Malindi Elmore, a 44-year-old mother of two, is training for her third Olympic Games, where she will be competing in the marathon for Canada. Elmore previously competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, finishing in the top 10. She retired from competition in 2012 but decided to make a comeback after the birth of her first son, Charlie. Initially, Elmore transitioned to triathlon before focusing on long-distance running. With the support of her husband, Graham Hood, who serves as her coach, she set her sights on the Olympics once again.
Elmore’s journey back to Olympic competition began in 2018 when she decided to train for a marathon in Houston. Just a year later, she set a Canadian national record in the marathon with a time of 2:24:50. In Tokyo, she finished ninth despite the sweltering heat. Now, Elmore is preparing for the Paris Olympics with the goal of achieving another top-10 finish. She acknowledges the competitiveness of women’s marathoning but remains dedicated to her dream of one day standing on the podium with the Canadian flag.
Balancing training for the Olympics with parenting responsibilities, Elmore finds time to run during her children’s activities, early in the morning, or whenever there’s a spare moment. Her dedication to her sport serves as an example to her children, who will accompany her to Paris for the Games. Elmore’s family will also turn the trip into a vacation, allowing the kids to experience Europe. She believes that pursuing personal goals while raising a family can make parents better role models and contribute to their children’s development.
Elmore’s athletic career began in 2004 when she represented Canada in the 1,500-meter event at the Athens Olympics. She was an All-American at Stanford University before transitioning to marathon running. Her husband, Graham Hood, is also a former Olympian and helps coach her through training. Elmore’s passion for running and triathlon led her to compete professionally and achieve podium finishes in long-distance events. The support of her family and her own determination have driven Elmore to continue pursuing her Olympic dreams.
Despite the challenges of balancing training with parenting, Elmore remains focused on her goals and continues to push herself to perform at a high level. She emphasizes the importance of setting personal goals and maintaining a sense of identity outside of parenthood. Elmore’s commitment to her sport serves as an inspiration to others, showing that age is not a barrier to achieving success and that hard work and dedication can lead to impressive results. As she prepares for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, Elmore is setting an example of resilience and determination for her children and the community.
