I’ve taken my bows and my curtain calls

John Stanton in the first Running Room store

Governor General Michaëlle Jean recently announced the names of 57 new appointments to the Order of Canada.  Among them is John Stanton, founder of the Running Room.   Once an overweight couch potato with a nicotine addiction this honour recognizes his role in promoting physical fitness and active lifestyles.  The 100+ chain of running stores all started in 1984 with a  single room (the running room, get it?) in Edmonton.  His running spark ignited after 1981 3K  race with his kids felt more like a marathon than a kiddie fun run.  With 300 days a year on the road running races, fun runs, and giving motivation talks John is the face of his company and a tireless motivational speaker.  No matter how many people he meets he seems to remember every one.  Hell, two years later he even remembered the weather during our first run together.  I can’t even remember what I ate for lunch Sunday.  Oh right.  Cake.   

In his words (as told to The Edmonton Journal, not me), “I’m certainly honoured, but at the same time humbled.  It’s an honour to be recognized.  I’m a proud Canadian, and this is one of the higher awards you can get as a Canadian.  But at the same time, I’m very proud we’ve been able to motivate a lot of people into becoming athletic.”  Although his methods are not without dissenters (to walk or not to walk, that is the controversy), I’m pleased to see his role as a running advocate and supporter recognized.  And not just because he sends me a paycheck a couple of times a year. 

Title Reference: Queen – We are the champions.  From the album News of the World.  1977.