Twins who topped Canadian females at Boston Marathon began running on northern Ontario dirt roads

Kim and Michelle Krezonoski started their running careers on the dirt camp roads of Shuniah Township near Thunder Bay, Ont.

This week, the 30-year-old twins crossed the finish line to become Canada's top two female Boston Marathon finishers.

In their first Boston event, Michelle completed the 42.2-kilometre race in 2 hours 38 minutes and 23 seconds (2:38:23). Kim was just a couple of minutes behind her with a time of 2:40:50. Hellen Obiri of Kenya successfully defended her title, becoming the first woman to win back to back since 2005.

Michelle and Kim are are from northwestern Ontario but now live in Toronto.

"That's a rare opportunity to have your twin sister line up with you at a world major in the pro field," said Michelle.

There were about 30,000 participants, including over 1,500 Canadians, from over 100 countries in the 128th Boston Marathon, the world's oldest and among the six World Marathon Majors.

The race, held April 15, was Michelle's second ever marathon and Kim's third. 

As they were escorted from their accommodations by police to a coach bus, hotel staff lined the hallway to cheer them on before they were driven to the start line.

"I had tears in my eyes because I realized how much this race means to the city, how much that we've worked to get into that field and then to board a coach bus with some of the best athletes in the world," said Kim.

"To think that we came from somewhere without street lights in the middle of northern Ontario is really cool," Michelle added.

"This is one of those moments you'll always remember for the rest of your life."

The sisters have early memories of track meets and fun runs in Thunder Bay. Their first big road race was the city's annual Ten Mile Road Race in 2018.

"It was