About Malindi

Personal History & Career Highlights

Runner, Triathlete and Coach

I was raised as a multi-sport athlete who participated in soccer, field hockey, skiing, waterskiing, running, hiking – and almost anything else I could do!  But running was my true love, and by 12 years old I decided it would be the sport that would take me to the Olympics.  After a successful high school career, I attended Stanford University where I was the 800 and 1500m record holders before new young speedsters came along.  Upon graduating, I decided to put all my efforts into qualifying for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. My dreams came true on July 1st, 2004 when I won the Canadian Track and Field Championships in 4:04 and was selected to the Olympic Team.

It was a dream come true

After a rewarding career, I retired from professional running in 2012, but I still loved to train and race. After the birth of my first son, Charlie, I picked up the sport of triathlon – I just wanted to get fit and strong again as part of my postpartum recovery.  It didn’t take long before I converted to long distance triathlon. Over the course of two years, I competed in 20 long course triathlon races with numerous podium finishes, including 3rd in my debut Ironman in Arizona with a time of 8:57.

 Return to Running

After my second baby boy was born, I was ready to try a new challenge – marathon racing. Six months later, I laced up my racing flats in Jan 2019 and raced my first marathon. A 2:32 marathon left me hungry for more and brought an old flame back into my life: the pursuit of the 2020 Olympic Games. One year later, I was thrilled to finish 3rd overall in 2:24.50 which was a Canadian record by more than 2 minutes. The realities of COVID changed the year dramatically, and the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed, but thankfully I was selected to represent Canada at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.  I met my goals of a Top 10 finish by finishing 9th at the Olympic Games – a thrill and honour to mix it up with the top runners in the world!

More dreams yet to come true

Part of my own athletic journey includes helping other people achieve their own goals. Over the years I have been thrilled to help runners achieve their own goals and currently work as a coach at UBC-Okanagan with both our varsity and junior program, and as a private online coach to motivated runners. Please see more about coaching if you are interested in a chat.

I continue to chase my own running goals which are a moving target – who doesn’t love to run fast?  But my primary motivator is to see how fast I can run by committing to doing my best and loving the process.  

 

Biography

Hometown: Kelowna, BC

Education: Stanford University, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia

Profession:  Teacher & Coach
Birthdate: March 13, 1980
Coach: Graham Hood & Mike Van Tighem
Team: Saucony
Family: Graham, Charlie  & Oliver Hood

Career Highlights

Running

  • 9th in Olympic Marathon, Tokyo
  • Canadian Marathon Record Holder
  • 7 x Canadian Champion
  • Past Stanford University Record Holder
  • 6 x All American
  • 2 x Olympian (2004 1500m, 2021 Marathon)
  • Bronze Medalist: World Cross Country (team), Pan American Games & World University Games.
  • Personal Bests –  2:02 (800m), 4:02 (1500m), 8:51 (3000m), 15:12 (5000m), 32:40 road 10 km), 1:11 (half marathon) and 2:24 (marathon)

Triathlon

  • Sub 9 hour debut Ironman
  • 8 podium finishes at Ironman Races in 2015-2016

Race Schedule & Results

 

Due to COVID, all 2021 Races TBA

Boston Marathon 2:27.58 (11th)

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Marathon 2:31 (9th)

Houston Marathon 2:24.50 (3rd) Canadian National Record
No more races due to COVID

2019
Houston Marathon 2:32:11 (7th)
Shamrock Run 8 km 26:20 (1st)
Vancouver Sun Run 10 km 32:59 (3rd)
Times Colonist 10 km 32:58 (2nd)
Canadian Champs 10 km 32:57 (2nd)
Canadian Half Marathon Championships 1:11:06 (1st)

2018
Oliver Hood arrives in June
James Cunningham Seawall Race 34:12 (1st)
San Diego Holiday Half Marathon 1:12:49 (1st)

2017

Oceanside  70.3 – 4:34 (9th)
Ironman Texas – 9:11 (8th)
Rest of year off due to pregnancy

2016

Oceanside 70.3 – 4:30 (9th)
Victoria 70.3 – 4:19 (2nd)
Coeur d’Alene 70.3 – 4:29 (3rd)
Calgary 70.3 – 4:15 (3rd)
Augusta 70.3 – 4:20 (2nd)
Los Cabos 70.3 – 4: 46 (9th)
Ironman Arizona – 8:57 (3rd)

2015

Shawnigan Lake Olympic – 2:12 (1st-AG)
Victoria 70.3 – 4:29 (1st- AG)
Great White North – 4:16 (1st-Pro)
Calgary 70.3 – 4:26 (2nd-Pro)
Challenge Penticton – 4:30 (5th-Pro)
Silverman 70.3 – 4:50 (7th – Pro)
Victoria Half Marathon – 1:15 (1st)

Win or Learn

Malindi is compiling a great selection of pro tips on her YouTube channel 'Win or Learn'.  Head over there and check it out now!

Visit Malindi on YouTube

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Sponsorship & Media Enquiries

For sponsorhip and media enquiries, please contact Malindi.