Shows
RUNVAN RundownEp 42 - First Half PreviewEpisode 42 - In this race-week episode, Julia previews everything you need to know ahead of First Half.Part One features a full elite field breakdown, highlighting some of the top athletes lining up on Sunday.In Part Two, Julia is joined by Andrew Mack from RUNVAN to discuss the updated course route, why changes were made, and what runners can expect on race day.This episode sets the stage for an exciting weekend of competition at First Half.Good luck to everyone toeing the line on Sunday!
2026-02-0435 minRUNVAN RundownEp 41 - Bronwyn Davies & Alex NortheyEpisode 41 - Alex and Bronwyn join the show to talk about building a relationship alongside competitive sport. From racing internationally and training as a couple to navigating injuries, expectations, and support, they share what it really looks like to chase big goals together. We also hear the story behind their engagement, including how Alex managed to plan a proposal for someone who plans everything.
2026-01-2858 minRUNVAN RundownEp 40 - Kyle GieniEpisode 40 - Kyle Gieni is a wheelchair athlete, adaptive sport advocate, and a familiar face on Vancouver start lines. In this episode, Kyle shares his journey into endurance racing and setting a Guinness World Record at the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon. We talk about accessibility at races, building inclusive sport communities, and what organizers and athletes alike can do better. An honest conversation about showing up, pushing limits, and making space for everyone in sport.
2026-01-2150 minRUNVAN RundownEp 39 - Maguie QuinteroEpisode 39 - We’re joined by Maguie Quintero, a competitive marathon runner from Mexico and longtime BMO Vancouver Marathon participant. Maguie talks about why she keeps returning to Vancouver, how she manages training and travel across borders, and how running helps her navigate both racing and real life.
2026-01-1440 minRUNVAN RundownEp 38 - Amir NikravanEpisode 38 - This episode features two conversations with Amir Nikravan, one ahead of the Valencia Marathon and one post-race. In the first chat, we talk about his journey through run clubs, his work as a pacer, and creative projects like the Costco Hot Dog Marathon. After Valencia, we reconnect to reflect on the race, lessons learned, and what the experience meant for him.
2026-01-0747 minRUNVAN RundownEp 37 - Year in ReviewIn this year-end solo episode, I reflect on a full season of conversations, races, and community moments at RUNVAN.This episode looks back at the common themes that emerged across the podcast; non-linear paths into running, to the quiet nature of progress, to the roles that exist beyond racing itself. I revisit standout ideas from conversations with athletes, volunteers, organizers, and coaches, and how those perspectives shaped the way I thought about athlete experience and opportunity this year.A reflective close to the year, and a look ahead at what matters moving forward.
2025-12-3130 minRUNVAN RundownEp 36 - Darren KerrEpisode 36 - In this episode, we sit down with Vancouver runner Darren Kerr to talk about discovering running later in life and chasing big goals while living with Cystic Fibrosis. Darren shares how a casual run around Stanley Park changed everything, why running has actually improved his lung function, and what it’s been like returning to training after hospitalizations and IV tune-ups.We also talk about sobriety, community, and the role fitness plays in his everyday life. Darren opens up about running 65km for Cystic Fibrosis, his goal of qualifying for Boston, and his long-term dream of...
2025-12-1745 minRUNVAN RundownEp 35 - Dan LevittEpisode 35 - Dan Levitt is proving that performance doesn’t have an age limit. In this episode, the B.C. Seniors Advocate and dedicated age-group marathoner shares how running shapes his work, his outlook on aging, and his place in the Vancouver running scene. We talk consistency, community, big adventures, and what it means to keep getting better at any age.
