Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
“We were like, ‘Wow, did they make a mistake. Did they send out like a wrong email,’” Kim said with a laugh.
The 30-year-old Toronto athletes ended up becoming Canada’s top two female finishers at the race, which was held on April 15.
Michelle finished the race in two hours, 38 minutes, and 23 seconds, just minutes ahead of her sister, who ran the race in two hours, 40 minutes, and 50 seconds.
The pair ended up 23rd and 26th among female runners at the storied race.
“We were running together for 17 miles. So more than half of the race, we were side by side,” Michelle told CP24.com in an interview this week.
Kim and Michelle Krezonoski are seen running the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024. (Supplied)
The race was Kim’s third marathon and Michelle’s second.
“Just looking back at it, it was really special… to just make it there, also to make it there together, and then to represent Canada,” Michelle said.
The twins were among about 60 women who competed in the pro field, including winner Hellen Obiri, who won the women’s division with a time of two hours, 22 minutes, and 37 seconds. The sisters were also the first twins in the marathon’s history to compete in the women’s pro field.
Kim said at one point before the start of the race, her sister turned to her and asked, “How did this hobby get out of hand?”
“We’re sitting here with like Hellen Obiri and Emma Bates and all these women… like that's their job, that's their day job,” Kim said. “And we're working 9 to 5.”
Kim and Michelle Krezonoski are pictured above after running the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024. (Supplied)
Kim and Michelle grew up just outside of Thunder Bay but later relocated to Toronto.
“We never thought that from Thunder Bay, running on dirt roads out in Shuniah Township that we would be lining up at the Boston Marathon with world class athletes and belong there,” Kim said.
The pair said they fell in love with running at a young age and continued on with it throughout college.
After a four-year hiatus, both revisited the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were looking for routine, like a lot of people were during the pandemic, and turned to running again,” Michelle said.
“Especially the times when there was lockdowns for extended periods of times, it kept some normality and we do both thrive on routine.”
When working on what they describe as a “marathon build,” the sisters typically squeeze in a run before work and one after, along with some strength training over the lunch hour.
“When we're training together, we really bring each other up in terms of motivation (and) energy,” Kim said.
Kim and Michelle Krezonoski are seen running the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2024. (Supplied)
The Boston Marathon is one of six World Marathon Majors and both women say they hope to tick all six of them off of their lists at some point in the future.
The sisters also said they have their sights set on the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
“It would be so special if we’re there together,” Kim said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Celine Dion stages comeback with performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Paris Olympics kicks off with ambitious but rainy opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn $146,000 for water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.