Beginner 5K
8-week plan focused on confidence, consistency, and injury prevention.
About Our Group
Runners With Heart is a supportive post-cardiac-rehab community born from UHN’s cardiac rehabilitation program. Led by program graduates and inspired by Dr. Paul Oh, the group meets regularly to walk, run, ride, and connect, with new rehab graduates invited to join. It blends gentle exercise, social support, and heart-health awareness, helping members stay active, monitor progress, and thrive after a cardiac event.
Training Programs
10K Training
12-week progression with pace sessions, long runs, and recovery support.
Heart-Healthy Walk/Run
Low-impact group sessions designed for active recovery and wellness goals.
Upcoming Events
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We Walk UHNITED
Date: May 30, 2026
Location: Toronto General Hospital, 201 Elizabeth St.
Details: Accessible 2 km and 5 km route for walkers, rollers, and all abilities. Celebration site opens at 8:00am and the walk begins at 9:30am.
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Track Meet
Date: June 11, 2026
Location: Rumsey Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
Rehab Peer Support Groups
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Graduates of cardiac rehab programs have the opportunity to maintain their healthy living prescriptions with the help of other graduates in peer support groups. There are two groups that started at the Rumsey Road Rehab Centre that currently meet virtually (using zoom) every month.
The Cardiac Healthy Living Peer Support Group meets on the third Tuesday, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Another, the Stress Reduction Graduate Group, meets on the third Thursday from 1:30 to 2:00.
At the meetings, a portion of time is set for sharing information on resources for managing our health and other topics of interest. Most of the meeting is for each person to share how they are keeping up with managing their health and wellbeing—exercising, walking/running, weight resistance, diet, managing stress.
All sharing is in confidence. The aim is to be free to express concerns that we might have and find support in this group because we have similar lived experiences.
If you would like more information or to join the Tuesday evening group, contact Emil Boychuk, emil.boychuk@gmail.com or call 416-476-8790. For the Thursday afternoon group, contact Lee Schacter, sschacter@rogers.com.
News & Stories
Jeff Hohner Runs With Heart
August 1, 2024
Local runner Jeff Hohner recovered from a cardiac event and triple bypass surgery with the help of UHN's cardiac rehab program. He now champions a peer-led Runners With Heart group that combines exercise, education and social connection for heart health.
Alumni Spotlight: Ross Durant '51
November 30, 2021
Ross Durant, age 88, runs 5K five times per week after a heart attack and cardiac rehab. His story highlights how consistency, community support and the Runners With Heart group help people stay active after heart disease.
Learn more about heart health:
Online Resources
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Cardiac College by Health e-UniversityPractical heart recovery resources, self-management tips, and education for people living with cardiac conditions.
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UHN Heart Health Life ProgramInformation on heart-healthy living, exercise, nutrition, and ongoing support after cardiac rehabilitation.
YouTube Channels
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Health-e UniversityOnline university made by the UHN Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation Program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. Health e-University is a source of reliable health information that you can access across the world. It includes two colleges - CardiacCollege.ca and DiabetesCollege.ca. These colleges can help you learn about heart disease and diabetes, how your medicines work and help you, and how to make lifestyle changes to take control of your health.
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Heart Health for Life
The Cardiac Rehab Alumni Channel features health and patient education videos and playlists curated by the Heart Health for Life Team. The Channel offers free live webcasts and recordings of Take C.H.A.R.G.E. lectures for Cardiac Rehab Alumni and their families. The Heart Health for Life and Take C.H.A.R.G.E. programs are leading contributors to the success of the UHN Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation Program in supporting Cardiac Rehab Alumni with easily accessible education, exercise, peer support and self-management resources, events and activities.
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The HERACLES StudyHERACLES Health Webinars offers health webinars and educational resources for cardiac rehabilitation and heart health. The HERACLES Study, a five-year initiative by the University Health Network's KITE Research Institute, is tracking 1,000 cardiovascular disease patients to analyze how continuous Apple Watch data, such as heart rate and activity, correlates with long-term clinical health outcomes. By combining this consumer wearable data with in-clinic medical checkups, the research aims to establish trusted models for remote monitoring and personalized cardiac rehabilitation. Read more at UHN.
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University of Ottawa Heart InstituteCanada's largest and foremost heart health centre dedicated to understanding, treating, and preventing heart disease