BackRoads Race Team
Every journey has an origin story.
Our vision is to empower our hardworking, local high-performance athletes, ensuring they thrive within a supportive ecosystem. We aim to create stronger connections with our broad and vibrant running community and the rich cultural running roots we are proud of here in London. This is a moment where dreamers and doers unite, sparking a movement that connects and inspires a community we wholeheartedly believe in. Together with BackRoads London, and powered by ASICS Canada, we’re building endurance with everyone—through a Sound Mind, Sound Body.
As we push ourselves on the track and on the roads, our impact will stretch beyond sport. We are dedicated to making a difference that transcends far beyond competition.
Living and training in London, Ontario, our group of athletes are driven to pursue excellence—on and off the track. Each member brings something unique to the team, contributing to the strength and spirit of our collective and shared mission.
We’re excited to share this journey with you and be connected with yours.
#MoveYourMindWithASICS #SoundMindSoundBody
Coming Soon in 2025
- Athlete racing schedule—track, road and cross-country.
- Active in the community, including participation in BackRoads London events, group runs, and local philanthropic initiatives.
- ASICS collaborated events, featuring product launches, demo nights, and special events, such as Move Her Mind, on International Women’s Day.
- Lead-up events for the Forest City Road Races, Toronto Waterfront Marathon weekend & more.
- A behind-the-scenes look at training, overcoming challenges, celebrating personal and team triumphs, and inspiring others to move with us.
Meet Our Team
PHIL PARROT-MIGAS
Phil is a seasoned Canadian distance runner with over 20 years of competitive experience, originally on the track but now focused primarily on road racing. A five-time national team member, Phil has had the honor of representing Team Canada in both the half marathon and cross-country disciplines. Outside of training and racing, he works full-time at Race Roster, an ASICS-owned online registration platform, where his deep industry knowledge and passion for the sport shine through.
Phil’s dedication to running is matched by his love of plant-based cooking and a good cup of coffee. Having fuelled his body with plants for over eight years, he finds joy in preparing homemade meals from scratch, combining his passion for nutrition and culinary creativity. For Phil, running isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life.
RACE FOCUS: Road (10K - Marathon)
PERSONAL BESTS: 10K – 29:02 | ½ Marathon – 63:48 | Marathon – 2:13:24
JENNA SCHULZ
Jenna is a passionate physiotherapist and postdoctoral fellow who discovered her stride in running while navigating the demands of completing a PhD. What began as a stress-relief outlet quickly transformed into a driving force in her career, fueling her dedication to the world of endurance sports.
Today, Jenna blends her expertise in research and clinical practice to advocate for the health and performance of female athletes. Her mission is to enhance female athlete health across the lifespan, promoting longevity in sport through awareness, education, and accessible care.
RACE FOCUS: Track (1500m - 5,000m), Road (5K)
PERSONAL BESTS: 5,000m – 16:52 | 1500m – 4:30
CONNOR BLACK
Connor turned to running when his ambitions to play pro hockey slowly sizzled out in high school and needed a new outlet to channel his endless energy and love for competition. He followed this passion to the University of Guelph, where he helped the Gryphs capture both Team and Individual USports titles.
Growing up running down the side-roads surrounding his hometown of Forest, Ontario, has bred a love and natural instinct for racing cross-country. He has represented Canada at the last four international competitions, and earned an individual Canadian cross-country crown.
Outside of logging endless miles, Connor is a secondary school Teacher in London and cross-country and track coach. He enjoys strong espresso, new england IPA’s, podcast walks, his orthopedic pillow and unfiltered conversation.
Currently, Connor is focused on translating his success on the grass to the 5,000m and 10,000m on the track. Of more importance, Connor is enjoying training and everything that follows.
RACE FOCUS: Track (5,000m), Cross-Country
PERSONAL BESTS: 5,000m – 13:38 | 1500m – 3:43
ASHLEY MAGUIRE
Ashley is a dedicated and ambitious distance runner from LaSalle, Ontario, currently pursuing her Master of Management in Applied Science. Specializing in distances ranging from 800m to 5,000m on the track, Ashley has competed at both the NCAA and USports levels, representing Bradley University and the University of Western Ontario.
Last year, Ashley earned First Team All-Canadian honours and played a key role in helping UWO secure a USports Championship title in cross-country. Driven by a love for racing and the camaraderie of the running community, Ashley continually embraces new challenges, pushing her limits while inspiring others along the way.
