About Us

Your city, your races. Run Calgary partners with our city's most beloved institutions showcasing beloved organizations, spaces and causes  through exceptional events. Create lasting memories and new traditions when you sign up for, train and participate in any of our annual events. Scroll down to learn more!

Mission + Values

Our Mission

Run Calgary is the fabric of the running community, enriching lives through diverse, fun and exceptional fitness experiences.
Crafting

Our Vision

Through extraordinary experiences Run Calgary inspires people to move, cultivating healthy communities that are passionate about giving back.
Design

Our Values

COMMUNITY

We connect people, charities and partners through year-round collaboration, and vitalize our community by promoting healthy, active living and fun social engagement.

INNOVATION

We embrace original ideas. We consistently evaluate our processes, and ourselves, and use our passion and collective knowledge to enhance the participant experience.

SAFETY

We put the safety of people first. From conceptualization to execution, safety is at the heart of what we deliver for participants, volunteers, staff, spectators and partners.

INTEGRITY

We listen carefully to our employees, volunteers, participants and stakeholders, and we operate in shared respect and truth.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We strive to deliver inclusive, accessible events that are environmentally and economically sustainable.

ACHIEVEMENT

We inspire individuals and communities to achieve what they never thought possible.

Our Impact

Run Calgary events, including the Calgary Marathon race weekend, bring more than 25,000 runners together annually. Collectively, our events raise near $1 million dollars annually for local charities and contribute to the health and vibrancy of our communities.
Design

We work as hard as we run —

Board of Directors

Run Calgary is governed by the Calgary Marathon Society, a not for profit volunteer organization made up of CEO's, CFO's and business owners in their own right, all of whom share a passion for running and community service.

Louise Taylor

Chair

Paul Chiswell

Vice-Chair

Melissa Paauwe

Treasurer

Arielle Fitzgerald

Secretary

Nancy Farries

Member at Large

Neil Barss

Member at Large

Justin Petkau

Member at Large

Shari Macdonald

Member at Large

Chet Anand

Member at Large

Meredith Conrod

Member at Large


Senior Leadership

Our 5 full-time staff are supported by thousands of volunteers, contract employees, multiple Calgary agencies, our sponsors and partners, and our board of directors.​

Kirsten Fleming

Executive Director

kirsten@calgarymarathon.com
Kirsten lives and breathes the Calgary Marathon and can't imagine doing anything else. After a 10-year career as a TV journalist, Kirsten left it behind to make her passion her job.

Jon Bird

Operations Director

race.director@calgarymarathon.com
Jon was introduced to competitive sports at the age of four; his combination of high energy and a fascination with the water prompted the Bird family to enroll Jon in the University of Calgary Tiny Olympic Prospects swim program.

MAUREEN MACDONALD

Charity Challenge Coordinator & Director of Runner Experience

info@calgarymarathon.com
Maureen's passion for running started about 15 years ago. The first, and only, marathon she participated in was the Calgary Marathon in 2009.

JilL PETKAU

Operations Manager & Volunteer Program Manager

volunteer@calgarymarathon.com

As Run Calgary’s Volunteer Program Manager, Jill has been able to bring together her passion for running with her interest in volunteer and community development.

EMILY MILES

Marketing Manager

marketing@calgarymarathon.com

Bio Coming Soon

Hall of Fame

Raising the Bar

The runners who have raised the bar, on and off the route.
In our commitment to the promotion and celebration of road running, we annually honour those who have contributed to the growth and development of road racing in Canada. As the stewards of Canada's longest running marathon we are committed to acknowledging individuals through the Run Calgary Hall of Fame.

Awards

Volunteer of the Year Award - in memory of Jim Clampett.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is annually awarded to a volunteer who has made considerable contributions to Run Calgary. It is named in memory of Jim Clampett, a board and Calgary Marathon committee member, a dedicated member of the running community, champion of the sport and tireless volunteer until his death in 2014.

