About the Organizers
Michael Brennan, Race Director of Downsview Half Marathon
Michael Brennan brings experience and best-practices from working at over 70 races in various roles as race director,
course director, consultant, event manager, logistics manager and more. He is a race consultant who has helped organize
and grow some of the GTA’s largest and best-managed running races. He is professional, detailed and enthusiastic. He has worked as an employee or on contract to:
Canada Running Series, 7 years
- Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half (22,000 participants)
- Sporting Life 10k (15,000)
- Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8k & 5k (4,500)
- Montreal Half Marathon & 5k (2,300)
- Acura Toronto 10-Miler (2,200)
- Oasis ZooRun 10k & 5k (4,500)
Toronto Women’s Running Series, 3 years
- Toronto Women’s Half Marathon & 5k (2,000)
- Toronto Women’s 10k & 5k (1,000)
- Toronto Women’s 8k & 5k (1,000)
- 5 Peaks Trail Running Series, 2 years
- 5 races per year with 400 per event
Independent Races
- 2 years with Mercedes Benz Oakville 10k (2,100)
- 2 years with Rebecca Run 5k, Newmarket (700)
- 1 year with Cadillac Fairview 10k & 5k (800)
- 1 year with Energizer 10k & 5k (1,500)
- 1 year with Easter Seals 10k, Newmarket (900)
- 1 year with Dawn at the Don 8k & 5k (400)
- 1 year with Mississauga Marathon & Half (9,000)
He has assisted as a volunteer at dozens of races including the Chilly Half (Burlington), Terry Fox Run, Bay Street Rat Race,
YMCA Corporate Relay, Barrie Triathlon, XSNRG Running Club’s Mad Dog Scramble 8k, Waterloo Classic 10k, Chicago Marathon and
Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k.
Michael has conducted hundreds of seminars on balance, stress, motivation and running over the past 10 years. As a former running
coach, running clinic instructor and wellness educator he helped thousands of people accomplish things they never thought possible.
Setting example with his personal motto, “To inspire people to bring out the best in themselves in body, mind and spirit”, he has run
58 marathons, 39 of them under 3-hours, plus the Boston Marathon 13 times, and has done two Ironman triathlons.
Previous organizing roles: Promotions Manager of Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club; Show Manager of Toronto Sportsmen’s Show and Toronto
International Boat Show.
He’s planning for this event to be a permanent fixture on the Toronto running scene.
Cory Freedman, Cory Freedman, Founder of the Toronto Women’s Run series and MAX VO2 Event Management Inc.
With two decades of experience in event management, Cory has contributed a unique blend of strategic and execution skills leading to the success of some of the country’s most well-known and dynamic events. She has played a pivotal role in such notable events as: Team Diabetes Canada, the YMCA’s Corporate Team Challenge, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, the Goodlife Toronto Marathon, and Canada’s premier breast cancer participation event, CIBC Run for the Cure, amongst others.
In addition to creating and managing the Toronto Women’s Run series, the company (www.maxvo2inc.com) specializes in the management and execution of numerous running events including: the Energizer Night Race, ESSO Rebecca Run for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and the Cadillac Fairview Run for POGO.
Cory has a penchant for wearing shorts and t-shirts as much as possible - and year-round! That leads her to incorporate her work and personal experiences into her lifestyle. She is a three-time Ironman Triathlon finisher, including the World Triathlon Championships in Hawaii, and has also completed more than a dozen marathons, multiple duathlons, road races and mountain bike events at home and abroad. Cory is excited about being part of the team for the inaugural Downsview Half Marathon.