2025-12-1038 minRUNVAN RundownEp 34 - Carol-Ann RolleEpisode 34 - Sports dietitian and Team Canada trail runner Carol-Ann Rolle joins us to talk about making nutrition simple, practical, and powerful for performance. We dive into her experience racing on the world stage, how she helps athletes ditch gut issues and fuel with confidence, and what she’s learned balancing her own training with coaching others
2025-12-0350 minRUNVAN RundownEp 33 - Daniel SimpsonDaniel Simpson is a Vancouver runner, marathoner, and community builder best known for founding Kamino Running. A three-time BMO Vancouver Marathon finisher, Daniel blends his love of running with a drive to bring people together. He leads weekly social runs, coaches athletes, and organizes local races that now draw hundreds. Known for his energy, consistency, and recent head-shave fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Canada, Daniel is shaping the next wave of Vancouver’s running culture.
2025-11-2637 minRUNVAN RundownEp 32 - Ken OkondoEpisode 32 - Masters miler, marathoner, and community leader Ken Okondo joins Julia to talk racing, representation, and building inclusive spaces through Surrey Big 5 and Rauka Racing. Ken reflects on how he manages his personal ambitions while continuing to build and support community-driven running spaces.
2025-11-1948 minRUNVAN RundownEp 31 - Tara BassiliEpisode 31 - From road races to rugged mountain trails, Tara Bassili has done it all. A passionate member of the Vancouver running community and a recent finisher of the 200 mile Bigfoot race in Washington, Tara shares how her love for running has evolved over the years.In this episode, she joins Julia to talk about what training for multi-day ultras really looks like, how the trail community continues to shape her, and why finishing Bigfoot felt like closing a chapter.
2025-11-1243 minRUNVAN RundownEp 30 - Tiffany JohnsEpisode 30 - After catching up with Tiffany Johns ahead of her debut marathon, we sat down again post-race to reflect on how it all went. Tiffany’s story is a unique one — from her early days as a professional ballerina to discovering running while still dancing, to now owning Pilates Process Vancouver where she teaches a class specifically for runners. We talked about how ballet shaped her mindset as an athlete, how pilates influences her training, and how she balances life as a business owner, mother of two, and now marathoner. Tiffany shares what she learned through her first mara...
2025-11-0548 minRUNVAN RundownEp 29 - Chelsea Dumasal & Emily LiEpisode 29 - This week, we’re joined by Emily and Chelsea — two UBC students who’ve each forged their own path with running while balancing academics.Emily, a fourth-year Physics and Data Science student, shares how she found her way back to running after stepping away, and how she’s learned to let go of pace pressures to rediscover the joy in training.Chelsea, a Master of Physical Therapy student and kinesiology grad, opens up about how her relationship with running has evolved, from appearance-driven goals to celebrating movement and connection.Together, they reflect...
2025-10-2941 minRUNVAN RundownEp 28 - Aiyana Anderson-MacIsaacEpisode 28 - This week, we chat with Aiyana Anderson-MacIsaac, Executive Director of Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO) — a non-profit creating safe and empowering spaces for Indigenous women, gender-diverse, and non-binary individuals to connect with the land through movement.Aiyana shares how IWO is building community, what it means to move with the land, and how their partnership with RUNVAN and the Great Trek helps open doors for Indigenous participation in sport.
2025-10-2238 minRUNVAN RundownEp 27 - Chris WinterEpisode 27 - From Olympic steeplechaser to sport leader, Chris Winter has seen every side of Canadian athletics. In this episode, Chris shares his journey from competing on the world stage to shaping the future of the sport through his role at Athletics Canada. He talks about balancing grassroots development with high performance, what Safe Sport really means in practice, and how becoming a parent has changed his perspective on competition and community.
2025-10-1546 minRUNVAN RundownEp 26 - Charlotte EllisEpisode 26 - Charlotte Ellis is a new Canadian citizen on a mission to run every street in downtown Vancouver. After being diagnosed with osteopenia and facing multiple fractures, she’s rebuilt her strength, faced her fears, and is slowly working toward her dream of one day running the London Marathon. In this episode, Charlotte shares her journey back to movement, her bone-health tips, and what running means to her today.
2025-10-0847 minRUNVAN RundownEp 25 - Nicole BauerEpisode 25 - Nicole has been competing every season since grade 6 — and still shows up with the same spark. We bond over our shared love of track, swap stories from chaotic call tents, and even debate who’s funnier: sprinters or distance runners. Come for the laughs, stay for Nicole’s attitude that’s kept her in the sport for 20+ years.
