Who We Are
Led by Cory Freedman, MAX VO2 is a group of leading experts and strategists who specialize in the management of endurance events. We are: logistic gurus, leaders in delivering seamless race experiences and all round amazing relationship-builders.
Melanie Edwards - Volunteer Director
Melanie has been the Toronto Women’s Run Series’ Volunteer Manager since the first race, the Women’s Half/5K, in May of 2009, and has been the Volunteer Manager for the Sporting Life 10K since 2014. She has also been the Volunteer Manager for the Rebecca Run for SMA since 2010.
Melanie has recruited and built a team of 1200 volunteers for the Sporting Life 10K, many of whom are now returning to the same position every year. Her goal has always been to ensure that every volunteer position is filled at every race, and to ensure that the volunteer experience is a rewarding one for those who give up their time so generously (and often painfully early in the morning!).
Melanie is an avid runner and has run several marathons, ultramarathons and trail races. In addition, she has been the marathon coach at the Yonge St Running Room for the past seven years.
Melanie has been the Toronto Women’s Run Series’ Volunteer Manager since the first race, the Women’s Half/5K, in May of 2009, and has been the Volunteer Manager for the Sporting Life 10K since 2014. She has also been the Volunteer Manager for the Rebecca Run for SMA since 2010.
Melanie has recruited and built a team of 1200 volunteers for the Sporting Life 10K, many of whom are now returning to the same position every year. Her goal has always been to ensure that every volunteer position is filled at every race, and to ensure that the volunteer experience is a rewarding one for those who give up their time so generously (and often painfully early in the morning!).
Melanie is an avid runner and has run several marathons, ultramarathons and trail races. In addition, she has been the marathon coach at the Yonge St Running Room for the past seven years.
Kathryn Handford - Logistics and Planning Director
Kathryn came to the world of events through her love of organization, planning and sports. Beginning in the sports world and then branching into charitable organizations and the corporate world has given her an overwhelming amount of event experience encompassing logistics, marketing, sponsorship, planning and execution.
Her first event experience was as the Ontario Technical Judging Chair for trampoline, which determined her career path. This journey took her to university sports, into the not-for-profit industry and then conferences, galas and tradeshows in the publishing world. The full circle has brought her back into the sports field now working with MAX VO2 Management Inc. Kathryn is an avid runner and triathlete and has completed nine marathons and six Ironman triathlons.
Kathryn came to the world of events through her love of organization, planning and sports. Beginning in the sports world and then branching into charitable organizations and the corporate world has given her an overwhelming amount of event experience encompassing logistics, marketing, sponsorship, planning and execution.
Her first event experience was as the Ontario Technical Judging Chair for trampoline, which determined her career path. This journey took her to university sports, into the not-for-profit industry and then conferences, galas and tradeshows in the publishing world. The full circle has brought her back into the sports field now working with MAX VO2 Management Inc. Kathryn is an avid runner and triathlete and has completed nine marathons and six Ironman triathlons.
Lisa Peirce - Registration Manager
Lisa is an athletics enthusiast who has always enjoyed a healthful, active lifestyle. From a young age the principles of good nutrition and physical activity have always been paramount in her daily life. The sports she first fell in love with are the ones she still loves today. On land running cross country and track and field events and on the court playing volleyball. Her most recent adventures find her in the gym donning a pair of boxing gloves, on the water stand up paddle boarding and on the bench coaching youth volleyball.
Her first introduction to organized road races was at the Toronto Women’s Run Series 10k/5k event in August of 2009. It was like nothing she had ever experienced and empowered her to pursue additional running goals. Since then she has participated in several events across the GTA at every distance from 5k to the half marathon.
Lisa’s love of running, sport and helping people succeed brought her to volunteer with the Toronto Women's Run Series in 2013 and she has since joined our team as Kit Pick-up Manager for the Toronto Women’s Run Series, Sporting Life 10k and Rebecca Run for SMA. She is methodical and organized and ensures every runner receives what they need prior to and on race day. Whether it’s simple words of encouragement or time-tested answers to alleviate pre-race jitters, she can always be found behind the bins of bibs with a kind, knowing smile.
Lisa is an athletics enthusiast who has always enjoyed a healthful, active lifestyle. From a young age the principles of good nutrition and physical activity have always been paramount in her daily life. The sports she first fell in love with are the ones she still loves today. On land running cross country and track and field events and on the court playing volleyball. Her most recent adventures find her in the gym donning a pair of boxing gloves, on the water stand up paddle boarding and on the bench coaching youth volleyball.
Her first introduction to organized road races was at the Toronto Women’s Run Series 10k/5k event in August of 2009. It was like nothing she had ever experienced and empowered her to pursue additional running goals. Since then she has participated in several events across the GTA at every distance from 5k to the half marathon.
Lisa’s love of running, sport and helping people succeed brought her to volunteer with the Toronto Women's Run Series in 2013 and she has since joined our team as Kit Pick-up Manager for the Toronto Women’s Run Series, Sporting Life 10k and Rebecca Run for SMA. She is methodical and organized and ensures every runner receives what they need prior to and on race day. Whether it’s simple words of encouragement or time-tested answers to alleviate pre-race jitters, she can always be found behind the bins of bibs with a kind, knowing smile.