finishing a race is: a patio beer and/or a dip in the river.
Trevor is filling a net new position to support the operational growth of the organization both with Servus Calgary Marathon race weekend and other events Run Calgary is launching soon (watch for my next blog when I expand on all of this!)
ABOUT TREVOR
Trevor is an accomplished retired athlete and a leader in the community. He has a marathon personal best of 2:09:51, has represented Canada at the Olympic Games and on several other National Teams for cross country running, the 10 km, half marathon, and marathon. He also holds the Canadian course record at the Boston Marathon (2:10:52). He has been an active member of the SAIT Trojans, Bow Valley Harriers, Calgary Spartans, Speed River youth programs, and the BC Endurance Project. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his family (no matter the activity), coaching other runners to achieve their goals, giving back to the community through local events and volunteer opportunities, and dabbling in hobbies such as golf and photography.
QUICK-FIRE FAQ
What’s something that we wouldn’t know about you but should: I get in a good workflow listening to Linkin Park.
I am excited to learn: all of the ins and outs of event management with Run Calgary.
I am excited to contribute: to the team, work in a collaborative environment where we all bring the best out of one another, and to be a part of the growing running community.
My favourite way to celebrate after finishing a race is: is hanging out with friends in the park.
Varun is filling a new-ish role. It’s the first time we have combined our 3-year old Corporate Team Challenge and the Charity Challenge into a singular role. Maureen (Mo) is passing the reins to Varun to manage our charity and corporate teams; but don’t worry, Mo is still here and shifting her focus to office management and participant experience!
ABOUT VARUN
Varun Chopra is a passionate community builder with over eight years of experience in creating meaningful connections both online and in-person. Varun is a self-identified fun runner, and while he’ll happily hit a 10 km on a regular Sunday, he is yet to run his first marathon. Since moving to Calgary from his hometown of Montreal in 2017, Varun has worked to make an impact on local businesses and organizations, including leading community engagement initiatives as Shopify’s Calgary Community Manager. With a proven track record of fostering strong partnerships and enhancing program efficiencies, Varun brings his expertise to Run Calgary to elevate engagement with participants, partners, and volunteers alike. Outside of work, Varun is a published songwriter, a filmmaker, a dance coach, and a smart home enthusiast.
QUICK-FIRE FAQ
What’s something that we wouldn’t know about you but should: I have had a professional puppet since I was around 12; he was built by someone who worked on the show Fraggle Rock. My mom bought him for me because Jim Henson was one of my hero’s but she also discouraged me from pursuing puppetry as a career.
I am excited to learn: more about the running community in Calgary as a whole and how we can engage them
I am excited to contribute: to growing Run Calgary’s community and bring my skills and experience to the team
My favourite way to celebrate after finishing a race is: to decompress with a meditation session and a shower.
WOW! Impressive – right? So what kind of impact is Run Calgary hoping to have by adding all of this breadth of knowledge and expertise? That’s a teaser to lure you back for my next blog where I am going to share how we plan to deepen Run Calgary’s impact and ensure organizational sustainability for the next 60 years.
Thank you for reading and please leave a comment if you found it informative, and if nothing else I am told these updates can boost our SEO!
Happy running,
Kirsten Fleming
Comments 8
Kirsten,
That is quite the “A Team” you have assembled to make Run Calgary even better than it is now. I look forward to how your team will change, enhance and grow all the Run Calgary Races and Events. Congratulations to all in their new roles.
Happy New Year to you all and happy running to all Run Calgary staff and all Calgary runners.
Wow!!! Very impressive additions to the team. Can’t wait to see what Run Calgary delivers this year 🙂
A great team getting even better !!!
Thanks Danny! We couldn’t agree more!
I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO MEET AND HELP THT NEW TEAM. BRAVO.
We can’t wait for everyone to meet them! The countdown is on for May!
We’ve come a long way since August 10th, 1963 when our coach and first Marathon organizer Doug Kyle brought us into some uncharted waters. We were the first Marathon in Western Canada with nineteen runners at the starting line and twelve finishing. There were no spectators and for most of us this was a new experience and a real eye-opener! Thanks to Doug Kyle, we hosted the 1964 Canadian Marathon Championships and Olympic Trials and Calgary was now on the map as one of the best Marathon programs in Canada. We also hosted the 1968 Canadian Marathon Championships and the Olympic Trials to support this belief.
Thanks to Kirsten Fleming and her staff, the tradition has carried on for 60 + years and is now a major event in Calgary, attracting people from all over Canada and Internationally. As an original competitor and finisher in the first Marathon, I congratulate you on keeping our original dream alive. You are the very best at what you do!
Hof-Daddy is the best hire ever!!!!