Pace Makers: Inside the Ottawa-Gatineau run club community
Ottawa is home to one of the most active running scenes in Canada. You can find a growing list of local run clubs here.
January 2025 Spotlight on Achilles Ottawa: Building an inclusive running community
Highlighting the dedication and achievements of local run clubs and crews brings their stories to the forefront. Near or far, a love for running connects us all to an amazing global running community. This month, we chatted with Achilles Ottawa to learn more about their inclusive community.
Achilles Ottawa is a running and walking club based in the nation’s capital that creates a supportive space for athletes who are blind or visually impaired, along with their trained sighted guides. The club welcomes participants of all vision levels and athletic backgrounds. Its core mission is to bring hope, inspiration, and the joy of achievement to people of all abilities. In addition to weekly runs and walks, Achilles Ottawa regularly takes part in community races across the city and beyond. The group is a proud chapter of Achilles International, a global organization with the same inclusive values.
Founded in 2010 by Ottawa Paralympians Mikhail Gorbounov and Jason Dunkerly, Achilles Ottawa was born out of a shared passion for running and a dedication to helping others in the blind and low-vision community stay active and achieve their goals. In the early days, runners, walkers, and guides would meet at Gorbounov’s home to hit the nearby paths and return afterward for some social time.
Over the years, the group has adapted to meet the changing needs of its members. They’ve tested different meeting spots around the city to improve accessibility and accommodate transportation. Their ideal home was found at the CNIB Community Hub, which offers a safe space for belongings, access to beautiful running routes along the Rideau Canal, and a welcoming place to socialize after group runs and walks. During the pandemic, Achilles Ottawa pivoted to virtual workouts and then met at the Central Experimental Farm for outdoor runs. Thankfully, they’ve since returned to the CNIB Hub, where they continue to thrive.
One standout moment came during COVID when the group creatively used 8-foot bamboo poles to allow runners and guides to safely remain connected while maintaining physical distance. Today, Achilles Ottawa is a familiar and spirited presence at events like the Great Big Cookie Run, Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, and Richmond Road Races, sporting their bright yellow t-shirts!
Many athletes begin their journey with the club unsure of their abilities. But with encouragement and guidance, they go from hesitant first steps to proudly crossing the finish line at events like the Ottawa 10K presented by Otto’s Ottawa. The sense of accomplishment is shared and celebrated by the entire team.
There’s a strong sense of camaraderie within Achilles Ottawa. Members are incredibly supportive, often sharing laughs, tips, and resources. As club president Richard Marsolais puts it “Our relationship with Run Ottawa continues to strengthen, thanks largely to the people involved. Registration support, seamless race kit and bib pickup, and start-line modifications for those who need them have all contributed to a very positive experience.”
Achilles Ottawa meets most Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the CNIB Community Hub (104-425 Marche Way, Lansdowne Park), except on long weekends. Safety is a top priority—sighted guides are well-trained and only paired with athletes once they’re confident and comfortable in their guiding role.
For more information, email achillesottawa@gmail.com or visit www.achillesottawa.ca.
January 2025 Spotlight on Dominion City Run Club: an inclusive community with strong running roots
Highlighting the dedication and achievements of local run clubs and crews brings their stories to the forefront. Near or far, a love for running connects us all to an amazing global running community. This month, we chatted with Dominion City Run Club’s run leads Morgan Oda, Vincent Lepage, Dmitri Therien and Sarah Pétrin-Perron to learn more about the east-endclub.
Dominion City Run Club (DCRC) began as a casual group of runners meeting up weekly for a run and a beer at Dominion City Brewing Co., but has since grown into something much bigger—a thriving, inclusive community that continues to expand every Wednesday night. Officially founded in April 2024, DCRC’s roots trace back even further.
Before 2024, a collaboration between Run Ottawa and Mile2Marathon brought runners together at the Run Ottawa office on Canotek Rd for weekly runs. Four individuals—Morgan, Sarah, Dmitri, and Vince—started out as regular participants, each showing up independently to train and meet new people. It didn’t take long for them to bond over their shared passion for running (and perhaps a post-run beer or two), and soon they grew close to the other runners, despite some not living in the area. When the original run group disbanded, the four friends decided they wouldn’t stop showing up at Dominion City. They continued to run, and before long, the brewery took notice of their frequent visits and reached out to make their gatherings official. And so, DCRC was born.
Now, a year into this exciting new chapter, DCRC is proud to have hosted 35 weeks of runs and is gearing up for even more fun in the second year. Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., the club welcomes runners, joggers, walkers, and everyone in between. There’s no pressure to keep up—DCRC’s motto is “All paces. All abilities. Always.” Whether someone is just starting out, getting back into running, or training for a race, everyone is welcome. The routes vary each week, with the warmer months bringing scenic runs along bike paths and by the river. In winter, the club adjusts to the weather and always offers shorter routes for anyone who needs them.
At the heart of DCRC is its incredible, diverse community. It’s been truly inspiring to see so many different people come together with a shared love for movement, community, and fun. Among the club’s memorable moments: raising over $3,500 for the Canadian Cancer Society, celebrating Halloween with a candy lap event, and closing out the year with a holiday candy cane scavenger hunt to benefit the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard. These events are more than just about running—they’re about fostering connections and making a positive impact.
Looking ahead, DCRC is excited for even more opportunities to grow, host unique events, and showcase fresh new merchandise. The support from Dominion City Brewing has been overwhelming, and the club can’t wait to create even more memories with this fantastic group of people.
So, whether someone is an experienced runner or simply looking to get outside and meet new friends, DCRC invites everyone to join in every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Dominion City Brewery, 5510 Canotek Rd Unit 15, Ottawa. The community looks forward to seeing new faces and continuing to grow together.
December 2024 Spotlight on Hull Sunday Run Day: Building Community, one run at a time
Highlighting the dedication and achievements of local run clubs and crews brings their stories to the forefront. Near or far, a love for running connects us all to an amazing global running community. This month we’re featuring Hull Sunday Run Day. We chatted with their run lead Zackery Liberty to learn more about the run club, and here’s what he shared with us…
Hull Sunday Run Day officially launched on Sunday, May 12, 2024. After joining various run clubs in the Outaouais region, Liberty realized there was a gap in the Hull area for a regular weekend run club that could bring the community together. His vision for Hull Sunday Run Day truly came to life after discovering Bobino Bagel, where their runs depart from every week.
Over the summer, as Liberty participated in races and other community runs, He connected with many people looking for a club like Hull Sunday Run Day, a welcoming and consistent group to join every weekend. Since then, they’ve built a solid core of regular runners who show up every week, and on some weekends this past summer, over 30 runners would attend on Sunday morning! Their members reflect a range of ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, from seniors to families with young children.
The ‘vibe’ of Hull Sunday Run Day is all about inclusivity and community. Runners of all abilities are welcome, and while people show up to run, they stay for the camaraderie over coffee and bagels. It’s been rewarding for Liberty to see people building friendships and connections each week.
One of the highlights for Liberty from this past summer was the launch of their HSRD t-shirts. Making the club a non-profit venture has been important to him from the beginning. That’s why they partnered with Base Gatineau, the local food bank in Hull, to donate 100% of their proceeds to support those in need in the community. Hull Sunday Run Day proudly wore their tees to the last event in the 2024 Saturday 5K Series, where they even won the award for the club with the most spirit!
Hull Sunday Run Day meets every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Bobino Bagel in Hull, right across from the Canadian Museum of History. You can find more information by checking out their instagram account: hull.sunday.run.day.