XACT Nutrition's Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon Launch Party at The Staircase

Join us at The Zoetic for the XACT Launch Party, including a 5K Shakeout, local documentary screenings and a panel discussion, and prizes! Come celebrate the power of running and community with XACT Nutrition's official launch party for the Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon! Join us for an exciting evening meant to prepare your body, mind and soul for an amazing weekend of running. In addition to an optional 5K Shakeout Run fueled by XACT Nutrition, we will be enjoying 3 Canadian short documentaries that highlight running and the running community in very unique ways: • Everyone Gets a Photo by Josh White: André Morgan is the run photographer who shows up to races, training runs, and community events to capture athletes of every level, not just the elites. This short documentary follows the story behind the lens: a passionate endurance runner and photographer dedicated to freezing the most meaningful race day moments — every stride, every finish, every personal victory. • Outrun the Darkness: a short documentary by Kosuke Maeda following John Shep’s monumental 142.2K Ultra-Double - completing both the Sulphur Springs 100K trail race and the Ottawa Marathon on consecutive days in May 2026, with the help of his family and runner brothers, Marvin Mendoza and Bernard Abarquez. Far more than a test of endurance running, this non-profit project celebrates John's 19-year journey of recovery from a mental health crisis and disordered eating. By intertwining raw race footage with deeply personal storytelling, the documentary raises vital awareness for mental health and recovery, delivering a powerful message: there is always a way out of the dark. • Until the Last Breath: learn about XACT Nutrition's own Pierre-Luc Cartier journey tackling extreme endurance challenges, all the while undergoing five open-heart surgeries, including three within ten days that left him near death. His is a story of perserverence, endurance and inspiration. Stay after the shows for a panel discussion with the documentary subjects and a surprise special guest appearance!!