Alice Daszkowski

(2023)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community
Alice has been our Awards Lead for the past 20 years and has helped us evolve the Awards production through four Venue sites from Millenium Park, to Bridgleand to the Stampede Grandstand and now to Enmax Park.  Throughout it all, Alice has brought forward her sparkling personality and enthusiastic attention to detail to ensure that the awards recipients feel well recognized for their accomplishments.

Lynn Tajcnar

(2023)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award
For many years, Lynn has been supporting the Run Calgary community and the Servus Calgary Marathon in a variety of volunteer roles. In 2022, with the return to in-person interactions with participants, Lynn brought forth her project management skills to elevate and streamline the Package Pick-Up experience. Lynn has also been a dedicated Tail Cyclist for most of our events, bringing the last runner or walker in safely and cheering them on along the way.

Shamel Elsayed

(2022)

Honouring a Decade Long Charity Participant
This is Shamel's tenth year participating in the Calgary Marathon race weekend and raising funds for Spinal Cord Injury Alberta through the Charity Challenge. In that time, Shamel has raised over $200,000 for SCIA, a commitment he made after receiving critical support from the organization 30+ years ago when a life altering injury left him in a wheelchair. We can't wait to see Shamel and his team in 2022!

Sharon and Tom Higgins

(2022)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award
Beginning in 2017, Sharon and Tom have helped with many different Run Calgary events. Additionally, when the pandemic hit, Run Calgary shifted to virtual events with Sharon and Tom volunteering thousands of hours to pack and ship countless race packages. The Run Calgary Volunteer Program has benefited immeasurably from their leadership, commitment, and willingness to tackle big tasks.

Elaine Kupser

(2021)

For 30 Years of Positive Impact
Elaine has been delivering Calgary health and wellness content to this community for 30 years through Impact Magazine. As publisher, she has elevated the wellbeing of Canadians. We eat better, discover new ways to sweat and champion Canadian athletes because Impact keeps us informed.

Trevor Hofbauer

(2021)

For Inspiring A Generation
Trevor represented Canada in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the Mens Marathon. On his way, he dazzled the Canadian running scene with his humble approach, coaching himself and breaking records along the way. He inspires all levels of runners to believe in themselves and chase their dreams.

Dan Ouimet

(2021)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community
Dan Ouimet sat on the Board of Directors for 9 years, six as President and Chair. Under his leadership, the organization went from 5000 to 15,000 participants and expanded its elite program, race series and even hosted a National Championships.

DOUG BASSETT

(2021 posthumous)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award
Doug was an exemplary volunteer, never balking at the early call times or nippy late season conditions. Doug was our volunteer sound technician and he elevated Run Calgary race experiences during his 4 years volunteering with the organization.

Liane Blandford

(2019)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award

Liane manages 350/1500 race weekend volunteers who are responsible for participants bibs, race transfer, late reg and t-shirts. And she does it all without breaking a sweat.

Gerry Miller

(2018)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community

Dr. Gerry is a Calgary Marathon legend, on his way to becoming an octogenarian 6-star World Marathon Major finisher in 2020. Dr. Gerry has led hundreds of runners through the finish over the years as a pace bunny.

Dr Andrew Wade

(2018)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award

For elevating the medical protocols at the Calgary Marathon through his dedication to sport medicine and the organization.

Kim Anderson

(2016)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award

For her tireless dedication to check your bag AND get it back to you - has been leading the Huntington Society's Bag Check for the last 7 years.

Dave and Linda Foo

(2016)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award

For a decade of service to the organizing committee as the sign coordinators. The job where you don't even get to see the race.

Rob Reid

(2015)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community

A four-time champion of the Calgary Marathon ('80 '81 '82 and '86) Rob relocated from Calgary to Victoria in 1987, and opened an independent running store. Rob is the chair of the Terry Fox Centre and supports the Victoria Marathon as the store sponsor.

Helly Visser

(2015)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community

At 85+ Helly is a remarkable runner (and not just for her age). She holds half a dozen Masters World Records and is often recognized out running in and around Calgary or on the track.

