Patrice Frenette
Achieving Your Goals Takes Grit
By Donald Wade
On February 2, 2025, on a sunny but bitterly cold winds, I met Patrice Frenette at the 448th Demi-Marathon de l’Acadie. It was his first time running this race, and he stunned everyone by finishing second overall with a time of 1:32:36. After the race, as runners gathered indoors to warm up and celebrate,
Patrice shared something truly remarkable—his before-and-after photo (see below). The transformation was staggering, and as he spoke about how running had changed his life, I knew his story had to be told. He agreed, not for recognition, but with the hope of inspiring others.
Just four years ago, Patrice was battling serious health issues. He was overweight, burdened with high blood pressure, and suffering from diverticulitis—an inflammation of the colon that had tormented him for seven years. Eventually, he underwent surgery to remove a foot of his colon. It was a wake-up call. Something had to change.
Running wasn’t something he ever imagined himself doing. The idea of pounding the pavement seemed impossible, even laughable. But he had two reasons to push forward: his health and his children. “My health was the first reason,” Patrice admits, “but more than that, I wanted to show my kids that quitting is never an option when life gets hard. I wanted them to see that setting goals and working relentlessly to achieve them is what truly matters—whether it’s running a marathon, excelling in school, or earning a promotion at work.”
Like many new runners, Patrice struggled at first. He vividly remembers the early days when every step felt like torture. “I thought I was going to die on the side of the road,” he laughs. But little by little, things changed. Every mile, no matter how short, became a victory. “I could barely run 5K four years ago,” he reflects. “But in 2024, I ran my first marathon at Legs for Literacy.”
Patrice didn’t embark on this journey alone. He was inspired and encouraged by seasoned runners like Allan Lagacé and Lee Roy, whose reputations in the running community speak for themselves. Over time, he found his tribe—a close-knit group of five runners who train together in the early morning hours. “When the alarm goes off at 4:45 AM, I don’t want to get up,” he admits. “But knowing my friends are out there waiting for me gets me moving.”
Despite a minimal cross-training routine—just some strength training and stretching—Patrice has achieved astonishing results. His race times are a testament to his dedication:
- 2023 - 10KM Chaleur: 44:15
- 2023 - Legs for Literacy Half Marathon: 1:42:23
- 2024 - 10KM Chaleur: 43:53
- 2024 - Legs for Literacy Marathon: 3:30:13
- 2025 - Demi-Marathon de l’Acadie: 1:31:36
But numbers only tell part of the story. The moment that means the most to Patrice, finishing his first full marathon on October 6, 2024. “I had five diverticulitis flare-ups during training, one so bad it landed me in the hospital for five days,” he recalls. “But I pushed through and crossing that finish line was unforgettable.”
Since lacing up his running shoes for the first time, Patrice has lost 50 pounds, crushed every goal he set for himself, and built a life of discipline and perseverance. When asked about the best decision he’s ever made, he doesn’t hesitate. “Besides getting married and having kids? Running.”
His advice for anyone thinking of starting? He echoes the words of Lee Roy and his father, words that have guided him from the beginning: “You can find 100 excuses not to do it, but it only takes one to do it. Don’t try to find excuses—find solutions.”
Today, Patrice Frenette lives in Bathurst with his wife, Anne, and their two children, Samuel and Sara-Ève.
His journey is far from over, but one thing is certain—he will keep running, not just for himself, but to inspire those who believe their own transformation is out of reach.