Helping Others Run – How one man in Ottawa is a role model for runners

Ken Parker is both runner and coach. He is a businessman and volunteer. He is a sponsor to professional athletes and the man who runs the Runner’s Web, (www.runnersweb.com) a resource and tool for athletes at all levels of training. Inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 he is prominent player, and role model, to the sport of running in Ottawa.

Ken’s history in the sport goes back several decades. During an early career with the military he volunteered as race director for the Avon running series. Later, while working in IT he began a low level website which for him was a way to learn code and get information out to people who were runners like himself. Now in “retirement” in his third distinct career Ken has incorporated Runner’s Web as a not-for-profit organization and turns revenues raised from advertising on the site back to amateur sport.

Though the site was originally intended as a running site with information of interest for runners, it has turned into a portal for multi-sport and its content focuses as much on duathletes and triathletes. With news and content as its focus, Runner’s Web shares information and research of interest to runners at all levels of development. It features interviews with people of interest who would be key to athletes serious about their sport and with something to share.

Though originally a runner himself, Ken trumpets the benefits of multi-sport. “In so many ways, from a fitness perspective, multi-sport is really better for you. There is less wear and tear on your joints and the body gets better overall conditioning. The Ironman competitions you hear about are the really far end extreme of multi-sport. For those who want to get the benefits, there are plenty of short distance triathlons that are really great competition and great for you.”

How to start in multi-sport training

“The first thing you should do, no matter how fit you think you are, is to get a complete medical. There are hidden conditions that can be aggravated through training. Your doctor can identify and treat conditions like these before you do any harm. The second thing is to find a trainer or coach at any reputable fitness place. They can help and guide you along the way. After that, reasonable progression and milestones are absolutely key. You can’t start today and participate in a triathlon tomorrow.”

Ken says it’s important to love what you’re doing and make it part of your lifestyle – whatever your fitness regimen is. One thing that makes running so great is that you can do it anywhere and at anytime. You don’t need a facility or equipment and you aren’t working on anyone else’s schedule; you can do it when it best suits you. Running is one sport that can absolutely work for everyone – young or old, male or female; anyone can run.

What about kids and multi-sport?

“Multi-sport is great for kids. It exposes them to a variety of sports and it’s better for their growing bones and joints because there is less strain. It is also a great equalizer because you’ll get some kids who are better runners, some who are stronger swimmers and some who excel on the bike. With multi-sport it evens things out.”

In 1981 Ken started the Ottawa Athletic Club racing team which has developed into a women’s only club. The ability of team members ranges from exceptional marathoners to beginners but what members do have in common is that they are serious about their sport. He believes the group dynamic works exceptionally well for women because they tend to feed off each other – there is always someone to catch up to or someone pushing from behind - and they support each other along the way.

An important aspect of Ken’s work involves sponsorship of up and coming athletes. In considering and seeking out an athlete Ken is not necessarily just looking for the best performance, but rather at the whole package.

“We look for someone who represents their sport well; someone who is ethical, professional and a good role model. With someone who has those personal qualities you know they’ll represent you well and make you proud no matter what the final outcome may be.”

Ken says he also looks for athletes who are well-rounded and those for whom he can make a difference. “It’s really great if you can change the circumstances for someone and give them an opportunity they might not have had otherwise.”

One running event Ken is passionately about is the Emilie Mondor run. Named for a talented young runner who died as the result of a tragic auto accident early in her career, the race is all about showcasing women in running.

“This race really celebrates women’s running. Unlike mixed races where women’s accomplishments can be obscured, in this race it is women who set the pace, lead the race, win the race and whose results are the focus of the race.”

As long as there are runners, and athletes in other sports, there will be people like Ken Parker, inspiring and supporting them along the way. He only wishes there were more supports for amateur athletes both from government and businesses.

“Ottawa is a great city for doing any sport that you want. We are really lucky and people are missing out on something if they don’t take advantage of it.”