Tonya Rouse Hillenbrand has run herself right into an automatic induction to the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
Hillenbrand accumulated several accolades in the sport of track and anything with “athlon” at the end of it.
Born in Barrie, at a very young age Hillenbrand started track winning medals in events throughout her middle school years at Assikinack Public School. Later at Innisdale HS, she became an OFSSA champion winning bronze and gold in events at the highest provincial level. Though now in Illinois, Hillenbrand recalls fondly her time in her hometown.
“I love and miss Barrie,” said Hillenbrand. “It's a beautiful city that I was fortunate to be raised in. Barrie has so much to offer residents from the spectacular waterfront, local ski slopes, great schools and municipal programs. It's also a great geographical location from the world’s best cottage country and a large metropolitan city, all within an hour's drive.”
It was during her high school years and a trip to the Barbados with the South Simcoe Dufferin Track and Field Club that the running star fell in love with Duathlon.
Borrowing a bike from a local bike shop, Hillenbrand joined a race and added that to her growing sport-participation list.
“I love discipline and training for long distances,” said Hillenbrand. “Each individual sport was a challenge in discipline and I loved putting them all together.”
Continuing with her sport into the University of Toronto, Hillenbrand became heavily involved in triathlons and duathlons.
In 1993, she was named an Ontario Women’s InterUniversity Athletic Association All Star and was Barrie’s 1994 Athlete of the Year. Also in 1993, Hillenbrand ran her first World Championship in England and in 1995 won bronze on the women’s national junior team in New Zealand.
At the age of 21, she won a gold medal in Mexico as a member of both the Canadian Triathlon and Duathlon teams, earning the Duathlete of the Year for Canada award. After so many years in competitive mode, the mom of three is now able to get back to the grass-roots love of the sport.
“I naturally fell in love with running when I was young and that lead to competitions on the track and in cross country races,” said Hillenbrand. “High school is when I started to do duathlon and triathlons. I have never really stopped running; I just don't compete anymore and now do it for fun. A good run in the park or Chicago's Lake front just because it feels good. Our children, ages 4, 6 and 7 are beginning to enjoy the sport, so I may tag along for some 5 kms with them.”
With many kids looking to media-popular sports to join (hockey, baseball, football and basketball), Hillenbrand believes that running is a great way to not only stay physically fit but also mentally healthy.
Once the host of a health and fitness program called Perfect Fit, Hillenbrand is now on the University of Chicago Hospital Patient Advisory Council and still advocates the benefits of running.
“Running is a sport that people can do that benefits the body and mind,” said Hillenbrand. “I found it to be a great spontaneous form of exercise. Running requires little gear, some good running shoes and I always ran with music; a little Eye of the Tiger. You can pick up and head out for a run when it works for your schedule. Most days of the year you can run even in the middle of winter. I think some of my most spectacular runs were during hot summer rain showers. Running is a great form of exercise and stress relief and can be a form of meditation for some people. It can also be purposeful for reaching goals and achievements. I have loved it from both the pure enjoyment of the running and training for races.”
As for the Wednesday October 5 induction ceremony for the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, Hillenbrand wouldn’t miss it.
“I’m very excited and honoured to be inducted. I will be there and look forward to coming home.”
