| MISSION STATEMENT EHS, Gladstone T.& F. and Ontario Racewalkers are a group of dedicated and committed track & field coaching and administrative specialists working as a "team" to create a total environment conducive to the development of dedicated and committed athletes of all ages and abilities. We exist to contribute to the athletes' personal growth and to assist them in attaining their potential with ultimate performance up to and including medals at premier international events, which will, in turn assist Athletics Canada and the Ontario Track & Field Association to enhance their profile and the profile of our sport. |
The "HOME" page gives you a short history of the Ontario Racewallkers. Here, I would like to explain
a little about the organization that the Ontario Racewalkers belong to.
In January, 2005 the Ontario Racewalkers became part of a much larger organization. The 2 sister
clubs are the Etobicoke Huskies/Striders Track & Field club (EHS) and the Gladstone Track & Field
club. All three clubs are run by one organization. There are seven Board of Directors that actually own
the clubs. Under them is an executive team: Stafford Whalen - President; John Powell - Vise
President; Sean Holman - Treasurer and Bill McIlwaine - Club Administrator.
There are many efficiencies and cost savings in this set up. Most important, we need only one paid
administrator to make sure the club is running smoothly on a daily basis. Bill McIlwaine can be
reached through his cell: 416.569.1774.
The actual date of the formation of the Gladstone club is not know but it is most likely around 1930.
The Etobicoke Huskies/Striders started in 1963 when about 20 members of Gladstone club broke
away to form the Toronto Striders which became the Etobicoke Striders in 1968. In the mid 70's a
group of distance runners split from the Striders to form the Etobicoke Huskies. In 1987 the
Etobicoke Striders and Huskies reunited to form todays Etobicoke Huskies/Striders. This was done
to reduce administrative workload and financial costs. Shortly after this the Gladstone Club added its
executive team to the pot and became a sister club. Both clubs have their own coaches and athletes,
only the executive is shared.
a little about the organization that the Ontario Racewalkers belong to.
In January, 2005 the Ontario Racewalkers became part of a much larger organization. The 2 sister
clubs are the Etobicoke Huskies/Striders Track & Field club (EHS) and the Gladstone Track & Field
club. All three clubs are run by one organization. There are seven Board of Directors that actually own
the clubs. Under them is an executive team: Stafford Whalen - President; John Powell - Vise
President; Sean Holman - Treasurer and Bill McIlwaine - Club Administrator.
There are many efficiencies and cost savings in this set up. Most important, we need only one paid
administrator to make sure the club is running smoothly on a daily basis. Bill McIlwaine can be
reached through his cell: 416.569.1774.
The actual date of the formation of the Gladstone club is not know but it is most likely around 1930.
The Etobicoke Huskies/Striders started in 1963 when about 20 members of Gladstone club broke
away to form the Toronto Striders which became the Etobicoke Striders in 1968. In the mid 70's a
group of distance runners split from the Striders to form the Etobicoke Huskies. In 1987 the
Etobicoke Striders and Huskies reunited to form todays Etobicoke Huskies/Striders. This was done
to reduce administrative workload and financial costs. Shortly after this the Gladstone Club added its
executive team to the pot and became a sister club. Both clubs have their own coaches and athletes,
only the executive is shared.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
PAST SUCCESSES
Successes over the years have been many for our 3 clubs. Our Cross Country teams have won countless Ontario and
Canadian Championships in different age categories. Cathy Scharge (Griffith) was one of the 1st female marathoners in
Canada. Gayle Olinek ran a 2.40 in the early 70's. Sylvia Reugger finished 6th in the LA Olympics and holds the Canadian
record of 2.28. Other great female athletes include Heidi Gerum, Paula Schnurr, Kathy Butler, Sally Beach, Jill Purola,
Donna Bartosek, Bae Allison and sprinters Angela Bailey, Carline Muir and Foy Williams and high jumpers Louise Hanna,
Julie White and Maggie Woods (who was in the Guiness Book of World records for height differential) and '96 Olympic long
jumper Nicole Devonish.
Some of our male champions: in distance - Dave Edge, Mike Dyon (president of Brooks Canada), Dave Reid, Paul Steeds,
John Castellano, Peter Walker, and in Sprints - Tim Bethune, any many many athletes from all other disciplines.
Among the outstanding racewalkers are the following Canadian Champions and international competitors: Helmut Boeck,
Glenn Sweazey, Roman Olszewski, Arturo Huerta (2 time Olympian), Nanci Patten-Sweazey, Lily Whalen, Joni Bender,
Mandy Holland, and Helene Daviau (Canadian Senior champ. at age 15).
Masters Athletes: Our club is possibly the most powerful masters club in the country. Earl Fee, age 76, was the Masters
World athlete of the year with world records in the 300m hurdles, 200m, 400m & 800m. His female partner Karla Del
Grande was not far behind with gold medals at the worlds in 100m, 200m and 400m. The list of elite masters athletes is
amazing.
Successes over the years have been many for our 3 clubs. Our Cross Country teams have won countless Ontario and
Canadian Championships in different age categories. Cathy Scharge (Griffith) was one of the 1st female marathoners in
Canada. Gayle Olinek ran a 2.40 in the early 70's. Sylvia Reugger finished 6th in the LA Olympics and holds the Canadian
record of 2.28. Other great female athletes include Heidi Gerum, Paula Schnurr, Kathy Butler, Sally Beach, Jill Purola,
Donna Bartosek, Bae Allison and sprinters Angela Bailey, Carline Muir and Foy Williams and high jumpers Louise Hanna,
Julie White and Maggie Woods (who was in the Guiness Book of World records for height differential) and '96 Olympic long
jumper Nicole Devonish.
Some of our male champions: in distance - Dave Edge, Mike Dyon (president of Brooks Canada), Dave Reid, Paul Steeds,
John Castellano, Peter Walker, and in Sprints - Tim Bethune, any many many athletes from all other disciplines.
Among the outstanding racewalkers are the following Canadian Champions and international competitors: Helmut Boeck,
Glenn Sweazey, Roman Olszewski, Arturo Huerta (2 time Olympian), Nanci Patten-Sweazey, Lily Whalen, Joni Bender,
Mandy Holland, and Helene Daviau (Canadian Senior champ. at age 15).
Masters Athletes: Our club is possibly the most powerful masters club in the country. Earl Fee, age 76, was the Masters
World athlete of the year with world records in the 300m hurdles, 200m, 400m & 800m. His female partner Karla Del
Grande was not far behind with gold medals at the worlds in 100m, 200m and 400m. The list of elite masters athletes is
amazing.
