You never know who you may “run” into on a run or on the way to a run for that matter. Borrowing this fun topic from the Tuesday Topics ladies. I thought it would be fun to reminisce on one of my favorite celebrity run ins.
Celebrity Run Ins
Ragnar Relay Races always hold some of my favorite running memories. Last year’s Niagara Falls Ragnar will go down in my running history for so many reasons. Would it be my last? I hope Ragnar can weather the storm and return to offer the amazing experiences they are known for.
Our race experience began in Toronto where we toured for a few days. We headed towards our race start in this super small town called Whitby. After decorating our van, we headed out to fuel up on coffee and breakfast. After googling best breakfast in Whitby, Ontario we ended up at the Food and Art Cafe. A cute little spot, quaintly called “Fart Cafe” with maybe 6 tables.
Low and behold, the guy at the next table was…Jerry Seinfeld. His voice is pretty unmistakeable and we were star struck. My team mates elected me to go over and try to get him to snap a photo with us. After I buttered him up with a little, “oh we all love Seinfeld” and now “comedians in cars with coffee”, I set out to explain what Ragnar was all about.
He seriously thought we were nuts! He could not understand why we would decorate our van and opt to run through the night together. Turns out, he was in town filming and also googled best breakfast spots. In fact, He was particularly enamored with our “Moms Do It all Night Long” team name. We shared a few jokes about that! We even told him it could be great material for his next gig. He graciously posed for a pic with us and we were off.
Little did we know, our little celebrity run in made the local paper! We literally were the talk of the town. A few days later, a local Toronto radio station interviewed me about the whole incident. Definitely enjoyed my 5 minutes of fame. Great memories and a memorable celebrity run in.
Thanks for indulging me in this little “run” down memory lane. Can’t wait to start making those running memories again.
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Me, Debbie, Rachel, Jen , Sandra and Lisa
Haha, that is so much fun, Deborah!
You shared a photo of you with Jerry Seinfeld a while back but I didn’t know the background story. Awesome!
Also, cool that you made it to the local paper and got a radio interview!
5 minutes of fame indeed!!
It was an circumstance of events but lots of fun
I remember you sharing this before but I didn’t remember all the details of this story, like that you made the local paper! What a fun encounter. Now it kind of makes me uncomfortable thinking about a small cafe with only 6 tables. I bet it would be hard to social distance in there!
A different time indeed. Oh 2019 how I miss you
I grew up 10 minutes from Niagara Falls. I dragged my husband to run his first marathon.He almost backed out because he had to fly to China the following day. I just had to return to NC and do Parent Teacher Conferences! It started in Buffalo, NY and ended in Niagara Falls, Canada. It is so cool to start in one country but finish in another. I think it was my favorite marathon because I could see my home town for a long time. I love reading about other peoples adventures. Thanks for sharing your encounter with Jerry!
Thanks for sharing your story as well. It was such a fabulous trip and what a beautiful area to run in
Very cool. Love him.
I met Michel Buble before he was famous. I was ushering at a small local venue. And Hugh Jackman exiting the back door of a theater in NYC.
2 of my favorites how fun!
I love this story!!!! How awesome!!! I once walked into (quite literally!) Will Smith in London. A friend and I were walking in Leicester Square when a crowd including Will Smith walked passed us. We must have been 2 metres away. Had no clue what was happening but there he was! No photos to prove it but that’s my claim to fame, LOL!
You just reminded me that I saw Will Smith in a gym in Colorado once with his whole swarm of body guards. Hard to miss that way!
This is still one of my favorite running stories! I hope that I run into a celebrity during a run eventually – I probably need to run in NYC more for that to happen lol
ha ha or a little town in Canada!
I loved that story when you first posted the picture. So cool that a radio station interviewed you about it too!
Such fun memories
Oh, that’s super fun!
I used to work in the entertainment and sports marketing arenas, so I’ve met plenty of athletes and celebs.
During running, I’ve met Jeff Galloway and Sean Astin, and local celeb Donna Deegan.
And Joan Benoit Samuelson! She is amazing!
Very Fun
I hear Jeff Galloway is pretty amazing in person
I remember this! Reading about it anyway. My husband would’ve loved to meet Seinfield, I’m sure. But then he would’ve had to run. 🙂
ha ha yes!
I love that photo of Jerry at the table looking at you like you’re either crazy or the toughest woman he’s ever met. Maybe both!
Definitely both!
I do remember this story but love reading about it again. So much fun!
I wonder if Ragnar will continue when things are back to normal.
Thank you for linking up with us!
I sure hope Ragnar comes back!
Hello Deborah, Love to see helping community for running , I would surely tell my wife to read this
Hi Deborah, nicely share this celebrity run, a real fun indeed!
thanks!