Editor’s note: This will be Gary Baldwin’s last column until after the municipal election in October. Baldwin is running for Peterborough council re-election. It is The Examiner’s policy not to publish opinion pieces from candidates during an election period.

The son of Krista and Mike MacDonald, and younger brother of Payton, Parker MacDonald has always been active. Growing up, he played house league hockey and youth soccer, and participated in many sports while attending elementary school at Otonabee Valley Public School and Kenner Intermediate School. 

Like many of his school friends in elementary school, Parker participated in several activities, including cross-country running, volleyball, basketball, flag rugby and track and field. When he first attended Kenner Collegiate Parker was looking forward to playing sports. Unfortunately, COVID suspended all sports and activities.

Having played rep soccer growing up, Parker made the Kenner boys’ soccer team in Grade 10. He also made the cross-country running team. His goal was to make it to OFSAA, which was being hosted that year at Lakefield College School. Parker remembers finishing the race in about 250th place out of about 300 runners.

During the summer heading into Grade 11, and inspired by making it to OFSAA, Parker began to do some research. He discovered an app called Strava where runners post their results. He knew some of the runners from OFSAA who posted results (times) and he began to follow their training regimen.

Parker also bought a pair of shoes specifically designed for running cross-country. With the Strava app, a smart watch and new footwear, Parker was determined to get better. He also joined the local Kawartha Lakes Track Club where he met head coach Darl Sutherland.

“I credit most of my success to this point from the coaching and encouragement I received from coach Sutherland,” says Parker.

In Grade 11, Parker also competed in track and field. He ran 1,500 metres, 3,000 metres, the 4x400 metre relay and steeplechase event. In Grade 12, Parker qualified for the OFSAA steeplechase final, a gruelling 2,000-metre event that includes 20 hurdles and five water jumps. He finished 11th in the field of 12. 

That summer, Parker entered the steeplechase event at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania. He was the only Canadian in a field of 50 runners. He placed 43rd but the experience he learned was invaluable.

Parker returned to Kenner for another year and once again qualified for the OFSAA steeplechase event. Held in Toronto, he pulled his hamstring in his final race as a Kenner athlete. He completed the event but knew he had no chance of winning. Disappointed by but not deterred, Parker returned to Philadelphia.

He was joined by three other Canadian high school runners in a field of 50. Parker finished third. Since then, he has been contacted by 20 to 30 colleges and universities, including Canadian schools and American Division 1 and Division 2 schools. With the cost to attend an American school, Parker is weighing his options while continuing to train with the Peterborough Pacers running club. 

This summer will be a pivotal one for Parker. He has been drafted by the Canadian Track and Field League and will compete for one of four teams. Points are earned based on performance in each of six preliminary events that lead to a championship meet in June. 

Parker’s goal is to attend an American school. He is hopeful that his 100 kilometres of weekly training and a strong season in the Canadian Track and Field League will make his dream become a reality.

If commitment, perseverance and dedication count, Parker MacDonald will soon be competing in steeplechase for an American school of his choice.

© Peterborough Examiner