Meet the Run Leaders - Summer 2024 Session
Our Run Leaders are pillars of the wonderful community we're proud to call our own. We at Frontrunners want to celebrate their contributions and introduce to you some of the people running the Summer '24 clinic session.
Meet the Run Leaders
Kristin Lefler
Which clinic are you a part of this summer?
After doing a few marathon clinics since 2022, I'm joining the half marathon group this summer.
What is your background in running (and previous clinics)?
I ran my first half marathon (Oak Bay half) in May 2009 after being talked into it by one of my dragonboat friends... a few years after that I ran the Victoria half a few times and the north Olympic discovery half marathon (training on my own... supplemented by playing soccer). I joined my first Frontrunners clinic in 2015 and never looked back. Shortly after I signed up as a half marathon leader... ran the RVM half and BMO before signing up for my first marathon... the RVM full in 2017! In my first marathon I qualified for the Boston Marathon, which I ran in 2019. Since 2017 I've run 9 marathons, including the New York City marathon, Newport marathon, Chicago marathon, Skagit Flats marathon, Tunnel Light marathon, and ran Boston in 2023 and 2024! I've also run the Vancouver fall classic half and the First Half in Vancouver... in 2021 I welcomed my first child and began my postpartum running season... since being a new mom I've trained consistently (including running 2 half marathons and 5 marathons -- Skagit, Chicago, Boston, Tunnel Light, and Boston).
How long have you lived in Victoria?
I am Victoria born and raised!!!
If you were to take someone from out of town on a run in the greater Victoria area, where would you take them?
I'd take them around Dallas road, James Bay, the breakwater... and along Beach drive depending on how long they want to run.
Road, trail, or track?
Road... but my heart may lead me to the trail one day.
Illoana Smith
Which clinic are you a part of this summer?
I help organize the Return to Run/Maintenance crew for the Summer Clinic.
What is your background in running (and previous clinics)?
I have been a recreational runner for about forty years. I love run clinics and have been a participant, leader, manager and clinic coordinator for clinics in North Vancouver, Collingwood (ON), and now Victoria. I was previously very involved in the TC10k Clinics where I managed 17 clinics but after retiring from that role I moved to Frontrunners Clinics.
How long have you lived in Victoria?
I moved to Victoria from Collingwood, ON about 12 years ago.
If you were to take someone from out of town on a run in the greater Victoria area, where would you take them?
Favourite run is portions of the Oak Bay Half route, especially along the water.
Road, trail, or track?
Road
Shelley Donovan
Which clinic are you a part of this summer?
Marathon training pace group 6:00min/km, aka party pace!
What is your background in running (and previous clinics)?
Trained for my first marathon with FR in summer 2016 and haven’t looked back since! I have only missed about 8 Saturday long runs in those 8 years and that was for the births of my two children.
How long have you lived in Victoria?
Since 2004.
If you were to take someone from out of town on a run in the greater Victoria area, where would you take them?
Beach Drive down to Dallas Road and the breakwater, or Jocelyn Hill
Road, trail, or track?
Good question! Anything but the track.
Akzhana Archibald
Which clinic are you a part of this summer?
I am a "communications coordinator" for all clinics
What is your background in running (and previous clinics)?
I started running in 2019 with the FR Half clinic and fell in love with the sport, and especially with such a welcoming community!
How long have you lived in Victoria?
11 years
If you were to take someone from out of town on a run in the greater Victoria area, where would you take them?
Dallas road and all the trails we have in our backyard.
Road, trail, or track?
Roads and trails!