The Calgary operating group has misplaced certainly one of its most devoted and well-loved members with the passing of Gord Hobbins, who died on March 6. A lifelong runner, race organizer, mentor and enterprise proprietor, Hobbins was the center and soul behind Gord’s Working Retailer, which just lately celebrated its thirty fifth anniversary. Hobbins’s dedication triggered the shop to change into greater than a spot that bought operating gear—it was a hub for runners of all ranges searching for recommendation, encouragement and camaraderie. Hobbins was 63.
Hobbins’s ardour for the game was evident in every part he did. Whether or not he was lacing up for his personal races or supporting others in theirs, he had an incomparable presence within the operating group. A formidable athlete in his personal proper, he received the inaugural Misplaced Soul Extremely 100-mile race in Lethbridge in 2000 and returned repeatedly, competing not less than 12 occasions between 2000 and 2024. His love of path and highway racing prolonged past participation—he was a continuing determine at native occasions, both operating, volunteering or just cheering others on. Hobbins was additionally the founding father of the Frozen Ass 50, a winter extremely in Calgary that introduced out a devoted group of athletes yearly, able to run 50K or 25K in frigid temperatures, together with his encouragement.
Dean Johnson, a fellow ultrarunner, coach and co-race director of Misplaced Soul Extremely, recollects how Hobbins might be discovered at almost each race within the Calgary space, all the time prepared to supply encouragement and share in others’ accomplishments. “You can see the enjoyment on his face as he congratulated the finishers,” Johnson mentioned.
Ron Bain, the unique proprietor of the Runner’s Soul retailer in Lethbridge, remembers Hobbins’s generosity and experience within the operating trade. “He offered invaluable steering, help and kindness, and it was all the time a fantastic day when our paths would cross,” he says. “He was the go-to man for all issues operating and had the respect of everybody within the enterprise.”
One among Hobbins’s signature phrases, “Have enjoyable on the market,” will stay on within the spirit of these he impressed. Deb Firth, his pal and the creator of distinctive rock artwork awards for Misplaced Soul Extremely class winners, has chosen to inscribe these phrases on this 12 months’s awards in his honour—a becoming tribute to a person who introduced a lot to the game and the individuals in it.
Hobbins’s loss is deeply felt, however he has left a legacy in each race he helped form, each runner he inspired and each group he strengthened. On social media, an outpouring of appreciation for him adopted the announcement of his dying, with many individuals sharing tales in regards to the methods he touched their lives in even the smallest interplay.
His household has requested privateness, and in accordance with their needs, there might be no public funeral. Gord’s Working Retailer will stay open, as he would have needed, although these visiting are requested to be conscious of the employees, who’re additionally grieving.
For these seeking to honour Hobbins’s reminiscence, the household encourages a donation to a psychological well being or suicide prevention group, or a running-related charity. And, maybe most fittingly, they counsel merely going for a run.
If you happen to or somebody you realize is combating their psychological well being, assist is obtainable. In Calgary, name or textual content (403) 266-4357; within the Toronto space, contact CAMH at 988 or name or textual content (416) 408-4357.
