Who’s Running the Olympics?
Canadian Running Magazine Warms up the Track for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with an In-Depth Olympic Issue

Toronto (June 17, 2008) – From 100m in 9.72 seconds to 42.2K in 2 hours, 4 minutes and 26 seconds, in the world of running everyone’s watching the clock and thinking ‘how fast?’ But at the Olympic Games, the ultimate international competition, the race is about so much more than time. Canadian Running Magazine’s July/August issue takes a comprehensive look at the running world behind the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

From issues of Olympic contention to the athletes to watch to training tips from some of Canada’s top performers, Canadian Running Magazine gives readers the lowdown on running at this year’s Olympics. The upcoming Olympic Issue hits newsstands across Canada by July 1.

Below is an outline of the Olympic stories to catch in the July/August issue of Canadian Running Magazine:

High Standards
By Alex Hutchinson
Canadians Giitah Macharia and Tara Quinn-Smith were crowned Canadian Marathon Champions at the ING Ottawa Marathon in May, also qualifying by IOC standards for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, but the two champions will not compete in the most revered of international competitions this August. Find out why in the upcoming issue of Canadian Running Magazine. Senior editor Alex Hutchinson takes an objective look at Canada’s much-debated and often maligned Olympic qualifying standards and how they affect the running world. Speaking with current and former athletes, Hutchinson examines the hows, whys and repercussions of Canada’s high standards. “The real difference in opinion is what the definition of success is,” says Canadian 2:16 marathoner Matt McInnes commenting on the IOC versus COC Olympic standards.

Canada’s Olympic Hopefuls
When the Games of the XXIX Olympiad begin on August 8, a select group of Canadian runners will march into Beijing’s National Stadium in front of 90,000 spectators and billions of TV viewers, fulfilling what for many of them will be a lifelong dream. Canadian Running Magazine profiles some of Canada’s best hopes to make the athletics team. Contenders include Simon Bairu (men’s 10,000m), Reid Coolsaet (men’s 10,000m), Megan Metcalfe (women’s 5000m), Malindi Elmore (women’s 1500m), Hilary Stellingwerff (women’s 1500m), Carmen Douma-Hussar (women’s 1500m), Kevin Sullivan (men’s 1500m), Ryan McKenzie (men’s 1500m), Nathan Brannen (men’s 1500m), Alex Genest (men’s 3000m steeplechase), Gary Reed (men’s 800m), and Tyler Christopher (men’s 400m). Note that marathoners Lioudmila Kortchaguina and Dylan Wykes are also profiled in the article, but neither athlete successfully met the COC marathon standards by the May 25 deadline.

Paralympic Profile: Jason Dunkerly: Going for Gold in Beijing
By Kyle Desormeaux
Jason Dunkerly, one of the most decorated middle-distance runners in Canada, is heading to September’s Paralympic Games in China. An eye condition called Leber’s congenital amaurosis has left Dunkerly with no vision other than minimal light perception. Kyle Desmoreaux gives readers a little insight into Dunkerly’s world.

Fair Weather Fans
By Peter Hadzipetros
Picture the Don Cherry of running – starched singlet and plaid high-cut shorts, ranting about the Canadian way. It might be one way to cure our country’s fledgling running fan base according to Peter Hadzipetros. Canadians tune in to the running scene essentially only once every four years during the Olympics. This column gets Canadians thinking about the reasons our road races are lined with, well, nearly nobody.

Final Prep: The Call Rooms
By Leah Pells
Former Olympian Leah Pells gives readers a first-hand account of the typical check-in procedure athletes endure leading into a final race. From uniform scrutiny to logo management to health hazards, Pells provides readers a true behind-the-scenes look. Pells finished fourth in the 1500m at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Run Stronger with Olympic Training
By Kristin Kent
Step up your performance with training tips from some of Canada’s leading Olympians. Learn how plyometrics can increase speed, power and running economy, ice baths can speed up recovery time from delayed onset muscle soreness, and new stretching techniques can add spring to tired muscles.

Tips From Canada’s Best: What’s Your Favourite Post-Workout Snack?
By Hilary Stellingwerff
From PowerBar recovery drinks and fruit with yogurt and granola to doughnuts and even squeezed lemon with cayenne pepper, find out what foods motivate and rejuvenate some of Canada’s Olympic hopefuls.

Canadian Running Magazine is available on special displays at Running Room stores across the country, in most Shoppers Drug Marts and at all major Canadian airports. Canadian Running Magazine is also sold at independent retailers across Canada (please visit www.runningmagazine.ca for a complete list).

For subscriptions, please go to www.runningmagazine.ca or call 416-927-0774.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
New Canadian Running Magazine Launches in February
– Editorial Team Goes the Distance for Runners North of the Border –

Toronto (February 5, 2008) – Canada has an estimated one million runners, more than 500 running races, and expected sales of two million pairs of running shoes in 2008. And now, finally, Canada has its own magazine dedicated to running. Gripped Inc. launches Canadian Running Magazine, the only running magazine published in Canada and with all-Canadian content, in February.

