YourSaskatoon Blogs

Following Brainsport's free Saturday morning run club this weekend, Brainsport will present the Ric Hanna Award to an athlete who has demonstrated leadership and made running more meaningful for fellow run club members. The presentation will take place in Brainsport's community room at 10 a.m. as part of a holiday celebration. Brainsport will provide some coffee and tea. Runners — please bring some dainties to share!  In other good news: Six-year-old Lucy Olynick loves her new shoes. The Gr. 1 student has been showing them off to her classmates since she bought them at Brainsport last month. The shoes are sparkly, which Lucy thinks is awesome. But what makes them really special is they have a zipper that allows the shoes to completely open up so Lucy can slide her feet in easily even though she wears ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs). Lucy was born with club feet and used to wear casts...

This week the Brainsport Times bids farewell to outgoing editor Tara Campbell, who has put out this weekly newsletter since the spring of 2015. Back then, Campbell had just left a job in daily news in Saskatoon when Brainsport owner Brian Michasiw asked her if she would take over the weekly newsletter. "The timing worked out well for me," Campbell recalls. "When Brian approached me about writing the Times, I thought it would be a great fit. I love to write and I love to run — it was an easy decision." Campbell now lives in Omaha, Nebraska and recently started a new reporting gig for the local NBC affiliate. "Life has become a whole lot busier," she said. "Simply put, it’s time to let go of the Times." This newsletter is now being edited by myself, Andrea Hill, in the moments when I'm not running or writing for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. I talked...

A new display installed at the University of Saskatchewan’s Physical Activity Complex (PAC) this fall is honouring the accomplishments of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous athletes. Stories and artifacts from nine Indigenous athletes who have been inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame are now featured in the second-floor display case and on a digital kiosk. Chad London, dean of the university’s College of Kinesiology, said the display answers one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, which calls on relevant organizations to provide public education that tells the national story of Indigenous athletes in history. One of the athletes honoured is Paul Acoose, from Sakimay First Nation in southeast Saskatchewan. He is best known for defeating Tom Longboat, who was then the world’s best marathon runner, in a 12-mile (19-kilometre) race in Toronto in 1910 that was dubbed the Redskin Running Championship of the World. Though Acoose was presented with...

We all know winters in Saskatoon can be painfully cold. Imagine not having the proper clothing to keep you warm - it's a tough thought to hold onto comfortably. In this week's Times we're going to bring some attention to a way you can help make those people in need a little warmer this season. Jan Stirling is here to tell us about the donation program she's set up this year. So let's get right to it! Q&A with Jan Stirling  Tara: Tell us a bit about how you got started in collecting socks for those in need, and how you've now transitioned over to other warm must-haves this year? Jan: The sock collection started last year with an appeal from the Lighthouse stating that socks were the number one clothing need for the homeless. This year The Bridge Fellowship on 20th Street, was asking for donations of mitts, scarves, gloves...

In this week's Times we have an exclusive interview with the Gingerbread Man from this year's Gingerbread Run 5K! In real life his name is Graham Wilson - and for a long time, he's dreamt about donning the Gingerbread Man suit. This year he got his chance - and he ran with it - upholding the Gingerbread Man's winning streak. There's lots to hear about from Graham, so let's get right to it!  Q&A with Graham Wilson Tara: What did it feel like to get the call asking you to be the Gingerbread Man for this year's 5K distance at the Gingerbread Run? Graham: I was extremely excited to be asked to run as the Gingerbread Man.  I'm friends with a few of the previous Gingerbread Men, and it's always been a goal of mine to qualify for this role myself.  I've just recently finished my season of cross country running with the University...

We're pleased to announce the PatTrick course is returning to the Brainsport Running Academy starting later this month. This unique course is led by longtime coach Pat Somerville, who is here to talk to us today about it. Before we get to our conversation with Pat, all the best to everyone participating in the Gingerbread Run this weekend - good luck catching that speedy Gingerbread Man! Q&A with Pat Somerville Tara: A lot of our readers will be familiar with your coaching, but for those who aren't can you tell us about yourself? Pat: For those who don’t know my coaching style; sign up...you will be shocked by how you progress. They will also be able to find themselves surrounded by a group of like-minded athletes that love not only the sport; but athletes that want to persevere and improve as well as share their knowledge and love of the sport. Tara: What...

