Paula Burchat, BA, RMT, SMT(C)

Before becoming Laurel’s Mom, Paula was an avid runner and had completed several 100 mile, 100K, and various shorter ultra distance races and marathons. She won the Haliburton Forest 100 miler in 2006 and the Canadian 100K Championships in 2003. Paula also represented Canada at the 2007 and 2008 100K World Championships in Europe. In additional to her ultrarunning career, she completed the Rudy Award in 2002 (Great Floridian Triathlon, Keskinada Loppet, Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour, Winterlude Triathlon and a marathon) and several adventure races. Currently, Paula instructs the training group for Run Ottawa Club, primarily for the half and full marathon distances. An active volunteer at local races, Paula also is a member of the organizing committee for Run Ottawa Club and sits on the Executive of the Canadian Sport Massage Therapist’s Association (CSMTA).

After 5 years of dedicated work, Paula achieved her certification as a Sport Massage Therapist or SMT(C) through the CSMTA. She has regularly treated developing junior athletes and national team members at the Ottawa Lions Track club. As a member of Athletics Canada’s Health Care Team, Paula has travelled to the NACAC Cross Country Championships and worked at training camps for the national sprints and relay teams under the direction of Coach Glenroy Gilbert. Branching out in to other arenas, Paula worked with the Beaver Boxing Club from 2007-2008 and travelled as the team therapist for Ontario to the 2007 National Boxing Championships in Richmond, BC. She also organized the medical teams for the National Track and Field Championships in 2006 and the Ontario Track and Field Championships from 2006 to 2008. Paula has treated elite athletes at the Ottawa Marathon and FINA Aquatic World Championships as well as volunteered her Massage Therapy services at the Run for a Cure, Ottawa Lions Twilight Track Meets, and other local events.