NOTE: The launch issue cover is attached as a jpg. A FACT SHEET, BACKGROUNDER and BIOS are also attached.

“This is the first running magazine that is truly dedicated to all levels of runners in the Great White North, from St. John’s to Ottawa to Victoria,” says editor-in-chief Michal Kapral. “At last, Canadians can read about the best running routes, the excellent races, the most influential and up-and-coming runners, inspirational stories, winter running tips, and running news – in Canada! Oh, and running programs in kilometres, not miles!”

Coverage will also include articles on the latest running issues, fitness tips for all seasons, diet and nutrition information, in-depth features, and expert reviews of the latest footwear, fashion and accessories for runners.

“Our editorial team is led by accomplished runners who are tapped into the running community,” says Gripped Inc. publisher Sam Cohen. “We found the right people and ran with them. And hey, the first issue speaks for itself.”

Editor-in-chief Michal Kapral won the Toronto Marathon in 2002 with a personal best time of 2:30:40, holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon while juggling (2:50:09), and is a sponsored athlete. Senior editor Kevin Mackinnon is an accomplished runner, triathlete and coach, and the editor of Triathlon Magazine Canada. Senior editor Alex Hutchinson represented Canada at the World Championships. Publisher Sam Cohen is a life-long runner who will focus on 5K and 10K races in 2008. Publisher and editorial director Dave Chaundy-Smart is a passionate runner who completed his first and second marathons two weeks apart last fall.

Canadian Running Magazine is Gripped Inc.’s third magazine. The company first launched Gripped: The Climbing Magazine in 1999, followed by Triathlon Magazine Canada in March 2006.

“Running is one of the simplest and most accessible fitness activities in Canada, so it’s a mass-appeal sport,” says Cohen. “Triathlon Magazine Canada was so successful that we decided to use the same formula to enter a larger, more mainstream market.” Cohen says the Canadian running magazine market has significant room for growth. The U.S. publication Runner’s World sells about 25,000 subscriptions in Canada and 10,000 copies on newsstands – with total U.S. sales of 600,000. Based on population – Canada has one-tenth the population of the U.S. – Canadian Running Magazine has the potential to reach 60,000 Canadians subscriptions.

The launch issue tells the story of Danny Kassap, a political refugee from Congo with dreams of Canadian citizenship and the Beijing Olympics. The magazine also talks to Olympic hopeful Hilary Stellingwerff, profiles B.C.’s Bastion Running Club, explores the surge in popularity of running forums with a look at www.runningmania.com, talks to running celebrity Ron MacLean of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, takes readers on a running tour of Quebec City and explores trail runs in the Maritimes and the Rockies. Other features include training and nutrition tips, inspiration for winter running, and both shoe and gear reviews.

Canadian Running Magazine will start to appear on newsstands in Ontario on February 21, Quebec on February 25, and the rest of the country on February 26. The magazine will be sold on special displays at Running Room stores across the country, in most Shoppers Drug Marts and at all major Canadian airports. Canadian Running Magazine will also be sold at independent retailers across Canada (please see the attached fact sheet for a list of several retailers in each province).

Canadian Running Magazine’s website will launch on February 15. For subscriptions, please go to www.runningmagazine.ca or call 416-927-0774.

Contact:
Michal Kapral, Editor-in-Chief, 416-861-8319 ext. 232, michal@runningmagazine.ca
Dianne Kapral, Media Relations, 416-690-4555, dianne@runningmagazine.ca
Dave Chaundy-Smart, Editorial Director, 416-927-0774, dave@gripped.com
Sam Cohen, Publisher, 416-927-0774, sam@gripped.com (available starting Monday, February 11)

BACKGROUNDER
Gripped Inc.’s Steady Climb to Reach the Mass Market

Sam Cohen and Dave Chaundy-Smart know that reaching the exhilarating heights of a mountain like Everest requires the right approach, expert technique, the appropriate equipment and carefully planned moves, step by step. And the partners of Gripped Inc. take the same approach in business.
                                                                                                                                       
The launch of Canadian Running Magazine was the next step for Sam and Dave as they lead the company into larger more lucrative markets in the world of publishing. The two entrepreneurs founded Gripped Inc. in October 1999 while still holding down jobs at Toronto’s Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). The job at MEC afforded them plenty of time to follow their passion of rock climbing. Both had just finished graduate school at the University of Toronto; Dave a PhD in art and architecture and Sam an MA in history.

The fledgling publishers cobbled together a few thousand dollars from personal savings and borrowed more from family members, launching the first issue of Gripped: The Climbing Magazine that October for only $10,000. Then in 2001, long-time Canadian rock climber and IT venture capital investor Tom Valis came on board as Gripped Inc.‘s third partner. Dave was finally able to make Gripped Inc. a full-time job, with Sam following suit a few years later.  By 2004, Gripped Inc. paid three full-time salaries.

The early years at Gripped Inc. were a struggle at times as neither Sam nor Dave had any prior publishing or business experience, but the years establishing Gripped: The Climbing Magazine prepared them for the creation of their second title, Triathlon Magazine Canada.

