When this year comes to an end and I look back at the Brainsport Times editions for 2026, this might be one of my favourite newsletters.
Part of the beauty of the Brainsport Times is we try to take you behind the scenes. Thanks to New Balance and Brainsport, Saskatchewan runner Mikey Dubz received a bib for the New York City Marathon earlier this month.
In this week's Brainsport Times, Mikey takes us behind the scenes into the world's biggest running weekend.
"I've run a lot of races, but I've never experienced anything quite like this. It honestly felt like the entire city showed up to throw one massive 42.2km street party, and we were lucky enough to run right through the middle of it!" exclaimed Mikey.
"The NYC Marathon is honestly like one MASSIVE meeting point for running clubs from all over the world, and to be honest, that was probably my favourite part of the entire experience!"
Mikey and his running partner Nekky Jamal attended several shake-out runs throughout the weekend. "By the time we actually lined up for the marathon, we had already logged more than a marathon's worth of kilometres just exploring the city and running with different groups," continued Mikey.
"The running culture has grown into something so much bigger than just running. It doesn't matter where you're from, what language you speak, how fast you run, or what your background is. You show up to one of these shake-out runs and it's almost like you're instantly friends. Or, in our case, FAMILY!
"Everyone has the same objective for that next hour: laugh, run, share some miles, and make memories with new and old friends. There's something pretty special about that."
One of the most impactful and kind moments happened nearly 40 hours before the race, when Mikey met-up with a run club from New Jersey. "We met an incredible run club from New Jersey called OTR (On The Run Run Club)," he explained.
"Our luggage had been lost on the way down to NYC, so we were literally stuck with the only shirts and shorts we had on us, with absolutely no idea when, or even IF, our bags would show up.
"Without hesitation, the crew from OTR hooked us up with some of their brand-new gear to get us through the morning and immediately welcomed us like we had been part of their club for years.
"And that's what I mean when I talk about running culture. These were people we had JUST MET, going out of their way to help a couple of Canadians they barely knew. The kindness and generosity they showed us is something we'll remember forever. THAT is what makes this community so incredible!"
As for the marathon... "From the moment we loaded the buses at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday morning until the moment my head hit the pillow that night, the entire city was ALIVE! And yes, I know we're talking about NYC, the city that never sleeps, but on marathon day? It's on a completely different level!
"I read somewhere that approximately 2.1 million spectators lined both sides of the 42.2km course. But if you would've asked me while I was running, I would've guessed 5 MILLION! That's how insane the energy was.
"The music, the cheering, the signs, the people screaming your name, and the pure excitement around every corner. It was absolutely ELECTRIC!"
"And I can't talk about this experience without giving a MASSIVE thank you to New Balance. They gave me an opportunity I never could have imagined, allowing me to represent both New Balance and Canada on one of the biggest running stages in the world. They opened the door for me to experience so much of what NYC Marathon weekend has to offer and treated this Canadian kid so awesome," Mikey continued.
"And of course, none of this would have happened without my DAY ONE running family, Brainsport. They've been part of my running journey from the beginning, and being able to represent my hometown running community and the store that's supported me through so much, all the way down in the Big Apple, meant more than I can put into words.
"I'll forever be grateful for the opportunity, the friendships, and the memories."