Barrie Griffiths

(2015)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award

For more than a decade Barrie volunteered on both the committee (Aid Station Captain) and the board (Treasurer). He is often the first to put his hand up to volunteer on race day in a variety of roles at many Run Calgary races.

Ed Bickley

(2014)

Retired Bib #501

We retired Ed's bib #501 and inducted him in to the Hall of Fame in our 50th Anniversary celebrations for his many years of participation in the Calgary Marathon races.

Jim Clampett

(2014)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community, Posthumous

Jim’s tireless dedication to amateur athletes in their pursuit of excellence found him on both the board and committee for many years. We celebrated 50 years of the Calgary Marathon with Jim the night before he passed suddenly on the ski hill doing what he loved.

Lorna Hawley

(2014)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community

Lorna Hawley did a lot to promote competitive running for women, winning the race from 1981 - 1985.

Patricia Webster

(2014)

The Jim Clampett Volunteer of the Year Award

20 Years of Service to The Calgary Marathon Society as the medical coordinator. When Pat "retired" and moved to Kelowna, we replaced her with 3 people.

Angus Cowan

(2013)

For Outstanding Contribution to the Calgary Running Community

Going in to its 18th year in 2019, Amble with Angus, an idea sparked over coffee, has fundraised over $400,000 for the Calgary Food Bank.

Dr. Peter Neiman

(2013)

For Exceptional Efforts Promoting Running in the Calgary Community

Going in to its 18th year in 2019, Amble with Angus, an idea sparked over coffee, has fundraised over $400,000 for the Calgary Food Bank.

Carmen Robinson

(2013)

First Female Marathon Winner: 1975, Posthumous

Carmen Robinson of Banff was the first recorded female finisher in 1975 with a time of 3:50:12.

Tamara & Rob Stichbury

(2013)

Volunteers of the Year Award

The Stichburys are the heart, brain and soul of the Calgary Marathon. Few runners may know their name or recognize their faces as this humble couple have served behind the scenes for over 20 years. Working with 5 race directors over 4 venue changes, their tireless commitment has allowed the race to evolve and provided necessary continuity. Please never retire.

The Calgary Roadrunners

Founding Club of the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon

The Calgary Marathon was birthed and supported in its infancy by the board of the Calgary Roadrunners. Eventually it required its own board but the connection to its founding club have remained strong.

Bill Wyllie

First Race Director in 1963

Bill started running in the 1960s and ran until just a few months before he died in 2016. He was well-known in the Calgary running community and organized many races, including as first ever race director in '63. He coached UCalgary's cross-country team and raced competitively from the mile to ultra- marathons, including over 70 marathons.

Martin Parnell

Author, Speaker and Guinness World Record Holder

Martin started his "Quests for Kids" initiative completing 10 "Quests" and raising $1.3m for Right To Play. His quests included running 250 marathons in one year, setting five Guinness World Records and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 21 hours, resulting in 27,000 children being given the gift of hope.

Dr. Benno M. Nigg

Researcher, University of Calgary

Dr. Nigg's research on biomechanics, knee injury and prevention furthered sport medicine contributing to the knowledge that keeps runners running longer. All hail Dr. Nigg.

Marcel LaMontagne

Course Measurer

For many years and iterations of the Calgary Marathon route, Marcel ensured the course was exact. Waiting until the snow melted, he went out with a police escort and over the years using different technologies, measured and submitted the routes for sanctioning and certification. Marcel also organized the lead cyclists until stepping down in 2016.

Doug Kyle

Founder of the Calgary Marathon

Doug Kyle represented Canada in the 1954 British Empire Games, the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games, and the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games. At the 1959 Pan Am Games, he won a silver in the 10,000m and a bronze in the 5000m races. Doug won 14 Canadian Open Championships and held Canadian Open records in 11 different distances.

Margaret Carleton-Glover

Race Director Alumni

Carlton-Glover was the event's first ever female race director in the 1980's and is largely credited for taking Calgary Marathon to the next level during the running boom.