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Meet the Owner & Staff: Victoria
Michael Shewchuk
Michael is a seasoned veteran in the world of running shoes, having spent time managing at
stores in Eastern Ontario. The west coast had long been calling his name (Michael! Michael!)
and in 2004 he packed his bags and headed out to our fair city. This theatre arts / business law
student looks forward to sizing you up for your next pair of shoes. (click photo to see why Mike's not smiling in this one)
Favourite Shoe: the Reebok Road KFS but he is waiting for the new Gel 3000!
Favourite Race: Hatley Castle 8km
Julia Griffin
Julia has developed into a starting pitcher on the Peninsula Runners team. She brings knowledge,
understanding, patience and the best smile in town! The little shop in Gordon Head is so much better because of Julia.
Julia can assist you with shoes or clothing. She is an expert in both and now does all the clothing ordering for the
store. She has grown into one of the veterans! We are proud to have Julia and hope you get the chance to deal with her!
Favourite Shoe: Mizuno Wave Rider
Favourite Race: The second leg of the Oak Bay KOOL Half Marathon's Asics Ekiden Relay. She
runs for the "Womens Pen Run Team".
David Milne — owner / operator
Dave opened the Victoria location in May 2004. Once a competitive runner, and now a has-been, Dave came up short on making the
Olympics. His 8:32 in the 3000 metres still remains his best result, and has solidified him as one of the better steeplechasers to come from Canada.
Dave has now returned to playing hockey with buddies and growing up. Almost 30 now, he has opened a new store in downtown Victoria, called Freedom.
He loves doing shoe fits and helping you with your running. His attention to detail and unflagging confidence in his team are the key ingredients to
his continued success.
Favourite Shoe: I like a few shoes. The Vomero and Nimbus seem to be my current favourites.
Favourite Race When Not Racing: Ironman. Because you can get a full day's work in and still have time to kill before the leaders come in!
Favourite Race When Racing: Anything at Stanford. The track in Palo Alto seemed to be my place. I was hard to beat on that track for some reason.
It may have been that Anna Kournikova was watching?
Adam O'Meara
Adam moved to Victoria in January 2008 and spent the year focusing on his goal of making it to the Ironman World Championships.
He accomplished this and had a Personal Best time in Kona with a 9:28:26. Beginning in 2009 he will be competing in the Professional ranks.
He loves getting people into a shoe that helps them enjoy running and being active. He has a passion for healthy living, with sport and nutrition
being at the heart of it. Read Adam's blog
Favourite Shoe: Newtons — Gravity and Distantia
Favourite Race: Ironman World Championships, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Myke Labelle
Myke has now become a familiar face at Peninsula Runners. He is in his last year at UVic and has been training extensively for ultra
marathons the last few years. Myke will be running his first 100 mile endurance run this year also coaches our Marathon clinic.
Read Myke's blog
Favourite Shoe: Brooks Cascadia
Favourite Race: Scorched Sole 50k
Sarah Riddell
Sarah joined Peninsula Runners after moving to Victoria from Seattle, Washington. She is a fourth year
English student at UVic and hopes to continue with graduate school in Secondary Education. She specializes in the 5k
and hopes to continue her cross country career with the Vikes in upcoming years.
Favourite Shoe: Brooks Glycerin
Favourite Race: Carnation Run for the Pies 5k in Seattle on the 4th of July
Claire Wright
Claire was introduced to Peninsula Runners when she was living in White Rock for the summer. After returning to Victoria for university
she knew that the best way to be with this great group of people as much as possible was to join the family. She is studying hard to eventually enter
medical school and has a strong interest in human anatomy and physiology. As a recreational runner and enjoys the occasional 5 or 10km race and is
always aiming for the next PB!
Favourite Shoe: Nike Free 5.0
Most Anticipated Shoe: Brooks Green Silence
Kate Richards
Kate grew up in Victoria and has been active all her life. She started playing cricket as a young girl, then got hooked on rowing which took her to such places as Australia, and the World Junior Rowing Championships in Croatia. Now Kate flies helicopters in northern Canada during the summer months, and spends the winters trying to get back in shape with lots of running! She recently ran the RVM 8k and the Bear Mountain 10k, and is hoping to attend many local races in 2010.
- Michael Shewchuk
- Julia Griffin
- David Milne, owner
- Adam O'Meara
- Myke Labelle
- Sarah Riddell
- Claire Wright
- Kate Richards
More staff photos:
Click images to enlarge
Julia knows her stuff
The 4 amigos
Michael S
Party time!
Dave hard at work