Staff | Stride Ahead Sports

2012 Manitoba Marathon Relay Team Winners

Corey (1st leg and 1/2 Marathon winner), Colin, Chris & Chad.

Ken Friesen B.P.E. is well prepared to cater to runners needs after 20 years as the footwear manager for a large sporting goods company and even longer as a competive runner. Ken opened Stride Ahead Sports in Winnipeg’s Grant Park shopping centre in 2004.

Stride Ahead employees are longtime runners who understand your needs and have been highly trained to analyze your foot and choose product that will perform for you. Ken and his staff help runners prevent injuries and enhance their abilities by fitting them in shoes that are right for their body type and running gait.

As well as running themselves, the staff like to give back to the sport and help other runners improve. Whether they are in the store recommending the proper equipment, helping at races, giving advice or coaching, they would enjoy talking to you about your running.

You may already know some of them but if not here is a short bio on each one.

Colin Barnett - Working at stride ahead for close to 5 years and running for 8 years. Competed on the U.of M. track team while studying Kinesiology and Biology. A 4 time provincial 800 meter champion and Canada West ‘All Canadian’ in X-Country. Colin won a bronze medal in both the Canada West Champioships for the 1000 m. and the Western Candian Summer Games for the 1500 m..

Corey Gallagher - Working at stride ahead for 8 years and running for 15 years. Competed on the U. of M. Track team. In 2011, Corey placed 1st in the Police 1/2 marathon, 2nd in the Manitoba 1/2 Marathon and 6th in the Toronto Waterfront 1/2 marathon in 70:45.

Mike Booth - Working at stride ahead for 5 years and has been running as far back as he can remember. He coaches track athletes in the W.O.A. track club and has led countless running clinics for road runners. A certified massage therapist, Mike recently opened ‘Massage Athletica’. A 4 time Manitoba Marathon winner and past qualifier for Canada’s World X-Country teams are a few of Mike’s successes.

Chris Belof - Workig at stride ahead for 2 years and a runner for 16 years. While running for the U. of M. he was captain of the track team for 3 years and did a double major in Rec. Management and a Bachelor of Kinesiology. Achieved a level 3 Comp. Athletics Coach status and has coached with stride ahead / Tough Track club. Chris is also working at Athletics Manitoba as the Competition & Program Manager. A Canada West Championships bronze medalist in the 3K and team allstar in X-Country.

Chad Fowlie - Working at stride ahead for 6 years and running for 20 years. A stride ahead clinic instructor who has finished 5 full marathons and numerous 1/2 marathons. A high energy volunteer at the stride ahead water station at mile 23 of the Manitoba Marathon each year. Can be seen regularly on his favorite running route along Churchill Drive.

Ken Perchaluk - Working at stride ahead for 3 years and started running in the running boom days of the 70′s. Head coach of ‘Road Kill’, the largest running club in Winnipeg. A Manitoba Runners’ Association Road Running ‘Hall of Fame’ award inductee in the athlete / builder category.