2025-10-0148 minRUNVAN RundownEp 24 - Adam BuzinskyEpisode 24 - Adam Buzinsky is a local athlete who was diagnosed with MS in 2022. We talk about his running journey, balancing sport with MS, and his new IG SickBoyTrackClub. Plus, we catch up after Berlin Marathon to hear how it went and what’s next.
2025-09-2447 minRUNVAN RundownEp 23 - Lara PennoEpisode 23 - This week on the RUNVAN Podcast we chat with Lara Penno—coach, athlete, and former RUNVAN Manager of Runner Services. From her days as a sponsored Asics athlete to leading run clinics at Racquets and Runners, Lara shares stories of racing, coaching, and building community in Vancouver.
2025-09-1740 minRUNVAN RundownEp 22 - Jim and Mary HinzeEpisode 22 - Jim and Mary are a married couple who have become fixtures in Vancouver’s running scene. From volunteering at nearly every road race, to officiating track meets all summer long, to biking alongside Olympian Natasha Wodak on her long runs, they’ve seen it all. In this episode, they share how they first got involved, the joy (and chaos) of volunteering together, and the community connections that keep them coming back year after year.
2025-09-1052 minRUNVAN RundownEp 21 - Josh PotvinEpisode 21 - This week, we sit down with Canadian trail runner Josh Potvin. From his 800m track roots to winning the Gorge Waterfalls 50k in course record fashion, Josh has been making his mark across roads and trails. He shares how he balances a full-time career in architecture with training at an elite level, what it means to represent Canada at the upcoming World Mountain and Trail Championships in Spain, and how he handles setbacks like injury and DNFs.
2025-09-0341 minRUNVAN RundownEp 20 - Taylor QuinnEpisode 20 - This week we’re joined by North Shore trail runner Taylor Quinn, who has taken on everything from 50Ks to 100-mile ultras while also traveling the world for work. Taylor shares how running has shaped his life, the stories he’s collected from training and racing at home and abroad, and what the sport means to him today. From volunteering at local races to exploring new countries on the run, Taylor’s journey shows how running can open doors to both community and adventure.
2025-08-2746 minRUNVAN RundownEp 19 - Michael BarberEpisode 19 - Julia sits down with Canadian Paralympian Michael Barber to talk about chasing national records in the T20 800m and 1500m, setting new personal bests, and earning his spot on Team Canada for the upcoming World Championships in India. They share stories of crossing paths at races across North America, his experiences at the Jerome Classic, and how he balances training with his work as a teaching aide in Victoria.
2025-08-2038 minRUNVAN RundownEp 18 - Drew MechielsenEpisode 18 - From the dirt tracks of Olympic BMX racing to the open roads of running and cycling, Drew Mechielsen knows what it means to reinvent yourself in sport. The BC-based Tokyo 2020 Olympian and BMO Vancouver Marathon ambassador shares her journey of transitioning from BMX to endurance sports, the challenges of injury, and how she’s redefining her athletic identity after retiring from elite competition.
2025-08-1358 minRUNVAN RundownEp 17 - Yokohama MarathonEpisode 17 - Vancouver just made it official — we’ve got a sister marathon!In this episode, Julia sits down with Nikolai Muth to talk about the newly minted partnership between the Yokohama and Vancouver Marathons. From what it’s like to race through Japan to why Yokohama should be your next destination marathon, this one’s for the travel lovers, racecation planners, and anyone dreaming of post-run ramen.
2025-08-0638 minRUNVAN RundownEp 16 - Nicole LacisEpisode 16 - Nicole started as a varsity track athlete at UBC, dabbled in the road racing world, and is now making serious waves in the trail scene. After a breakout 5th place finish at the Canyons UTMB 50K, she earned her spot on Team Canada for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. In this episode, we chat about her race-day mindset, the transition from track to trails, and training while working full-time as a lawyer at Lululemon.
