Guelph runner to join exclusive group: running world's six major marathons

With each step, Michelle Spencer from Guelph repeats a familiar tune, over and over, until she hits the finish line.

This is what often helps get the marathon runner to the end, that and a few words of encouragement to herself as she longs for that fulfilling feeling of accomplishment when it's all over.

"Repeating that song in my head helps to keep me going. I don't even know the name of it. I know one verse and I just repeat it my head. Sometimes I need that. And then there are times where I just talk to myself and tell myself why I'm doing this," Spencer said.

"Other days, you are feeling good. The energy from the crowd and the other runners are enough to get you through."

The 45-year-old recently participated in the Sydney, Australia, Marathon on Sept. 15.

Spencer is just one marathon short of becoming a 'six star' finisher for having completed all six major world marathons.

"The whole experience was incredible. Sydney is just beautiful," Spencer said.

"This was through the Abbot World Marathon Major Age Group Championships, who put on a really great atmosphere for all of us."

The Sydney Marathon is a candidate to be the seventh major marathon one added to the organization's list of six that includes marathons in Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, London, New York and Chicago.

As the world’s largest community of marathon runners, Abbott World Marathon Majors enables runners between the ages of 40 and 80+ to qualify for the World Championships and to claim all their ‘stars.'

In Sydney, Spencer finished with a time of 2:52:05. This was not only her personal best, but she placed second out of 731 in her age group.

She was awarded a medal for her achievement at the closing ceremony and was thrilled to see her name up on the billboard, with the Canada flag symbol right beside it.

In April, Spencer will participate in the London, England, Marathon where she will receive a six star finisher certificate and the six star finisher medal for having completed all six major world marathons, an accomplishment she has worked hard to achieve.

"We all start somewhere, no matter what age. Sometimes there will be setbacks that may temporarily halt our goals, but it’s ok to start again and again, as many times as we need to," Spencer said.

Spencer began running in 2008.

"I started running on a treadmill with a friend just to get into shape and for something to do," Spencer said.

"Then we saw a pamphlet for a five km race. So, we did it, and then a couple more after that."

Soon after, Spencer worked her way up to a 10 km race and then her first marathon in Toronto in 2009.

"It went well, but I felt a bit sick. I struggled during that one. But I thought, I can do better than that! So, I signed up for another, six weeks later in Hamilton," Spencer said.

"And I did do better. I improved greatly."

It was then that Spencer began to think about the big one, the Boston Marathon.

"This is the major marathon that everyone wants to qualify for. I thought, 'Oh! My time is not that far off. I think I can do it.' And so that's when I really looked into actual training for a marathon. I ran my third marathon in Chicago in 2011," she said.

Spencer continued to train and did qualify for Boston.

"My second marathon was 3:44 and then in Boston, I ran 3:19. And that's when I thought, 'Ok, this training thing really works,'" she said.

Looking back on her running journey, Spencer recalls the special moments that got her there.

"After only running a few 5 ks, I went out for a run with my friend, Jen Umphrey," Spencer said.

"Jen was an amazing runner and the mother of my son's friend. I was so inspired by her running. We did seven kilometres that day and when we got back she said to her husband Gary, "we have another marathoner runner here." I responded with shock, not sure I could ever run a marathon," Spencer said.

The pair continued to run together over the years.  

"We ran a couple races together, never a full marathon but some 10k's and half marathons. Jen was always full of encouragement and knowledge," Spencer said.   

"We sadly lost Jen to cancer a few years ago. She was a huge part of how I got started on this journey."

Despite some ups and downs, Spencer said it has been a fun journey.

"I do enjoy it. There was a while where I thought I'm done, I can't handle this anymore, but I'm still doing it," she said.

"I think COVID-19 gave me a little bit of a break because there were no races happening. I think that that may have reignited the fire in me. And I started to make a comeback. I've been doing really well since then."

Growing up in Eden Mills, Spencer attended Guelph's John F. Ross high school. Today, she works shift work full-time at Toyota Canada but still manages to train every day in the sport she loves.   

"I'm very thankful to my parents and family who have all been so supportive," she said.

"When it's something you really enjoy doing and it's something that is important to you, you would be surprised. you just make time for it."

Although she does enjoy winter running, Spencer said it can be a challenge to get motivated in the morning.

"I have to tell myself, this is something that I get to do. There are lots of people that don't get to do it," Spencer said.

"I do love that feeling when its done, especially when I get myself out nice and early. I feel very accomplished when lots of people are just getting up to start their day. I feel more energetic through the day too. It's almost a mind opener in the morning."

Spencer says it's never too late to start running.

"A lot of people say, "I can't even run a kilometre". I do really hope my story inspires someone to start their own health journey, running or whatever it is that becomes their passion," Spencer said.

"Through my journey, I have met so many runners that started later in life and have so many amazing stories that continue to inspire me to keep going as well. Some started running in their 50s, now in their 70s, and have run over 100 marathons!"

In April, Spencer looks forward to joining other runners from around the world as she aims for the greatest gift, the six star medal.

"I have been working towards this for a while. After that, I'm not sure what my plan is. They keep talking about adding more to the six. Sydney might be the seventh, but I've already done that one. They are also talking about adding an eighth one in Cape Town, South Africa," Spencer said.

 "If they do, I will have to do it!"