Krista DuChene Highlights 2019 She's Got Game Gala

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 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.

The former varsity Gryphon hockey player, who was an OUA All-star 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 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 Marathon Mom closed the night 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.”