2025-07-3043 minRUNVAN RundownEp 15 - Tracy MurrayEpisode 15 - This week we’re joined by physio, triathlete, runner, and mom-to-be Tracy Murray. We dive into how pregnancy is shifting her relationship with movement, how she supports her patients through both physical and mental challenges, and what athletes often get wrong about recovery. Plus: identity, expectations, and an unapologetic love for corn puffs.
2025-07-2345 minRUNVAN RundownEp 14 - Regan YeeEpisode 14 - Olympian and Canadian record holder Regan Yee joins the show to talk about her evolution from steeplechase specialist to 5000m contender. We dive into her athletic journey, her goals for this year’s Jerome Classic, and what it’s like training full-time in Flagstaff. Regan also shares what life looks like outside of running and what she’s chasing next—on and off the track.
2025-07-1647 minRUNVAN RundownEp 13 - Lynn KanukaEpisode 13 - Olympic bronze medallist and Canadian running legend Lynn Kanuka joins the show to reflect on her iconic 1984 Olympic race, the rise of women’s distance running, and her journey from elite athlete to coach and community leader. We talk legacy, why track still matters, and how running continues to shape her life today.
2025-07-0941 minRUNVAN RundownEp 12 - Charlotte BrowningEpisode 12 - Today’s guest brings the rare combo of elite athlete and industry insider. A former NCAA champion and All-American middle-distance runner, she’s now a trend forecaster and product strategist in the sportswear and outdoor apparel space. We talk about her journey through high-performance sport, her current work translating cultural shifts into design strategy, and of course—we geek out on all things track and field.
2025-07-0247 minRUNVAN RundownEp 11 - Andrei MandzukEpisode 11 - This week, Julia sits down with Andrei Mandzuk, a mental performance consultant, climbing coach, and runner who works with athletes ranging from high school to Olympic level. They talk about his recent transition into track and field, how he approaches mental performance across different sports, and what athletes can do to build mental skills that actually stick. Plus: practical advice for staying focused—on the track, the wall, or the trail.
2025-06-2537 minRUNVAN RundownEp 10 - Julia HawkinsEpisode 10 - In this special episode, the roles are reversed. Taylor steps in as host and puts me in the hot seat for a deep dive into my running journey. From early beginnings to personal milestones, moments of doubt, and everything in between—we explore how my relationship with running has evolved over the years, and what continues to drive me forward.
2025-06-1836 minRUNVAN RundownEp 9. - Sach LattiEpisode 9 - Julia chats with Sach Latti, a former Border Services Agent turned endurance runner, who’s about to run across Canada to raise awareness for mental health — despite the fact that he actually hates running. Ahead of his June 16 start, Sach shares what inspired the journey, how he’s preparing, and why pushing the limits of human endurance is worth it if it means breaking the silence around mental health.Follow along at sachinmotion.ca for updates on his coast-to-coast run.
2025-06-1140 minRUNVAN RundownEp 8 (pt.2) - Richard WhiteheadEpisode 8 (pt.2) - In Part Two of our conversation with Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead, we shift focus to his incredible journey as an athlete. He shares the mindset behind his record-breaking performances, what keeps him motivated, and what’s next as he hits the halfway point of his ambitious goal: running 20 marathons in 2025—10 down, 10 to go. If you missed Part One, be sure to check it out for our discussion on inclusion in sport and the power of representation.
2025-06-0436 minRUNVAN RundownEp 8 (pt.1) - Richard WhiteheadEpisode 8 - Paralympic gold medallist, marathon world record holder, and global advocate for inclusion in sport—Richard Whitehead joins us fresh off finishing the 2025 BMO Vancouver Marathon. We talk about what drives him, the power of representation, his transition from the track to the roads, and the mindset that’s helped him redefine limits time and again.
2025-05-2836 minRUNVAN RundownEp 7. - Sandra KilmartinEpisode 7 - Sandra, a Registered Dietitian and former track athlete turned trail runner, joins Julia to chat fueling strategies, common nutrition myths, and starting No Sweat Nutrition, her athlete-focused, inclusive nutrition practice.