This past weekend was a big one for local runners taking part in the New York City Marathon. Over the past two weeks, we've talked to a couple these local runners as they made final preparations for New York.  In this week's Q&A we're going to wrap up our coverage of the New York City Marathon with local runner Penny Bourassa. Penny is here to give us the scoop on her experience in New York, so let's get to it! Q&A with Penny Bourassa Tara: Before we get into hearing about your experience running the New York City Marathon, tell us about what brought you to this place in your running journey? Penny: My husband, Wade, and I used to train for and run marathons as a way to feel good, train/spend time together and travel to new places. We have taken a bit of a break from running marathons to...

Happy Haloween to everyone! Here's to a fun day of costumes, treats, and even some tricks! In this week'sTimes we're speaking with another local runner heading off to the New York City Marathon. This weekend Brian Pierce will lineup along with thousands of other runners to take to the streets of the city's five boroughs. We're going to catch with Brian next week when he returns to hear about his experience in New York, but first let's get to our conversation with him today! Q&A with Brian Pierce Tara: To start off, tell us what led to you taking up running. Brian: I took up running shortly before my 50th birthday. I had recently finished hiking the West Coast Trail with my 18-year-old daughter and was looking for another challenge. The ideas of running a marathon struck me as an equally challenging goal so I signed up for a training program....

f you're a runner in Saskatoon, you know there are some very inspiring stories to be found among those who weave the fabric of the community. In this week's Times we're speaking with one of those runners as he prepares to run the New York City Marathon on November 4. Dennis Furniss turned his health, and his life around by way of becoming a runner. He has a remarkable story and this week we get to hear some of it in our Q&A!Q&A with Dennis FurnissTara: Let's start by getting some background on your journey as a runner. You've been candid about being overweight and the role running played in bringing you to a healthy place. What got you started on your running journey? Dennis: My beautiful wife is my inspiration for running. I would take her to different races and thought it might be nice to join her on a 5K sometime. However, at 280lbs I...

In this week's Times we're pleased to be speaking with Chelsea Guebert of Summit Sport and Health. As a physical therapist, Chelsea has seen her fair share of runners who neglect strength work and she has some great insights, and tips to share with us today about staying strong and healthy. So, let's get right to it!Q&A with Chelsea Guebert Tara: With the colder weather hitting hard, a lot of runners will be cutting back their miles over the winter making it an excellent time to get into a strength training routine. Before we get into the details of this, can you explain why strength training is important for runners?Chelsea: Strength training is critical for runners to balance out muscle groups that are otherwise not addressed through the linear mechanics of their sport. Building strength around joints and surrounding ligaments not only plays a huge roll in the prevention of injury, but can also help to increase the overall efficiency of your running and training. The off-season training...

Access to Justice Week gets underway on October 22 at the U of S College of Law. You may ask, what does this have to do with the running community? Well, this year Just Rights, a student-led fundraising group at the College of Law, is putting on a 5K run to raise awareness and access to justice issues facing the legal community in the province. All the proceeds from the event will go to CLASSIC (Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City Inc.); making this event an opportunity for everyone who enjoys running or walking, to take part in influencing the local justice system. Michelle Brandsma, from the College of Law, is here to tell us all about the Run for Justice in this week's Q&A!Q&A with Michelle BrandsmaTara: Before we get talking about the event itself, tell us about the Justice Rights group, which is hosting the race. Michelle: Just Rights is a social justice advocacy group at...

We have a fun and informative event coming up this weekend at Brainsport! On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. we're hosting Brooks Run Signature Day. This is an opportunity to have your individual running style assessed using the Brooks Signature Run app. Here to tell us all about this event is Brainsport's Colin Federow, so let's get right to it! Q&A with Colin Federow Tara: Brooks is committed to making shoes that work for each individual runner, and getting each individual into the proper shoe. Tell us about how Brooks approaches the categorization of their shoes, and how that helps ensure the right fit for people. Colin: One of the core beliefs at Brooks is that they “make the best running gear in the world.” And boy do they deliver! Our friends that are walkers might argue they make the best walking gear in the world too! Brooks has four main categories of shoes:...

