Emilie Mondor dies in car crash

Oh god, I feel ill. What terrible news. My thoughts go out to her friends and family.

"people's efforts as runners and did not judge them by the times they ran"

Couldn't agree with you more GGE. She didn't judge people on their times at all -- she had genuine respect for people based on their efforts and dedication in the sport.

Mes sympathies pour sa famille et tout ses amis....Elle nous a fait un coup a la Steve Prefontaine....je suis convaincu qu elle est partie avec son dernier training qu elle cogitait en preparation pour le marathon de NY...Les loups seront tristes pour longtemps..et nous aussi RIP Deel

I had the opportunity to meet and run with Emilie in 2005 when she was coming back from an injury. She was such a kind and welcoming person; very down to earth, despite being one of, if not, the top female distance runners in Canada. What a talent, what a person, and what a loss for so many. My condolences to her family and friends. RIP.

Daniel Lamoureux wrote:

Mes sympathies pour sa famille et tout ses amis....Elle nous a fait un coup a la Steve Prefontaine....je suis convaincu qu elle est partie avec son dernier training qu elle cogitait en preparation pour le marathon de NY...Les loups seront tristes pour longtemps..et nous aussi RIP Deel

Yes the same as Steve Prefontaine, same age too! Doesn't make any sense at all!!!

Some people will say there is a reason for this kind of tragedy? Everything happens for a purpose? I wonder what purpose there could possibly be here now!

Very sad news to hear. Being a member of the NAIA I remember when I got the chance to see Emilie run for the first time in 2002 at the NAIA XC Championships in Kenosha, Wisc. I recall even though it was a sloppy course that day all the females knew they were running for 2nd place that day. I remember seeing her fly past the 2 mile mark in great time and we couldn't see 2nd place in site yet. I was not only amazed, but I believe she came through the 2 mile quicker than I did though I had 2 more miles to run on that same course.

Most importanly I remember her at the awards ceremony congratulating all the All-Americans and taking time to come over to our mens team after we won the Mens title. She was a terrific example of what this sport should be about and her racing ability was limitless. My heart goes out to her family and the SFU running family.

My condolensces

To those who didn't know (of) her, consider this.. she's been quoted in interviews as dedicating her life to the sport. We're talking about 12-18 hrs/day training, we're talking about your usual two runs/day, *long* walks, religious stretching and weight training regimen, etc. etc. Guys, she was "training" more and likely harder than any African - EXCEPT that she did it purely for the LOVE of the sport.

Maybe this will grow to legendary proportions, but "whole" athletes like this are few and far between.

This was news that nearly brought me to tears. It was horrible to hear because she was not only the future of Canadian distance running, she WAS Canadian distance running. She will be missed by all.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this difficult time. Emilie will always be remembered for her dedication to the sport she loved.

Great points, Arthur. I really wish there were something I and others could do other than sit here grieving quietly and mumbling about the cosmic unfairness of it all. Maybe someone more creative has some suggestions to that end. Love it or loathe it, this board and the personalities therein constitute a tremendous presence, and I know many here would be willing to contribute in myriad ways.

Very sad news.

Last year she ran Rochester's Run For Hospice (the race director tries to bring in a big name each year for the cause - she ended up replacing Sarah Schwald at the last minute), set a big course record, spoke with the crowd for awhile encouraging them to set goals, etc. She also presented flowers to some of the wheelchair racers. I believe she said she would come back this year and was slated to. I was very impressed with her sincerity and it was the first thing I thought of when I saw this here. Just too soon.

I wish her family all the best.

Waldo wrote:

Most importanly I remember her at the awards ceremony congratulating all the All-Americans and taking time to come over to our mens team after we won the Mens title. She was a terrific example of what this sport should be about and her racing ability was limitless. My heart goes out to her family and the SFU running family.

I have a similar story. After the 2002 Cross Country National Championships in Kenosha, Emilie sought out my women's team in the parking lot and not only congratulated us on winning the team National Championship, but told us how much she admired our team and how she would gladly have given up her individual title and records to win with a team. I can't express how much that meant to our team...it was a pretty amazing thing to say and do.

Ironically, today was the day there were a whole bunch of races finishing in the Olympic Stadium in Montreal where Prefontaine would've run in 76'. In response to another poster saying she dedicated her life to running...she would spend hours at the MAA (Montreal Athletic Association) doing running related exercises. She will sadly be missed in La Belle Province.

This sounds like a Canadian/female reflection of Pre's death.

This is making me very, very sad.

I met Emilie at a race in Toronto this year (she fnished ahead of me). I saw her standing by herself, and I was kinda starstruck but decided to go up and say congrats. She smiled, said thanks, and we wound up shooting the shit for about five minutes. She was bubbling over with enthusiasm about her training and racing, and asked me about my racing. She was very gracious, giving this schmuck plenty of her time, and showing a genuine interest in my training and racing.

What a nice lady. What a tremendous loss. She'll be missed.

She was a special person who seemed to love running with all of her heart. She inspired me as she overcame obstacles in her own life and I am sure that she inspired others. My condolences to her friends and family for her tragic passing.

I remember when she broke 15 min. for 5km, I was so excited for her and for Canadian/North American athletics. Such a tremendous achievement but really no sweat from one SO DEDICATED and DETERMINED. My sincere condolences to her family, friends and those touched by her life.

I had the privilege to be on the 2004 World Cross Country Team with Emilie. What best defines Emilie in my mind is when she took it upon herself to basically pack up our entire Canadian Cross Country running team. We were heading from our 1 week training base in Spa, Belgium to Brussels one day prior to our race and Emilie knew that she did not want to be on a cramped bus in traffic for any longer than necessary. Rush hour was at 5pm in Brussels and she wanted us to leave at 2:30pm not 3:00pm as planned. She knocked on doors, grabbed bags and placed them by the bus and single-handedly packed up an entire junior and senior Canadian Cross Country team plus our support staff. This headstrong will to me is Emilie. She marched to her own drum and she really didn�t care who was behind her. This total dedication to our sport made a lot of heads turn. An athlete�s fire at its finest.

I awoke at 6am today to CBC news, and heard this. "WTF?" Went to an event, asked others if they had heard, no-one did...I began to doubt myself....was it all just a bad f***ing dream....checked the internet at the event hotel....disbelief all around.

I did not know Emily, but from afar I witnessed Greatness in her, and Kindness...everyone who knew her mentioned her kindness....I was amazed at her SunRun from a couple years ago...a staggering achievement....then she had some health issues....followed her recent progress, which I followed on her website with great delight.....

I think my self doubts later today were just not wanting to believe it. What a sad sad day.....what a kind, bubbly personality she was.....the world has lost a great one....

f***!