On the Cover

One of Canada’s most promising distance runners was late to the running game

Justyn Knight

Terry Radchenko coached Knight at the University of Toronto Track Club. “Justyn’s career really began at St. Michael’s College School in Toronto. He was a basketball player who ran a 5k in long shorts and basketball shoes to get a good mark in gym class,” Radchenko says.

Since then, Knight has become an eight-time All-American on the track and the 2017 ncaa cross-country individual champion.

Frank Bergin coached Knight at St. Michael’s. Radchenko approached Bergin after ofsaa Track and Field 2013. “Frank and I were chatting and I asked if he would be ok with Justyn coming out to some University of Toronto club practices. Justyn became, and remains to be, a member of uttc,” Radchenko says.

What initially struck Radchenko about Knight was his natural stride and running economy: “The first thing I remember about Justyn is that he didn’t get tired.”

Knight broke out at the ofsaa 2013 3,000m race. “Justyn was in grade 11 and he was racing a bunch of seasoned grade 12 guys. He ended up fifth among a group of really talented runners.”

2018 ncaa 10,000m champion Ben Flanagan was also in that 2013 ofsaa race. “I was a relatively experienced high-school runner, and Knight had just started running,” Flanagan says. “He was so good right out of the gate. It was only a matter of time before Justyn Knight became Justyn Knight.”

Knight graduated from Syracuse University this past spring and is entering his first year as a professional runner. The 5,000m runner signed with Reebok in July, and has since been joined by fellow Canadian Ben Flanagan.— CR