Cecilia Cornelissen O'Neill

Originally from Williamstown, Cecilia Cornelissen O’Neill has set numerous track and field records, has run marathons including Boston and has travelled world-wide representing the sport. She attended Char-Lan District High School where she was first from the school to qualify for OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association) in track and cross-country. She set records in the 1500 and 300 meter runs and participated in her first marathon in Montreal. She then went on to Queen’s University to study physical and health education. While there, she excelled further in her running and travelled to England to represent Canada. In 1986 at the age of 19 she attended the Canadian National Championship. She then moved to Bishop’s University where she received her teaching certificate. The World Masters competitor has opened a personal training business with four running groups, is a Tabata boot camp instructor and has received grants to get children involved in sports. Cornelissen O’Neill is now heading north to Janvier, Alberta, a remote First Nations community near Fort McMurray. There she will continue to instil the healthy and athletic lifestyle she believes comes from her roots and life in Glengarry.