J_stanton

John Stanton

Founder of the Running Room  

John Stanton created his first meeting place for runners over 25 years ago out of the back of a hairdressing shop in Edmonton.  Now, the Running Room lifestyle stores have become a movement that has taught nearly a million Canadians to get fit and stay healthy through running and walking across the country.  A best-selling Canadian author of eight books on running and walking, John Stanton released his newest book in April 2010, the much anticipated Running: The Complete Guide to Building Your Running Program


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A three-kilometre fun run with his sons in 1981 was the catalyst for the then out-of-shape, overweight John Stanton to realize he had to change his lifestyle. A food industry executive who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, he began running secretly before dawn because he felt self-conscious about having his neighbors see "this chubby little guy" who could only run from lamp post to lamp post before having to take a walk break.

John went on to run over 60 marathons, hundreds of road races, and numerous triathlons, including the Hawaiian World Championship Ironman competition. His pre-dawn runs would ultimately become John Stanton's 10:1 run/walk combination that has helped close to a million people do everything from learn to run to complete marathons, upright and smiling.

The first store, a meeting place for runners, opened in 1984 in an 8x10 foot room of an old house shared with a hairdressing shop in Edmonton. More than 25 years later, the Running Room is one of North America's most recognized names in running and walking. His sons John Jr. and Jason are now partners with John in the family-owned company which has more than 100 stores and 1,300 employees in Canada and the USA.

A best-selling Canadian author of eight books on running and walking, John Stanton released his newest book in April 2010, the much anticipated Running: The Complete Guide to Building Your Running Program. Maclean's magazine's Canada Day Honour Roll named the Running Room founder one of 10 Canadians making a difference in our nation for his contribution to health through fitness. John Stanton is a member of the Alberta Business Hall of Fame. He is a recipient of the Dr. Harold N. Segall Award of Merit, recognizing his significant contribution to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the promotion of cardiovascular health in Canadians. In 2010, The Canadian Medical Association awarded him the Award for Excellence in Health Promotion. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Hon. Lt. Col. of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4 PPCLI) and most recently inducted into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame.

John is regularly featured on CBC, CTV, Global Television, the National Post, The Globe and Mail, and numerous radio and television programs across Canada and the United States.

  • RUNNING and ACTIVE FOR LIFE: You don't start at the finish line.

    The best advice to get started, and stay motivated, fit and health for life. Who is seeking a lifestyle change? When are you motivated? Why stay active? (The wants and needs of why we run) A reflection on starting points, working from a benchmark such as medical, physical, mental and social these will give motivation and a reminder to continue when things get difficult. Leading to a lifestyle of making changes for the better

    - The Starting Line (Find a running group that fits your needs)

    - Checking in, not checking out, on yourself

    - Nutrition  

    - Training When Life Changes (Know when to take it slow and make a change) -

    Training When You're Busy (Make it fit your life)

    - Running Changes Your Life. (Plan for curves in the road)

    - Keep it going - how to stay motivated for life

    - Mentorship - The Active Family be a positive mentor

  • running
    April 2010

    Running: A Complete Guide to Building Your Running Program

    Running, the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, is truly a life-changing experience. It starts with those basic steps and soon becomes the adventure of a lifetime. Now, in the Running Room's Book on Running, veteran runner/author John Stanton offers expert advice to help you get the most from your running.


  • walking
    September 2009

    Walking: A Complete Guide to Walking for Fitness, Health and Weight Loss

    John Stanton knows how to get people moving. As the founder and president of Walking/Running Room, North America's largest chain of special stores for walkers and runners, he has inspired people across the nation to develop healthier lifestyles one step at a time. Walking: A Complete Guide to Walking for Fitness, Health, and Weight Loss is the perfect companion for your own journey to good health. With three program categories to fit every type of activity level, from non-walkers to avid walkers, there is a program in here for you.



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