Edward Gregory

The Painter Who Runs Through Pain: The Story of Edward Gregory

He found running by accident. He stayed because it taught him how far discipline — and curiosity — can take you.

Every runner remembers their first real race — not just the one that put them on a starting line, but the one that stuck. For Edward Gregory, that moment came in 2022, when a friend invited him to fill a spot on a relay team for the Sinister Seven Ultra in Crowsnest Pass.

“I joined for fun,” he says. “But once I started training, I realized I loved it — the mental challenge, the grind, the solitude.”

That first race lit something inside him. “After I crossed the finish line, I was hooked,” Edward admits. “I craved that thrill of pushing myself, of seeing what I could do when it got uncomfortable.”

So when he decided to attend St. Mary’s University, and found out there was a cross-country team, the decision was immediate. “I knew I had to join,” he says. “It just felt right.”

Running came naturally, but not easily. The sport has a way of humbling even the most driven athletes. “The hardest challenge I’ve faced is realizing that not every race will be your best race,” Edward says. “I’m a competitive person, so falling short of a goal can be frustrating. But I’ve learned that consistency matters more than perfection. If I show up, train hard, and recover properly, I know I’m doing everything I can.”

It’s that mindset — calm under pressure, but quietly relentless — that defines him. On tough days, when fatigue creeps in or motivation fades, he resets with one question: Why do I run?

“I run to prove to myself that I can overcome whatever’s in front of me,” he says. “Whether it’s a steep hill, a bad day, or just my own doubt — running reminds me I can push through.”

But there’s another side to Edward that doesn’t show up in race stats or split times — a patient, meticulous artist. “Something most people wouldn’t expect about me is that I paint Warhammer figurines,” he says. “It’s relaxing. It’s a way to focus on the details — the tiny strokes, the color choices, the patience. It’s not that different from running, really. Both require precision, rhythm, and patience.”

It’s this balance — between intensity and calm — that makes him a unique presence on the Lightning team. He’s the kind of teammate who notices when someone’s struggling, who has the quiet confidence to steady others. “When my college career is done,” he says, “I hope I’m remembered as someone who inspired others to do their best — and as someone who made everyone feel welcome.”

In a sport that rewards pain tolerance and punishes ego, Edward Gregory has found something steadier — joy in the process, meaning in the challenge, and beauty in the small details.

He runs like he paints — carefully, purposefully, and with a quiet kind of artistry that leaves a lasting mark long after the race is done.