2025-05-2139 minRUNVAN RundownEp 6 - Brian TruongEpisode 6 - In this episode, we sit down with Brian Truong, Director of Fitness Education at Fitness World Canada and former national-level powerlifter, to talk all things recovery. Brian shares how his background in counselling psychology shapes his approach to fitness, why sleep is a non-negotiable part of performance, and how recovery is more than just rest—it’s a mindset.
2025-05-1443 minRUNVAN RundownEp 5 - Andrew DaviesEpisode 5 - Fresh off back-to-back wins at the 2025 First Half and BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, where he set a Canadian event record, Andrew Davies joins us to talk training, race-day mindset, and how he’s juggling elite running with law school at UBC. We dive into his transition from the track to the roads, his huge year so far, and what’s next.
2025-05-0740 minRUNVAN RundownEp. 4 - Dayna PidhoreskyEpisode 4 - In this episode, we sit down with Canadian marathoner Dayna Pidhoresky to talk about the highs and lows of elite racing, her path to becoming a consistent national contender, and what keeps her motivated through setbacks and breakthroughs. Tune in for an honest, inspiring look into the life of one of Canada’s top distance runners.
2025-04-3040 minRUNVAN RundownRace Week BONUS Episode - Elite Panel Elite Panel – Race Week Bonus EpisodeIt’s race week! Get inspired by some of the fastest runners hitting the streets this weekend. In this special bonus episode hosted by Natasha Wodak, we’re joined by elite athletes Grayson Murphy, Tristan Woodfine, Ben Preisner, course record holder Dayna Pidhoresky, and defending champion Sergio Raez Villanueva for a candid conversation on race prep, training, and what it takes to line up with the best.Tune in for insights, course tips, and that extra bit of motivation before the big day!
2025-04-2944 minRUNVAN RundownEp. 3 - Evan DunfeeEpisode 3 - In this episode, Canadian race walking legend Evan Dunfee joins us fresh off setting the 35km world record. We dive into the mental and physical effort behind that performance, his hot takes on the current state of sport and social media, and what he’d do if he were in charge of the Olympic Games. Plus, Evan talks about his deep connection to Vancouver, what keeps him coming back to the BMO Marathon, and his personal mission to crack sub-3 on the roads. Funny, honest, and always thoughtful—this one’s a must-listen.
2025-04-2351 minRUNVAN RundownEp. 2 - Dylan AlickEpisode 2 - Dylan Alick is a Canadian distance runner and the defending champion of the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, where he ran a 1:06:02 in 2024. He’s coming into this year’s race with a new personal best of 1:05:23 and plenty of experience on the course. We chat about his approach to race day, what brings him back to Vancouver, and how he’s feeling heading into this year’s race.
2025-04-1628 minRUNVAN RundownEp. 1 - Samantha JoryEpisode 1: From Pandemic Hobbyist to 2:36 Marathoner with Samantha JoryIn this debut episode of RUNVAN Rundown, Julia sits down with Samantha Jory—a self-proclaimed pandemic hobbyist turned competitive runner. Sam shares how she went from casually running during lockdown to clocking a 2:36 marathon and a 1:13 half, achievements that speak for themselves. They dive into her training evolution, race-day mindset, and what it’s like breaking into the elite scene as a newer face with serious momentum.
2025-04-0929 min
RunningFlat Radio PodcastRunVan’s Marathon named Top Destination Race in the WorldVancouver again ranks among the world’s best. Forbes Travel has placed the BMO Vancouver Marathon alongside Big Sur, London, Rio de Janeiro, the Great Wall of China, Rome and Paris, as one of the 12 ‘Top Marathons Worth Traveling For’. We welcome Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of RUN VAN to tell use why the BMO Vancouver Marathon represents as Canada’s top destination race. Song of the Week, Ben Kaplan from iRUN Magazine and much more on this weeks episode of RunningFlat Radio. Tune in live on AM800CKLW at 7pm Tuesday evening or on Podcast.
2016-03-1752 min