University of Guelph’s track and field program has been developing some of the top distance runners in Canada for decades, and one athlete looking to be next in line is Max Davies. The 20-year-old from Toronto has been a dominant runner at every level, and his 2024 indoor season saw his performances skyrocket, making him the 75th Canadian to run a sub-four-minute mile. Now, with the cross-country season on the horizon, Davies is aiming for nothing short of gold.
Davies had an unconventional post-collegiate path; he headed to Iona University in New Rochelle, N.Y. to compete in the NCAA, but found himself back in Canada after his first year. “In the height of COVID, I couldn’t do recruitment visits at any schools, and Iona ended up not being the best fit for me,” says Davies.
He transferred to the University of Guelph in 2022, where he was reunited with head endurance coach, Terry Radchenko. The pair had overlapped while training with Toronto Track Club. “The way Terry trains works for me–being injury-free is most important,” says Davies.
In his second year at Guelph, Davies took silver at the 2023 OUA XC Championships but was hungry to show off his fitness after falling short of his goals that season at U Sports. In January, he ran his first-ever sub-four-minute mile, clocking 3:59.24 to become the 75th person to sneak under the barrier–he was only getting started. By the end of the indoor season, Davies held four school records (1,000, 1,500m, mile and 4x800m relay), two OUA championship records, two U Sports championship records and the overall 1,000m collegiate record. The third-year management student was named OUA Athlete of the Year, and was one of eight athletes across Canada to be nominated for U Sports Athlete of the Year.
“I didn’t expect that track season [success] coming off cross-country. I tried not to overthink anything–I just showed up, did the workouts and stayed consistent,” he admits.
At the start of the 2024 outdoor season, after an incredible 1,500m season opener of 3:39 at Sound Running Invite in California, a devastated Davies found himself with the same bad luck. He was forced to sit out and focus on recovery–for the second outdoor season in a row.
“All I could do was forget about it and move my focus to the next goal. I was putting in so many hours cross-training or in the pool–I had to keep myself motivated,” Davies says.
Davies’ goals as a runner don’t end with varsity track and cross-country. The athlete is set on becoming a professional runner first, and then, of course, an Olympian. “I want to be in an Olympic final, and even make a go for a medal,” Davies admits. “I also want to represent Canada at the world championships, and everything in between. Continuously working to better myself takes me closer to those goals.”
The lack of funding for Canadian track athletes has been a significant challenge for Davies, as well as many other elite runners. Balancing a job and summer classes while maintaining intense training has been exhausting. “The harsh reality is that more funding means better access to facilities, treatment, and gear—all essential for staying injury-free,” says Davies. “I’m trying to perform at a high level against competitors who have that financial support, which puts me at a disadvantage.”
Davies says he’ll continue to keep a positive mindset, stack the training days, have fun, and stay consistent throughout the season. The field is deep this year; numerous competitors across Canada are contenders for the individual win. When it comes down to the final competition, Davies knows he has to give it his all. “Whoever can hurt the most will win—I have to want it more than the other guys,” he says. “I’m not here to lose.”
