Local runners want to turn Guelph into “the running capital of Canada” by churning out the greatest number of world-class athletes in the country and encouraging community members at all other levels to take up the sport.

Already, the city is a magnet for competitive runners eager to train under the tutelage of popular coach Dave Scott-Thomas. Dozens of athletes have relocated to Guelph in recent years to train with his Speed River Track and Field Club, and five of the club’s members have been to either the Olympics or world championships.

But, as good as his top runners are, Scott-Thomas’s vision for the sport doesn’t stop at the elite level.

“We would like this to be a place where people around the world know they can show up, find good trails, find people that understand the joy of movement and health, and we would like to think it’s pretty normal for people to look around Guelph and see people running along the river trails and just enjoying being healthy,” the award-winning coach said.

Scott-Thomas and other local running icons are hosting a town hall on Tuesday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Guelph’s Rozanski Hall to share their goals and solicit ideas on how to achieve them.