Owner
Lynn Bourque
Having personally experienced the life-changing power of running, Lynn loves to share her enthusiasm for all things running! Coming from a background in hospitality (where it just so happens she worked with store manager Greg for many years), Lynn believes that excellent customer service transforms an everyday interaction into a memorable experience.
What are you reading right now? Running with Purpose by Jim Weber, the CEO of Brooks Running. His story of how he took Brooks from near bankruptcy to yearly sales of over 1 billion dollars is filled with all kinds of outstanding leadership and business advice.
Who would you invite to your talk show? Barack and Michelle Obama. Why? They have inspired me in countless ways. Michelle's catchphrase, "When they go low, we go high," applies to many situations in our daily lives, personally and professionally.
What is not a big deal to most people but is torture to you? Customer service reps who say, "No problem". It drives me up the wall. I’ll settle for an old-fashioned “You’re welcome” anytime.
Where do you like to run? My favourite route is to head north through the Cedarvale ravine to the beltline, circle through Mount Pleasant cemetery, and then head south through the Moore Park ravine.
Store Manager
Greg Lindsay
Greg is a long-time runner and cyclist who loves early morning runs on the Don Valley Trails and cycling road trips to cottage country. Having worked in the hospitality industry for many years, his customer service skills are second to none! So, he's your man if you need a good food or wine recommendation or a pair of new shoes.
Who would you invite to your talk show? Paul McCartney. Why? Because he was one of the Beatles!! They changed music in so many ways.
If your pets could talk, what would they say about you? You're the best!
What is your guilty pleasure? Butter Tarts
What's the most inspiring part of your job? I love being the guy who keeps everyone in their lane, including the boss. A run specialty store always has a lot of different pokers in the fire, from customer service to run clubs, events, product launches, and so much more. As the store manager, I ensure all the puzzle pieces fit together.
Footwear Buyer
Ben Nelson
Ben is The Runners Shop shoe guru. He's the guy who makes sure your favourite shoe is on the wall, and he can give you a marathon answer to any sprint question you may have about shoes (and lots of other stuff too). He has run every distance from 400 metres to 100 miles.
How did you become such an expert on shoes?
I’ve always liked shoes. I remember, as a kid, watching shoe salespeople lace up brand new kicks and thinking that was something I would enjoy doing. When I rediscovered running in my early twenties, it was a logical gateway to helping others with their footwear choices. I earned my expert stripes absorbing all the info I could, while working the sales floor.
What are some of your favourite races?
Haliburton Forest Trail 50 Mile, Pick your Poison 50K, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Chilly Half Marathon.
What would you tell your younger less experienced running self?
Not every run is a race! Not every run is great, but no run is ever bad.
Footwear Manager
Michael Denomme
Michael has been with the Runners Shop for a few years, first as a run club member, then as a part-timer/student and now as our in-house shoe Guru. He has raced distances from 800m to the Marathon, with the Chicago Marathon his (current) favourite race course. Michael is passionate about creating community through sport and loves to help beginner runners find their new favourite shoes. He’s a bit of a shoe geek, so he’s always keen to suggest how all runners can have more fun with their footwear. When not at TRS, Michael is busy in his parallel career as a freelance musician, choral conductor, and music educator.
Who would you invite to your talk show? “Laz ", founder of the Backyard Ultra and Barkley Marathons, I have to know what on earth that guy was thinking.
How many shoes should a runner have in their closet? I have 38 pairs of running shoes in my active rotation in my active rotation, so maybe I’m the wrong person to ask. But I personally believe that every runner could utilize 3 to 5 shoes in their weekly rotation: a max cushion shoe, a daily trainer, a lightweight shoe, a speed shoe, and definitely a race shoe.
What food do you refuse to eat? Brussel sprouts are a no-go—sorry, mom.
What’s your guilty pleasure? My guilty pleasure is my favourite Netflix TV show, XO Kitty. It is a high school American/Korean drama based on the books “To the Boys I’ve Loved Before.”
Marketing Manager
Olivia Hoskin
Olivia is our marketing and website manager. In other words, the glue that holds us together and connected to our running community.
How did you find your calling in marketing? I majored in Marketing at McGill University and have been using tools like social media and SEO for as long as they have existed; I’ve been working in the field for almost as long.
Name 5 things every runner should have
1. Shoes!
2. A second pair of shoes!
3. Good socks.
4. A lacrosse ball.
5. A post-run coffee and/or beer.
Claire Shenstone-Harris
SENIOR SALES ASSOCIATE
Claire joined The Runners Shop after the pandemic infused her with a strong passion for running. She is an avid long-distance runner, from 5K to ultra relay, who finds particular pleasure and pain in running marathons. Claire has completed the Boston Marathon twice (PB’ing both times!) Like everyone at The Runners Shop, she has a closet full of shoes and a head full of knowledge and would love to help you find your next pair of awesome running shoes. Claire is an award-winning actor and sailing instructor outside of The Runners Shop. She also co-invented and launched the ‘Monster Voices’ party board game, which she now sells online.
Who would you invite to your talk show?Oliver Sacks. Why? Because he has fascinating stories about how the human brain works. I find his curiosity and empathy infectious.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate covered pretzels
What would it be if you had to teach a class on one thing? A cooking class with insects and their insane environmental and health benefits as an alternative protein source.
Max
SALES ASSOCIATE
Max is a fourth-year Statistics and Computer Science student at The University of Toronto. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Max runs Cross Country and Track for UofT. Outside of school and running, he enjoys cooking. On any given day, you can find Max struggling to finish his linear algebra homework on time or splitting time running on the Toronto Beltline and Prospect Park. Max loves The Runner’s Shop more than he loves his own family.
Letti
SALES ASSOCIATE
Letti is a dynamic, passionate runner, climber, and coffee lover. She is taking a gap year in Canada to immerse herself in the English language and form connections with the international running community. She was born and raised in a small town in northern Germany, Minden. Letti’s favourite shoes are the Rebel v4 and the Cloudmonster Hyper, and she's an expert in helping you find your next favourite shoe, too! Ask her about her coffee shop recommendations :)
Millie
SALES ASSOCIATE
Millie is a third-year Theatre Design Student at York University. When she is not in the design studio, you can find her on the trails or track as the sprint/hurdle coach for the Bisons Track Club. Millie has been through many phases with her running, from sprint hurdles to the heptathlon to the half-marathon- she hopes to help you find the best gear for where you are at in your journey! If you need shoe (or theatre) recommendations, come say hi!
Shan
SALES ASSOCIATE
Shan is a third-year Kinesiology student at The University of Toronto. He currently runs the 800m and 1500m for UofT's Track and Field team. When Shan’s not running, you can probably find him at the golf course or eating food. His favourite shoes are the Asics Novablast 5 and the On Cloudmonster 2!