Runners get ready to race! The first half-marathon of the season is fast approaching. This year the The Saskatoon Police Half Marathon is being held on May 7.
This is a great opportunity for competitive runners to test out their fitness coming off the long winter season. It's also an event catered to runners of all levels, and ages, so everyone is welcome!
In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Sgt. Wade Bourassa to learn more about this year's event.
Q&A with Sgt. Wade Bourassa
Tara: The Saskatoon Police Half Marathon has become a go-to race for a lot of runners in and around Saskatoon. What do you think it is about the event that's made it a success?
Sgt. Bourassa: For the eighth year, the Saskatoon Police Service Foundation Half Marathon has been the first timed race of the season. The course has always been as interesting as it is beautiful. We have tried to make those people new to running, or who are doing their first 5K also feel welcome. We have done this by making the focus of our event about our community and the importance of mental and physical health. So in the end it has been the people running and volunteering who have made it a success.
Tara: This is timed event, which means it's great for more serious runners, but it's also for people of all activity levels. Would you speak a little bit about the diversity of participants, and why it's important for the event to be accessible to as many people as possible?
Sgt. Bourassa: This year again we will have runners who could win the Saskatchewan Marathon, people from as far away as New York and as young as 10 years-old take part. The Saskatoon Police Service Foundation have sponsored 130 kids who are training with the Start2Finish program here in Saskatoon. The kids will take part in the 5K event and have been training for months as they equally commit to their reading skills. There will also be a group of SuperKidz from Milestones Occupational Therapy for Children also running the 5K. The SuperKidz are an inspirational bunch who will be taking on a challenge that they will remember for the rest of their life.
Runners making their way along the Saskatchewan River at the 2016 Saskatoon Half Marathon. Photo Supplied
Tara: How do the funds raised by this event directly impact policing in the city?
Sgt. Bourassa: The Saskatoon Police Service Foundation Half Marathon proceeds will be in support of Project Lifesaver. Almost daily in Saskatoon we hear reports of missing people who wander away and become lost due to symptoms of dementia, alzheimers, or other cognitive conditions. Searches cost valuable time and resources, not to overlook the stress experienced by anxious family members. Project Lifesaver is a proven resource that provides valuable assistance in finding loved ones who are lost.
The Saskatoon Police Service Foundation welcomes this opportunity to fundraise to support the work of the Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Search & Rescue as well as Fire and Ambulance Services who are also often involved in these searches.
The fundraising goal is $20,000. The money will be used to provide life saving equipment and training needed to get Project Lifesaver operational. We encourage you to visit the Saskatoon Police Service Foundation website and help be a part of this great program by making a tax-deductible donation.
Donations may also be made by sending a cheque to: Box 1102 Saskatoon, SK S7K 3N2 Please indicate that the donation is in support of "Project Lifesaver". The Foundation welcomes this opportunity to contribute to a project that will improve safety in our community.
Tara: Are there any changes, or anything in particular you're excited about for the 2017 event?
Sgt. Bourassa: This year we are again happy to offer great race shirts and a newly designed medals for 5K, 10K and 21.1K runners. We are excited this year that Panago Pizza will be there to provide maybe the best post-race food anywhere. We will have for the first time post run Yoga sessions to stretch you out and first-come, first-serve massage from Kaizen Massage.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Beads of Courage Colour Fun Run
This is a fun family run with 100% of proceeds going to Beads of Courage programming and helps support sick kids in Saskatchewan. Register you and your family today; kids 10 and under are free. Don't delay, this event sells out! To register go to www.colourrunsask.ca.
Running for Hope - Running Clinic
Come join coaches Tarrant Cross Child, and Harvey and Karon Mathies at Big River Bible Camp on May 5 - May 7 for a fun and informative running clinic. You'll be situated on lakefront property and surrounded by fantastic running trails. All levels of runners are encouraged to sign join in!
Meals, accommodations, a 10 minute massage, and swag bag are all included in the clinic fee of $175. This is a fundraiser for Hopes Home, so come on out and support this much-needed organization while getting off the pavement and enjoying the natural terrain!
For more information. or to register please call Kim Shadlock: 306-724-7088.
Brainsport Spring Run Off
Come run along beautiful Diefenbaker Lake with friends, family and fellow walkers and runners. This year's Spring Run Off is being held on May 13, and features a time 5K and 10K race. Don't let the timing fool you though, this is not an event for just those serious runners. The entire day is aimed at providing a good time for everyone! For more information and to register click here.
Saskatchewan Marathon
The 2017 Saskatchewan Marathon event is being held on the weekend of May 28, with race distance options for all levels of runners. This premier event, put on by the SRRA, is known as one of the provinces best racing events of the year!
Jason Warick and Tarrant Crosschild will be this year's speakers at the Saskatchewan Marathon Pasta Dinner. Journey with Tarrant and his coach, Jason, through the lows and highs of their running careers, from the red dirt trails of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley to the ice- covered roads of northern Saskatchewan. Along the way, they found meaning in their running. For more information and to register click here.
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EY River Run Classic
The EY River Run Classic, organized by the Saskatoon Road Runners Association, is being held in Saskatoon on Sunday, July 9. The event consists of a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, with the 10K race being part of the Saskatchewan Athletics Road Race Series. It is a great route along the South Saskatchewan River. For those of you who will not be entering the race, please consider volunteering (volunteers can contact Nancy Milhousen
Canada Goose 150 Race
This one-time only, no-pressure distance running event is being held on June 24 and 25 in Wascana Park in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. There's something for everyone at this fun-inspired event. Choose from 150-minute run to a 150K run, with plenty of other options in between. For more information click here.
Canada 150 Ultramarathon
Celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary by taking on this unique ultra marathon traversing the Canadian Shield. The event will be held on July 1 at Falcon Lake, Manitoba (race starts at Great Falls). Run the 150 solo, or get a team together to participate in the relay! For more information go to http://canada150ultra.com/registration/,
Breath Move Be Yoga - Spring Tune Up!
Starting on March 14 through May 16, Breath Move Be is offering runner specific youg at Namaskar Yoga Studio (615 2nd Avenue North). Cost is $120 if pre-registered. There will also be a $17 drop-in option if room in class. Pre-register by contacting
Virtual Pilates and Virtual Rides
For runners looking for some great recovery, strengthening, and cross-training options, Transition is now offering pilates and cycling from the comfort of your own home. These interactive live web-streamed classes are unique in that. if you choose to have your webcam Coach Carly can see you and correct technique and interact. For those with an at-home trainer Virtual Rides take place Sunday mornings. Click the here for more information.
Brainsport Shoe Donation Progtram
The Brainsport Shoe Donation Program has received a request for basketball shoes. If you have gently-used basketball shoes please consider dropping them off at the store for donation. They will go a long way in making sure no child is left sitting on the bench because they don't have proper footwear.
Triathlon Training
Transition Sport and Fitness is offering Distance Group, or Personalized Coaching for anyone wanting to take their swim, bike, or run training to the next level.
Visit www.transitionsportandfitness.ca for more info on all programs.
Product of the Week
Hickies
Turn any shoe into a slip on shoe! Hickies are a sleek, modern twist on old-school elastic quick laces. They work wonders in terms of providing lacing options for wide feet, narrow feet, or problem spots. Hickies are also a great option for triathlete look for a non-traditional lace.
Thanks for reading the Times this week . . gotta run . . .Tara