Runner Up is a brand new net collection that includes a few of the people who find themselves leaders of their native working communities and who make a major contribution to the Canadian working scene.
In case you’ve ever run with any of Ottawa’s many run golf equipment, chances are high Stephen Bierbrier. After an extended hiatus from working, the previous Montrealer obtained again into the game about 10 years in the past, and never solely has he not seemed again, however he has change into a recognizable determine within the Ottawa working scene, beginning new golf equipment and inspiring everybody he meets to get energetic and linked.
“It was a life-style alternative [to get back into running], and I didn’t know what I used to be doing,” Bierbrier says. “I discovered my approach to a neighborhood run membership, who took me in and confirmed me that nothing is horrifying–health and wellness are tremendous enjoyable.” This expertise impressed him to change into a pacesetter amongst Ottawa runners, launching golf equipment, organizing cheer stations at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, the Canada Military Run and different occasions, and maintaining runners up-to-date with all of the free actions out there within the Nationwide Capital area.
Bierbrier, who’s in his 50s, enjoys racing 10Ks and half-marathons, however for him, it’s by no means been about his paces or end occasions, however extra concerning the connections makes whereas travelling to race in new locations. 4 years in, he began Arboretum Hill Membership (the Dominion Arboretum is a part of Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm, and a preferred spot for hill working). Extra not too long ago, he and his companion, Tamara Robinson, began Dawn Trails, main path runs on weekend mornings in Gatineau Park. (In winter, when there may be sufficient snow, they snowshoe run.) He additionally began the Ottawa Free Health Fb and Instagram accounts. Alongside the best way, the couple additionally cast relationships with manufacturers like Brooks, Xact Vitamin, Garmin and Khatoola, for the good thing about their run membership members. (He’s fast to level out that, no, Garmin doesn’t give out free watches!)
Jenn Tuthill, social media supervisor for Run Ottawa (which organizes Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend) has recognized Bierbrier for nearly 10 years. “Ever since I’ve recognized him, he has been a giant ball of enjoyable and vitality, spreading nothing however good vibes via the native health neighborhood and past,” she says. “He’s all the time keen to assist to those that are much less skilled. If you’re part of the Ottawa health and working neighborhood, Stephen.”
Bierbrier works a 9-to-5 job within the federal public service, which his evenings and weekends free to indulge his passions for working and connecting with like-minded individuals who wish to be as energetic as doable. “Ottawa is that this four-season, wonderful place the place you’re quarter-hour away from path working,” he says. “You’ve gotten year-round teams that wish to cycle and run and ski–it’s outstanding!” He’s philosophical about the truth that the native trails don’t provide the elevation you discover in western Canada: “I do know if somebody from Canmore [Alberta] was listening, they’d chuckle,” he says, “but it surely will get us transferring in the appropriate path. And the fantastic thing about it’s, it’s year-round for path runners.”
