“I like getting to improve my times and obviously winning,” said Sawyer Nicholson back in 2023 after shattering the world record for the fastest 5K by an 11-year-old. She crossed the finish line in 17:28.1, narrowly eclipsing Grace Ping’s 17:28.3 record set in 2015. After her win, the young athlete said, “Who doesn’t like winning?” Years have passed, but Sawyer’s ability to astonish the track and field world hasn’t faded. Just months ago, the young athlete broke the Ontario U16 record, and now she has made a comeback with a bang, this time with a cause.

Toronto’s streets buzzed with energy as the 16th annual Constantine Yorkville Run kicked off, a 5K showdown where speed, style, and heart collide. Among 12,000 participants, one name quietly stole the spotlight: 13-year-old Sawyer Nicholson, who clocked a blazing 17:17. At the Yorkville Run, she shattered all of the expectations as she finished 4th overall in the women’s race. Her pace of 3:28 per kilometer placed her among Canada’s elite distance runners, including Olympian Julie-Anne Staehli.

Well, this year, the event was organized in a way that is expected to raise a total of $1 million for over 30 local charities. This year’s run wasn’t just about crossing the finish line but was for the greater good. It was about making every step count for the causes. The UHN Foundation’s Centre for Living Organ Donation, Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto, Breast Cancer Canada, and Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter will be receiving their donations from the race.

Winning the event was secondary for the athletes; raising funds and enjoying the experience were the primary goals, and the 13-year-old certainly took it all in fully. At the starting line, as the crowd cheered, the 13-year-old beamed, sharing smiles with both the spectators and her fellow runners. Across the finish line, she celebrated her run, yet cheered on those still chasing their goals.

Back in March at the Ontario U16 & U20 Championships, representing Durham Dragons Athletics, Nicholson surged past rivals Niamh Richards and Addy Rudling to claim first place in the 2000m, clocking an impressive 6:23.72 and shattering the Ontario U16 record. Her streak of excellence continued in July at the Ontario U14, U16, U18 Track & Field Championships, where she once again delivered a stellar performance, crossing the finish line in 6:23.83 to secure victory. In Toronto too, Nicholson’s magic on the track showed no signs of slowing down.

When she received her medal, her grin wasn’t just for the win; it was for the spirit of the entire race. Well, even though she didn’t win the gold, she was happy with what she had achieved, a mentality that had been with her since 2022, and interestingly, her parents never thought she would be an athlete.

Sawyer Nicholson’s parents’ bizarre confession

After setting the record for the fastest 5K by an 11-year-old, Nicholson instantly caught the attention of the track and field world and her own parents. In a conversation with the media, her father, Levi Nicholson, admitted they never knew she would grow into an athlete of this caliber. “We didn’t actually think she was going to be an athlete. It wasn’t until she was seven and she got involved in soccer that we started to notice,” he said

When the pandemic sidelined her soccer dreams, Sawyer laced up her running shoes instead. With her coach Ahjton Roberts cheering her on and a family of athletes leading the way. She found a new rhythm that felt entirely her own. She first began running with her parents, preferably in shorter distances, and then worked her way up to 3K and then 4K runs. Joking about the hubbub, her father stated, “Then I couldn’t keep up anymore, and I now ride my bike beside her.”

Talking about her performance, Sawyer stated, “When I’m on the starting line getting ready for the gun to go off, I’m like, can you please start? I’m just like, the suspense is killing me. But then when the gun goes, I don’t really think about much, I’m just like I got to get out.” Well, the athlete continues to achieve new milestones, and it’s just a matter of time before she is placed among the greats to participate in the championships, and who knows, she might make an appearance at the 2028 LA Olympics.