Mark Kusznier is involved in almost every running group in town. He currently facilitates the runs for the Northern Trail Runners, but he also participates in several other groups.
“Thunder Bay Metre Eaters, Northern Trail Runners, ten-miler training, the Up-River Running Group, pretty much all of them,” says Mark.
He started running twelve years ago to stay healthy and fit. “It was faster to run around Boulevard than walk around it.”
The Northern Trail Runners meet twice a week, on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday mornings.
“The trail running group was started six years ago by Jamis Hall. She started it as a way to get onto some trails after having her first child. The group started to get bigger and bigger, and then during the pandemic it really took off,” explains Mark.
“During the pandemic we ran in smaller groups, like five or so at a time. Our group itself changes and evolves as time goes on. We see people come and go, sometimes people disappear and then come back. I have been there since pretty much the beginning,” says Mark.
The running group is not daunted by the often unforgiving northern climate, running in rain, snow, and 30-below. Mosquito season can also be troublesome for the runners, but they persevere through even the worst of it.
“Some people wear spikes when it’s icy, but the trails are usually pretty good when the snow is packed down,” Mark tells me.
They adjust their routes according to whatever the weather or the time of year calls for.
The Northern Trail Runners is all-inclusive and encouraging of anyone who wants to try it out. There is no membership fee to join.
“We do our warm-ups together, and then we don’t ever let anyone get left behind. We run, and once we get to trailheads we will stop and wait for everyone to catch up. Everyone always knows which route we are taking so they can be aware of where the rest of the group is.”
The group usually does about 5-8km on average per run. If people don’t want to go as far, there are usually areas where Mark can direct them back to the parking lot.
“It’s a very social activity when you do trail running,” adds Mark. “The two or three running groups are all kind of mingled, and everyone’s there to help.”
When Jamis got busy with other areas of her life, Mark took over leading the trail runners. He chooses where the group will meet up every week.
Sometimes they do “special adventures” which has included a Thanksgiving run to the Top of the Giant, runs between Nipigon and Red Rock and back, and other arduous, impressive routes.
“I always work to keep people engaged so that they don’t forget that we’re around,” says Mark.
The odd time, on a drizzly or cold day, Mark has done a solo-run with his dog. But usually, he says, one or two other people are always there to keep him company.
“When we have big numbers, we can have separate groups for those who want to do slower runs and those who want to be faster. We meet up at the end to do our stretches together.”
If you want to get involved with the Northern Trail Runners, you can check out their Facebook page “Northern Trail Runners.” Their weekly meetup spots and times are also posted there.
