Matthew Haley began training for this weekend’s Toronto Waterfront Marathon in March with no running experience.
asserted
Haley → begin → experience
The 41-year-old squeezed runs in around a full-time job and raising two young daughters, often training early in the morning around 4 a.m. or late at night closer to 9 p.m. Toward the end of June, Haley said the training had “humbled” him.
“I don’t think I tore or did any serious damage but there was something in my knee that — I guess was an overuse injury,” Haley said.
asserted
Haley → squeeze → knee
Runners of all ages are preparing for the same 42.2-kilometre course challenge on Sunday with 9,456 registered for the full marathon distance.
asserted
9,456 → prepare → distance
For elite runners, their first marathon likely comes after years of long-distance training and speed workouts over shorter distances.
asserted
marathon → come → distances
For recreational runners, the path can look very different.
asserted
path → look → runners
Their first marathon could have been a bucket list item to check off as they get older.
uncertain
they → check → ?
It could be the part of a goal in improving their health.
uncertain
It → improve → health
Or it could be to raise money for charity.
uncertain
it → raise → charity
Haley’s desire to run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon was fuelled by raising money for a charity that helps families like his own.
asserted
that → run → own
His four-year-old daughter Emma was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2025, and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario was there for them throughout her treatment, providing financial assistance and emotional support.
asserted
Group → diagnose → assistance
Heading into the weekend, he was about 20 per cent away from reaching a $5,000 goal.
asserted
he → head → goal
Haley initially aimed to finish the race in under four hours, but after the injury setback his priority became just to finish.
asserted
priority → aim → setback
“I figured, why not,” when asked why he’s attempting to run his first marathon.
asserted
he → figure → marathon
“It’s more the purpose than anything else.”
asserted
It → ’ → anything
Many wonder whether they’ve waited too long before trying.
asserted
they → wonder → ?
According to Dr. Kris Sheppard, co-founder of The Runner’s Academy, age alone may not determine whether someone is ready for the challenge.
uncertain
someone → accord → challenge
Training history, preparation and recovery can matter just as much.
asserted
history → matter → ?
“There’s not like an ideal age, but more of a training age,” Sheppard said.
asserted
Sheppard → ’ → age
A runner’s “training age” or how much experience they have in preparing their body for the demands of the distance is more important than chronological age, he said.
asserted
he → have → age
On the other hand, Perry Mackinnon of Coaticook, Que., is a 28-year-old with more than 12 years of serious competitive running, including NCAA Division I track and cross-country.
asserted
Mackinnon → include → track
Mackinnon’s goal is a podium finish, despite entering a distance he has never raced before.
asserted
he → enter → distance
“Even though it’s new, it’s not fully new,” Mackinnon said.
asserted
Mackinnon → ’ → ?
“You know what I mean?
asserted
I → know → what
I’m a rookie and a vet kind of at the same time at this.
asserted
I → ’m → this
Sheppard explains why these two people can be running the same race for the first time but have very different levels of readiness.
asserted
people → explain → readiness
While a person’s bones, tendons and other tissues require more time to adjust to the impact of running, they can develop cardiovascular fitness faster.
asserted
they → require → fitness
For beginners, regardless of age, this means that progressive training, strength training and recuperation are crucial.
asserted
training → mean → age
“Your fitness can outpace what your body can handle,” he says.
asserted
he → outpace → what
Building fitness gradually, allowing time for recovery and preparing mentally for the demands of the distance all play a more important role than what age you run your first marathon, he says.
asserted
he → build → marathon
To an experienced runner like Mackinnon, the waterfront marathon, which will begin on Yonge St. north of Gerrard St., the mental demands are something every participant can relate to.
asserted
participant → begin → St.
“And I think that’s what connects us,” he said. “Whether you’re elite or not
asserted
you → think → us
The Aporia
