Leah Pells

Since 1985, Canadian Leah Pells has been tearing up the track. Three time Olympian (1992, 1996, 2000), six time Canadian Champion, and silver medalist in a photo-finish at the 1999 Pan American Games, Pells never ceases to amaze those who have followed her career. Her specialty is the 1500, with a PR of 4:03.56 (set in Atlanta 1996). Her 800 m times are equally impressive, with a PR of 2:02.01 (1995). Recently, however, she has been sidelined. Not with an injury, but with another life, the life of her son Luke.

She met husband John Turenne during the summer of 1998. He was playing basketball near her house, when her dog, Sunnie, ran onto the course and stole the ball. Well, she and Turenne chased the dog down. The ball was ruined, but a romance was formed. After a whirlwind romance, they were married in Vegas at the Chapel of Love. Her remarks? "It sounds really corny but it's been a real fairy tale to me."

Leah Pells is the kind of person who can make everything seem like a fairy tale. When she finished fourth in the Olympics in 1996, you would think that she would be real disappointed. Instead, she says, "...I just love this lifestyle so much that I weant to do it as long as I possibly can before I have to get a real job." Her best experience was the semi final in 1996. Her parents were there, they have always been so supportive. She knew that she had to qualify in the semis to make it into the finals. When she succeeded, she cried; it was a huge emotional relief.

She does do some things besides run. During the summer, you can find her on the track, coaching would-be track stars. She also can be found at races and seminars, discussing the life of an Olympian.

She says that "I have always found the best thing about running is the fact that it is so personal. I love running. My motivation has always been that love of sport. Now that I have Luke, it is the absolute best combination of passions, being Luke's Mom and running. I head out very early each morning for my run, while my husband John is with Luke, and then I am home with him most of the day, til the afternoon work-out. so, it's a pretty sweet life." Many of her runs are with her dogs (both retrievers) either with Beau (the 2 year old male) or Sunnie (the 7 year old female). She enjoys their companionship during the runs, as well as the protection offered from a large dog. We will be watching as she gears up for her next racing season.