General 3/8/2019 7:27:00 AM

Krista DuChene Highlights 2019 She’s Got Game Gala, money raised for female scholarship

GUELPH, Ont. – Through running, Krista DuChene has seen the world. And the woman known simply as the "Marathon Mom" has produced an incredible list of accomplishments, including representing Canada at the

22795 — Special Guest Speaker, Krista DuChene

2016 Rio Olympics, recording the second-fastest time ever by a Canadian marathoner, and perhaps most impressive, finishing third at the 2018 Boston Marathon – at the age of 41.

DuChene told her story of trials and triumph as the keynote speaker at the University of Guelph's annual She's Got Game Gala in February. The fourth edition of the fundraiser was a resounding success, raising a total of $38,000 for women's athletics at the University of Guelph and DuChene captivated the assembled crowd with her speech on how exactly she got from running laps as a child on her farm near Alvinston, ON to standing on that Creelman Hall stage.

The former varsity Gryphon hockey player, who was an OUA All-star in the 1999/2000 season as well as final four MVP and scoring leader when Guelph won the 1998 conference banner, certainly talked about the countless hours of work she has put in over the years. But her message was mostly one of support. DuChene was dubbed the Marathon Mom after winning the 2009 Mississauga Marathon on Mother's Day, her first big event after the birth her 22797

second child. But the accolades she has compiled are in large part because of the many women, and a few key men like husband Jonathan, who helped her on the long and often painful journey. That support came in a variety of ways, be it from her loving mother, who passed away from cancer, or her sister, who always stayed in touch providing inspiring words.

DuChene also recounted a single message she received back in 2017 on social media from a stranger, while she was in an airport ready to fly across the world to train in altitude for the first time.

"Leaving my family for a month was one of the hardest things I had ever done," DuChene told the gala crowd. "At the most perfect time, I received the most perfect message from someone I had never even met. She said, 'Always remember that your children are watching what it looks like to work hard, chase your dreams, and to sacrifice. You are teaching them all of this by going. What amazing lessons.'

"I was so grateful that this stranger had sent me this message."

The dietitian and mother of sons Micah and Seth, and daughter Leah, whom DuChene said had a running stride like the 2018 She's Got Game speaker Melissa Bishop, has been an incredible example for many across Canada and throughout the world. She has overcome serious injuries to her feet and legs, including suffering a broken femur in the middle of a race, which she ultimately finished. And for some of the Gryphon athletes in attendance, her words resonated. Gryphon sprinter Shyvonne Roxborough recently won her third consecutive OUA gold medal in the 60m event. The third-year Ottawa, ON native said she loved DuChene's story and was also thankful to share her own at the She's Got Game Gala.

22798 — T&F Student-Athlete, Shyvonne Roxborough

"I felt empowered hearing how she could accomplish what she could with the hurdles she's had to overcome, while still raising kids" said Roxborough. "Having that connection of both of us being runners, I am truly inspired by her.

"The entire night for me was an experience I'll never forget,' Roxborough added. "The room was full of good energy, laughs and people who were there to support women in sport. I was so happy to share my story. It really came from the heart and I wanted people to know that it's not all 'ups' in sport, and that it takes a special kind of grit to face adversity.

"At the end of the day, it's the love of the sport that keeps me going."

That is a recurring them for many women athletes, who often translate those skills learned in competition into their professional and personal lives. And with the official launch of She's Got Game last October, the goal at the University is to continue to support women's athletics both financially and through gender equity, both at the varsity at the grass-roots level.

"I am constantly amazed by our women's athletics program here at the University of Guelph," said Gryphon Athletics Director Scott McRoberts. "We have a rich history of strong women who have made a difference on and off the field of play, establishing the foundation for where we are now. Through She's Got Game, we want to continue to build on that legacy and foster opportunities for high-level participation in sport for athletes, coaches, and support staff.

22799 — Director of Athletics, Scott McRoberts

"Having Krista at our gala was something all of us will remember. She is a true warrior and an example for all athletes to follow."

One of the most incredible parts of DuChene's speech was the memory of breaking her leg in the middle of a half-marathon in Montreal back in 2014. It came as a result of an undiagnosed stress fracture and as she entered the final quarter of the race, DuChene knew something was wrong. She told the crowd that as a distance runner, you finish, and that haven given birth three times, she knew what real pain was.

"A lot of people say to me, 'What do you tell yourself so you don't quit?'" DuChene said. "I don't know, my mind just doesn't even think to quit."

The Marathon Mom closed with more moving words, calling on others to carry the torch in the future.

"I truly hope that with the support of She's Got Game, your promotion of gender equity, financial support for future academic and athletic success, and the encouragement of women to excel in sports, that many will be able to return to this stage at this fantastic school to make sure and tell their stories of women who have been instrumental in their lives 20 years later," DuChene said.

"I've often said that just because it hasn't been done, it doesn't mean it can't be done. Follow your passion, enjoy the process, and create your own story."

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