09/07/2026
I thought I’d take a pause from the run hype and sponsor posts to share the more personal side of this race.
We knew that with time, less and less participants of the race would know who Amy was. And that’s ok. Time moves on.
But let me reacquaint you with Amy Alain and the extraordinary human she was.
Amy and I met on a snowy morning on the trails in Whitemud Ravine and became instant old soul friends.
Her energy and positivity were so inviting. She was the kind of person that made you want to run faster to get more out of life, but she also knew to stop to let the chickadees feed off your outstretched hand.
We did what all runners do, and signed up for races together and dreamed up big goals on long training runs through the river valley.
A concerning cough escalated with a terrifying speed to a diagnosis of lung cancer and it didn’t look good.
She tackled her chemo treatments with the same fervour she did her training. She would run from her home, up Whitemud Ravine, to the Cross Cancer Institute for appointments. Relentlessly positive the whole time.
While sitting through her chemo, she was deeply impacted by the stories of people around her who had to travel so far, leaving their families, so they could access treatment. She was grateful she could go home to her kids and husband each night and wanted the same for others.
And the idea for Amy’s House was born. 🏡💕
Her final weeks were a blur. Her loss was devastating.
In the wake of grief, her husband, Phil, opened the doors of Amy’s House to make her dream a reality.
And I did the thing I do best. Bring people together, and run.
And Run On Edmonton was born. 🏃🌲
She visits the race every year in her own way. The big smiles of everyone on the trails, the chickadees on the railings, the sun, the big dreams.
And while we’d give anything to have her back, what an honour it is to Run On.
Miss you Amy. 💕
xo Janelle
