Krista DuChene

2026 Inductee – Athlete: Athletics, Marathon

Krista DuChene is affectionately known as "Canada's Marathon Mom.” She received the nickname when, on Mother’s Day, she won her first marathon shortly after the birth of her second child. From that point, Krista built a legendary career as one of the country's most resilient and accomplished distance runners. A 2016 Olympian, she made history by becoming the first Canadian woman to qualify for the Olympic marathon in 20 years. Her career is defined not only by international success but by an extraordinary ability to overcome adversity, most notably finishing a race on a fractured femur in 2014 before making a triumphant comeback to the world stage. 

In 2018, DuChene finished 3rd at the Boston Marathon, which is one of the best Canadian performances at the event, ever. At her final competitive marathon, Tokyo 2023, Krista solidified her status as one of the most prolific marathoners in history, becoming one of only a select few globally - estimated at fewer than 10 people - to have competed in the “Big Eight”: the Olympics, the World Championships, and all six Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Some of DuChene’s notable accomplishments include having represented Team Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, placing 3rd overall at the 2018 Boston Marathon, competing at all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, holding a Canadian 50 km record, being crowned a two-time Canadian Marathon Champion (2010, 2016) and 2013 Canadian Half Marathon Champion, recording a lifetime personal best time of 2:28:32 at the 2013 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and representing Team Canada at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.