Toronto Go Girls Hit the Runway

In mid-June, the glamourous Go Girls took to the runway to strut their stuff. While crowds of fans cheered and travelers stared, three members of the Go Girls ran down a runway. While running, they modeled the latest in running gear while the paparazzi snapped shots of the Glamour Girls, as Olga, Nana, and T came to be known.

That's right. We were on a runway and we were modeling something. I suppose I should qualify that the runway in question was not really a fashion runway. But it could have been. We're stylish, more or less, in a running sort of way.

Olga, Nana, and T participated in the 2010 Runway Run, a fun 5K run at Pearson International Airport. The race is actually run on a runway, although the airport does close down the runway so that planes do not land on top of the runners.

The runway next to the race runway, however, is open to air traffic. As we lined up at the starting line, we were treated to the sight of planes landing and taking off.

Coming in for a landing!

Touchdown!

Of course, the passengers in those airplanes were also treated to the sight of approximately 2500 people running around on the runway. I wonder what the passengers must have thought. If I was the captain of a plane taking off on that runway, I would say to those passengers: "Ladies and Gentlemen, on the right side of the plane you will see civilians running up and down the runway next to ours. These people are being punished for not listening to the captains of their airplanes. If you get out of your seat when the "Fasten Seatbelt" sign is on, I will personally make sure that you will join similar runners at our destination airport." And then I would laugh menacingly.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Toronto! On the runway next to us, you will see how the Toronto Airport handles your luggage. You will be released from the plane and asked to race toward a designated finish line. The first person across the finish line gets to choose whatever bags he or she wants!"

As much fun as watching the planes land and take off was, we did have a race to run. So we put on our game faces and prepared for the 5K ahead of us.

Step 1: Well, you know...

Step 2: Put on game faces for mandatory pre-race photo.

Step 3: Look at the plane parked on our runway! Cool!

Do you think they left the keys in it?

Step 4: RUN!

And run we did. We galloped up the runway, turned around and ran down to the other end of the runway before turning back again for the final 2K up the runway. Olga, Nana and T all posted respectable times. Olga and Nana both recorded times that were faster than they anticipated. T reports being disappointed by her time, but still relatively happy to have finished 10th in her age group (although it was not a particularly competitive field) and to have finished faster than last year.

The Glamour Girls, post race.

"Please don't check my "energy" drink!!"

Nana, T, a police officer, and a plane. This photo is pre-G20. If it were taken during the G20, we'd likely be cuffed.

To celebrate their success at the race, Olga, Nana, and T decided to head back into the city for some breakfast. (They considered going to some place near the airport but as it turns out, the area around the airport is a culinary blackhole. It was necessary to evacuate as soon as possible.)

Of course, in order to return to the city, the Glamour Girls had to find Olga's vehicle. This task proved more challenging than it should have. After some aimless wandering, the trio finally stumbled upon Olga's wheels and they were well on their way to a lovely brunch at the Rosedale Dinner.

Three cool cats in post-race glory.

The consensus following the Runway Run was that this race is awesome! We determined that we must do the Runway Run again.

After all, Glamour Girls belong on runways.