For a person with a tireless work ethic, you have to wonder where Metrolinx President & CEO Phil Verster finds his energy. When you consider what he spends some of his time doing outside of work, it only raises the question further.

Phil completed his third half marathon on Sunday, a 21 kilometre trek, which began at Mel Lastman Square in North York and made its way down to Ontario Place.

Phil has long been passionate about running. He’s been making his way around the Toronto since he started visiting during the CEO interview process.

“I enjoy seeing the city and getting a sense of where everything is,” he said. “I especially enjoy the run from downtown to the beaches or up the Don Valley ravine system.”

Originally from South Africa, Phil has since spent time working in England, Scotland and Ireland. He moved to Canada and joined Metrolinx in October, 2017.

Phil plans to complete 10 half marathons before November of this year in support of United Way. His journey began by running, with his wife Carol, the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon last fall. The second was a MEC Toronto Road Race on April 8. He also did the CN Tower Climb back in November.

“Toronto is a beautiful city and there is so much diversity in the neighbourhoods and the people,” he said. “It is a great place to run.”

His next planned half marathon will take place at Confederation Park in Hamilton on Saturday, May 19th.

If you’d like to help support Phil’s efforts to aid the United Way of Greater Toronto and read why he’s chosen to do so, you can visit his donation page here.