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The Torontonian

The Torontonian

A running reading marathon

May 29, 2026 · 33 min · 12 segments

In 1984, Silvia Ruegger became the first Canadian woman to run an Olympic marathon. Her Canadian record wouldn’t be beaten for an impressive 28 years. After a career-ending accident, Silvia would…

In 1984, Silvia Ruegger became the first Canadian woman to run an Olympic marathon. Her Canadian record wouldn’t be beaten for an impressive 28 years. After a career-ending accident, Silvia would never try to break her own record again. But that wasn’t what she cared about anymore. For the rest of her life she brought running and reading to kids in some of Toronto’s most vulnerable communities.

In 1984, Silvia Ruegger became the first Canadian woman to run an Olympic marathon. Her Canadian record wouldn’t be beaten for an impressive 28 years. After a career-ending accident, Silvia would…

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Speakers: Nick CapraGuestMary WiensHost

Sylvia Ruger’s Olympic Legend1:28 – 3:16

Nick CapraGuest

1:28

In, in the running community, she is definitely a legend.

Nick CapraGuest

1:31

She was a legend at a very young age, actually.

1:33

What ha- what happened?

Nick CapraGuest

1:34

Because...

Nick CapraGuest

1:34

Well, she represented Canada in the very first women's marathon in the Olympics, which happened in 1984 in, in Los Angeles.

Nick CapraGuest

1:42

She was only 23 years old.

Nick CapraGuest

1:44

Very young in the field.

Nick CapraGuest

1:45

Uh, very young in the marathon running world.

Nick CapraGuest

1:48

And-

1:48

Usually they're older runners

Nick CapraGuest

1:50

... usually, yeah.

Nick CapraGuest

1:50

Usually-

1:51

Hmm

Nick CapraGuest

1:51

... they're a little older than that.

Nick CapraGuest

1:52

The, the elite runners are usually-

1:54

Mm-hmm

Nick CapraGuest

1:54

... more in their late 20s, early 30s.

Nick CapraGuest

1:56

Um, however, Sylvia was remarkable.

Nick CapraGuest

1:59

At 23 years old-

2:00

Wow

Nick CapraGuest

2:01

... hottest marathon possibly could happen.

Nick CapraGuest

2:04

It was in LA.

2:05

It was in LA.

2:05

Wow.

Nick CapraGuest

2:05

Yeah, it was so, so hot.

Society
Child DevelopmentHealth > Physical Health > Exercise
Sports CultureCulture > Canadian Culture
Literacy ProgramsEducation
AthleticsSports
Women in SportsSports > Athletics > Marathon Running
Marathon RunningSports > Athletics
ExerciseHealth > Physical Health
Health and WellnessSociety > Community Development > Youth Empowerment
Physical HealthHealth
Canadian CultureCulture
Community DevelopmentSociety
Mental HealthHealth > Physical Health > Exercise > Child Development
Youth EmpowermentSociety > Community Development
Canadian AthletesSports > Athletics > Marathon Running > Women in Sports
Physical EducationEducation > Literacy Programs
After-School ProgramsEducation > Literacy Programs > Physical Education
Community EngagementEducation > Literacy Programs > Physical Education > After-School Programs
Physical ActivitySociety > Community Development > Youth Empowerment > Health and Wellness
Community InitiativesCulture > Canadian Culture > Sports Culture
Social ChangeCulture > Canadian Culture > Sports Culture > Community Initiatives
Sports
Health
Education
Culture

Sylvia Ruger’s Olympic Legend1:28 – 3:16

Nick CapraGuest

1:28

In, in the running community, she is definitely a legend.

Nick CapraGuest

1:31

She was a legend at a very young age, actually.

1:33

What ha- what happened?

Nick CapraGuest

1:34

Because...

Nick CapraGuest

1:34

Well, she represented Canada in the very first women's marathon in the Olympics, which happened in 1984 in, in Los Angeles.

Nick CapraGuest

1:42

She was only 23 years old.

Nick CapraGuest

1:44

Very young in the field.

Nick CapraGuest

1:45

Uh, very young in the marathon running world.

Nick CapraGuest

1:48

And-

1:48

Usually they're older runners

Nick CapraGuest

1:50

... usually, yeah.

Nick CapraGuest

1:50

Usually-

1:51

Hmm

Nick CapraGuest

1:51

... they're a little older than that.

Nick CapraGuest

1:52

The, the elite runners are usually-

1:54

Mm-hmm

Nick CapraGuest

1:54

... more in their late 20s, early 30s.

Nick CapraGuest

1:56

Um, however, Sylvia was remarkable.

Nick CapraGuest

1:59

At 23 years old-

2:00

Wow

Nick CapraGuest

2:01

... hottest marathon possibly could happen.

Nick CapraGuest

2:04

It was in LA.

2:05

It was in LA.

2:05

Wow.

Nick CapraGuest

2:05

Yeah, it was so, so hot.

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