Looking ahead, Ashley is committed to a future in healthcare, aspiring to become a dentist, all while continuing to pursue her passion for running both on the track and on the roads.
RACE FOCUS: Track (800m - 5,000m)
PERSONAL BESTS: 5,000m – 16:28 | 1500m – 4:28
MARCEL SCHEELE
Marcel's passion for running began at a young age, influenced by his mother, an avid road racer who would bring him and his six siblings along to races. While he wasn’t initially enamored with the sport, Marcel enjoyed the competitive thrill of seeing if he could win his age category. Growing up in a family where activity was a priority, he spent his winters playing hockey, embracing his Canadian roots, and his summers playing soccer, a true reflection of his Dutch heritage. This well-rounded athleticism laid the foundation for his success in cross-country and track, sports he continued to excel in throughout his school years.
Though he kept playing hockey and soccer up until Grade 11, Marcel eventually decided to pursue his true passion—running. He is now in his final year of eligibility with the cross-country and track teams at the University of Western Ontario, where he’s been a dedicated member throughout his time there. Marcel holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and is currently attending teacher’s college, with a focus on shaping his future both in education and athletics.
RACE FOCUS: Track (5,000m, 1500m, Steeplechase), Cross Country
PERSONAL BESTS: 5,000m – 14:23 | 1500m – 3:44 | 3000m Steeplechase – 9:02
CHARLOTTE PROUSE
Charlotte is a two-time NCAA runner-up in the steeplechase and a seven-time Division I All-American. She was part of the 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championship team and holds the U20 Western Hemisphere record in the steeplechase. A four-time Team Canada member, she holds a Master of Science in Public Health & Community Health Education. Currently, Charlotte works as a Behavior Specialist at Nshwaasnangong CCFC. Her ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games.
RACE FOCUS: Track (3,000mSC - 5,000m), Road (5K - 10K)
PERSONAL BESTS: 3,000mSC – 9:34 | 5,000m – 15:24 | 10,000m – 32:38
CAM PROCEVIAT
Cam is a self-proclaimed late bloomer who made his mark in the world of track and field as a walk-on athlete at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Having been a multi-sport competitor in high school, he often relied on his speed to out run his opponents, compensating for any lack of technical skill. But once he found his stride in running, there was no turning back.
Today, Cam is the current Indoor Mile Canadian Record Holder and qualified for a spot in the semi-finals at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, competing in the 1500m. With his eyes set on new challenges, he’s eager to explore the world of road and trail running while continuing to compete at the highest level on the track.
Previously living in Vancouver, Cam recently relocated to London, Ontario, and is sure to remind everyone of his west coast roots. Outside of athletics, he’s pursuing his medical residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, balancing the demands of his career and his passion for running.
RACE FOCUS: Track (1500m - 5,000m)
PERSONAL BESTS: 1500m – 3:36 | Mile – 3:52 | 5,000m – 13:53
SHANNEN MURRAY
Shannen first laced up her running shoes for elementary school cross-country, and has never looked back. While competing on the Queen’s University varsity cross-country team, Shannen embraced running as a team sport, a mentality she now carries into road racing. Despite facing challenges over her many years of competitive running, Shannen’s commitment to consistency has led to her fastest and happiest season yet—breaking personal records and rediscovering her love for racing.
Shannen credits running and training at BackRoads with bringing her a sense of peace and introducing her to some of the best people she knows. In her professional life as a physiotherapist, she understands the vital role movement plays in overall health and is inspired by seeing people of all ages participate in community events. In both running and life, Shannen believes in celebrating the small victories while relentlessly pursuing the big ones.
RACE FOCUS: Road (½ Marathon - Marathon)
PERSONAL BESTS: 10K – 35:56 | ½ Marathon – 1:16:38
JEREMY COUGHLER
Jeremy has been running since a young age, competing across a range of events and distances throughout high school. He went on to race at the NCAA level for Indiana University and has continued to excel in his post-collegiate career. In 2017, he represented Canada at the Francophone Games in Ivory Coast.
In 2023, Jeremy won the Canadian 10,000m Track Championship and earned third place in both the 2023 and 2024 Canadian 10K Road Championships. Now focused on road 10Ks and the half marathon, he balances his training with his career as a chiropractor.
Jeremy currently resides in London with his wife, Emma, and their one-year-old son, Otto.
RACE FOCUS: Track (5,000m - 10,000m), Road (5K - ½ Marathon)
PERSONAL BESTS: 5,000m – 13:33 | 10,000m – 28:28
