Inspired Soles

115. Derrick Spafford | Rediscovering Running After a 31-Year Streak

• Carolyn Coffin and Kim Senechal • Episode 115

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From Yarker Ontario, Derrick Spafford is a 56-year-old competitive runner, coach, race director and owner of Spafford Health and Adventure, offering Dion snowshoes and a very popular series of snowshoe races. But perhaps his biggest claim to fame is a 31-year and 25-day run streak that began on Boxing Day in 1989 and came to an abrupt end almost 2 years ago when he was diagnosed with -- and hospitalized for -- a pulmonary embolism. 

Throughout the course of his 3-decade run streak, Derrick competed in hundreds of races with distances ranging from 800 meters to 100 miles. While Derrick has run his fair share of road races and track events, his love lies in the mountains and off-the-beaten-path trails. 

In this conversation we dug deep into Derrick's epic run streak, which at the time it ended was the 3rd longest in Canada, as well as what inspires him to get out the door and move his body these days. 

Connect with Derrick:

Resources we discussed in this episode:

  • Episode 111 with Ray Zahab
  • Run Streak Website: runeveryday.com
  • Favourite Mantra: Strong Brisk Fast and Light
  • Favourite Place to Run: Trails near Shabomeka Lake
  • Bucket List Race: Sister race to the Yukon Arctic Ultra in Lapland, Sweden;
  • Favourite Running Books: Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr.; Conquering the Impossible by Mike Horn
  • Favourite Post Run Indulgence: Craft Beer ("snowshoe oatmeal stout" from the Kick and Push Brewing Company)

Connect with Carolyn & Kim:

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