In 2005, the company was itching to enter another under-serviced yet promising market in the fiercely competitive world of magazine publishing. Sam’s wife was a competitive triathlete and Gripped Inc. saw an opportunity. Triathlons offered a great demographic and the sport was a gear-intensive activity, providing a promising list of potential advertisers. In late 2005, the publishers met Kevin Mackinnon, a well-known and accomplished figure in the world of triathlons. He signed on as editor and the first issue of Triathlon Magazine Canada hit newsstands in March 2006.

The response from the triathlon community was overwhelming and exceeded anyone’s expectations. Sam, Dave and Tom learned that if they could create high-quality content with good production values, then Canadian readers would much rather choose a Canadian publication with relevant content than U.S. titles that are only marginally relevant.

Gripped Inc.’s Bloor Street West digs may be bare bones, but the office has seen plenty of action over the past decade. The Gripped Inc. team is proud to now bring Canadians their most recent endeavour, Canadian Running Magazine, with goals of reaching the heights of its potential.

FACT SHEET
Fun Facts about Running in Canada:

• There are more than one million runners in Canada.
• Point-of-purchase sales figures suggest that about $300 million in running shoes were sold in Canada in 2005.
• A record 54,317 runners signed up for The 2007 Vancouver Sun Run, Canada’a largest 10K road race.
• More than 12,500 runners registered for the 2007 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Half & 5K.
• 35 per cent of road races in Canada take place during the winter months.
• Resolution Runs on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are among the most popular organized runs in Canada.
• There are more than 500 running races in Canada (even small ones have 300 to 800 participants).
• Most road races are affiliated with a charitable cause.
• The fastest marathon ever run in Canada was in 2007 by Kenyan John Kelai in 2:09:30 at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
• The world record for the fastest marathon is 2:04:26 and is held by Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie
• The Canadian marathon record was set in 1975 by Jerome Drayton with a time of 2:10:09 in Fukuoka, Japan.
• Hamilton’s Around The Bay 30K Road Race is the oldest road race in North America, first run in 1894.
• Canadians will buy more than two million pairs of running shoes in 2008.

CANADIAN RUNNING MAGAZINE FACTS:

Canadian Running Magazine will be sold at the following independent retailers across Canada:

• B.C.:
  Frontrunners (Nanaimo, Victoria, Langford)
  North Shore Athletics (North Vancouver, Squamish)
  The Run Inn (Vancouver, Delta, Surrey)

• Alberta:     
  Gord’s Running Store (Calgary)
  Runner’s Soul (Lethbridge)
  Element Multisport (Edmonton)

• Saskatchewan:                              
  Brainsport (Saskatoon)
  
  
• Manitoba:             
  A and L get active (Brandon)
  City Park Runners (Winnipeg)
  Stride Ahead Sports (Winnipeg)

• Ontario:                 
  Runner’s Den (Hamilton)
  New Balance Stores (Toronto, Oakville, Barrie)
  Running Works (Guelph)
  Running Free (Markham)

• Quebec:                
  Boutique Endurance (Montreal)
  
  
• New Brunswick:     
  Alex Coffin’s Fitness Shop (Saint John, Rothesay)
  
  
• Nova Scotia:         
  Aerobics First (Halifax)
  Runner’s Attic (Yarmouth)

• Newfoundland:      
  no independent, but available at The Running Room (St. John’s)
  
  
• Prince Edward Island:
  no locations at this time

Advertisers for the launch issue include:

BIOGRAPHIES

Sam Cohen, Publisher of Gripped Inc.
Sam Cohen, 38, is the publisher of Gripped Inc. He has a master’s degree in history and a bachelor of education, both from the University of Toronto. A passionate rock climber and life-long runner, Sam plans to run 5K and 10K races in 2008. This will be his first race season since 1978 when he beat his dad to the finish line of a 10K. Sam has been climbing throughout North America and Europe for 15 years and most notably, he’s climbed big walls in Yosemite National Park and remote big wall routes in northern Quebec that involved living in the vertical world for four or five days. Sam is the father of an eighteen-month-old girl and lives in Toronto in the Annex.

Dave Chaundy-Smart, Editorial Director of Gripped Inc.
Dave Chaundy-Smart, 45, is the editorial director at Gripped Inc.  He has a PhD in art history from the University of Toronto. Dave has been running off and on for many years and in the autumn of 2007 he ran his first and second marathons only two weeks apart. He plans to run several more marathons in 2008. An avid rock climber, Dave has been climbing for 30 years, tackling climbs in such notable places as the Alps, Yosemite National Park and Northern Ireland. Dave is the father of four girls and lives in North Toronto.

Michal Kapral, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Running Magazine
Michal Kapral, 35, is the editor-in-chief of Canadian Running Magazine. He has an honours bachelor of journalism degree from the University of King’s College in Halifax and is a Can-Fit-Pro certified personal trainer. Michal has been running since grade school, but took the sport to a competitive level in 1998. A sponsored athlete, he won the Toronto Marathon in 2002, set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon while pushing a baby in a stroller in 2004 and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon while juggling three objects. Michal is the father of two girls and lives in the East York/Upper Beaches area of Toronto.