10 Questions
Aaron Brown In the shadows: A Q&A with a Canadian sprinter deserving of more recognition
Aaron Brown
1What are your defining characteristics as a runner?
I’m somebody who’s relentless and not easily deterred from pursuing my goals. I’ve faced adversity as every athlete has, and part of what has helped me stay in the game is that I don’t quit easily. I’ ll go back and assess what I’ve done wrong and consider how to make improvements. I’m trying to make myself as efficient as possible. I’m relentless when it comes to finding an answer to a problem.
2What is your most vivid running memory?
The first time I broke 11 seconds in grade 10. I was at ofsaa, and I finally ran 10 seconds in the prelim. At the time, I didn’t fully comprehend what I had done. I was just really happy that I’d run a 10 instead of an 11. That was a really big milestone for me.
3 What’s something you can’t live without?
YouTube. The videos I watch will be about sports, personal finance or politics.
4 Whom would you like to have dinner with, living or dead?
Tupac and LeBron. That’s one dead and one alive.
5What is your greatest running-related regret?
That I would overthink races and beat myself before I had even stepped on the track. If I could do that over again, I wouldn’t get lost in the magnitude of the race and realize that there was nothing to be afraid of. If I had that mentality earlier, I think I could’ve achieved more by now.
6If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d like to be a better singer. My favourite songs to sing are by The Weeknd and Michael Jackson.
7Who has been the most influential person in your running career?
My old teammate Andre Hamilton from high school. He has passed away now, but he was one of the reasons I started to get into track. He would always challenge me. It was a big brother/ little brother complex, and anything he said I couldn’t do, I would attempt to prove him wrong. He fed me challenges and piqued my interest in the sport.
8Was there a moment when you knew you could be one of the best runners in the world?
The World Youth Championships 2009. Going into the race I was just happy to qualify, but then I looked at t he list and realized I was ranked 11th overall. I kept improving each round and broke the Canadian youth record in the semifinals. After that, people were favouring me for the gold. I ended up getting the silver medal, and after that point, I knew I could be the best in the world.
9What is your greatest fear?
Not reac hi ng my full potential.
10What is your idea of happiness?
Being able to say that I’m satisfied and content with everything I’ve achieved. It’s also important that my loved ones are in a good position, and I feel at peace.— CR