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Queen City Marathon over this past weekend! Hopefully, you're all encouraged to keep lacing up those running shoes as we move into this colder weather. In this week's Q&A we're shifting gears a bit to learn more about the Special Olympics Canada youth programs here in Saskatoon. Jana Bassingthwaite is a local volunteer with the Special Olympics and she's here to tell us all about the youth programs offered in Saskatoon! Q&A with Jana Bassingthwaite Tara: Let's start with a little a brief overview of what Special Olympics Canada offers through its youth programs. What can you tell us about the programs? Jana: Special Olympics Canada offers child and youth programs to help young athletes with diverse abilities develop basic motor skills and sport skills through fun and positive movement experiences. Special Olympics youth programs promote opportunities for children, who might require additional supports,...

Welcome to September, everyone! Hopefully all of you are getting settled in nicely to the shift in pace after the long weekend.In this week's Q&A we're learning about a unique run in the area that many of you will likely be interested in getting in on. The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) is hosting a 10K run on September 15 called the SREDA Regional Race. Ths race will take runners (or walkers) from Martensville to Warman, ending with a community brunch.Kristen Johannesson from SREDA is here to tell us all about it, so let's get to it! Q&A with Kristen JohannessonTara: Before we start talking about the race, for those who aren't familiar with what the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority is, would you mind sharing what it's about? Kristen: The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) helps strengthen and grow the local economy through six pillars: business attraction, business expansion, entrepreneurship, economic forecastingand analysis, marketing the Saskatoon Region, and...

The fall racing season is just around the corner! Locally, one of the premier events is the EY River Run Classic. Along with a change in date this year, there are some exciting bonuses to take note of. In this week's Q&A we're going to get the scoop on it all from race director, Kim Ali. So let's get right to it!Q&A with Kim Ali Tara: The EY River Run Classic is a go-to race for many runners each year; it's a well-organized and takes place on a beautiful course. Why did the race date change? Kim: The SRRA determined that there was a gap in the Saskatoon fall race schedule and looked at ways to introduce a family run in conjunction with one of their races. They determined that the River Run needed a new date as July was consistently so hot for runners. So, the race changed seasons and we are excited...

Back-to-school time has arrived! This is always a busy and exciting time of the year as the anticipation of new beginnings settles in. This year we're proud to be featuring New Balance Days; a promotion is aimed at getting everyone - including those not heading back to school - ready for a new season.New Balance Days got underway on Monday and will run through this Saturday, August 25.  In this week's Q&A Brian is here to give us the scoop on what to expect at New Balance Days! Q&A with Brian Michasiw  Tara: Back-to-school time for parents and children. An event such as this is going to serve well in preparing them to get back to school. What makes New Balance the right fit as the featured company for this promotion? Brian: As a parent of three kids ages 6, 10 and 13 I understand the challenges of ensuring kids have proper footwear. Kids feet can grow...

We're just days away from the Teen Challenge Freedom Run! This is going to be a fun event, with proceeds going towards the Prairie Hope Women's Centre. If you haven't already registered to be sure to check out the "Upcoming Events" section to learn more. In this week's Q&A we're talking yoga! More specifically, we're learning more about how all you yoga instructors out there can up your game. Shirley Berthelet of Breath Move Be is here to talk about two upcoming yoga training courses that will take your skills to another level. And, for those of you who have experienced the many benefits of yoga and are interested in taking the first steps towards becoming an instructor, Breath Move Be is a great place to start, which we'll also talk to Shirley about. So, let's get right to our conversation! Q&A with Shirley Berthelet Tara: The training course you have coming up is for two different...

The ability to rise each morning and head out the door for a run is a privilege. Today we're reminded of this in our Q&A with Tammy Powder. Tammy and her daughter Ella both have a condition called Chiari Malformation. The condition has caused a great deal of pain in her life, but she found a way to work through it and improve her quality of life - and running has played a major role in that. In September Tammy will debut a community run dedicated to raising funds for the Canadian Chiari Association. In our Q&A with Tammy, we're going to learn more about her journey and the run she is organizing.  Q&A with Tammy Powder Tara: Chiari Malformation is not a very well-known disorder. Would you mind explaining what it is and how it impacts your life and the life of your daughter?  Tammy: Chiari Malformation is a rare neurological disorder that is not very well understood so...

Welcome into August everyone! May a beautiful month of summer running lie ahead! As we get closer to nearing the end of the summer season there are some local races coming up. In today's Times we're going to learn more about the Race Against Racism, which is being held on September 22. Here to tell us all about the event is Saskatoon Police Service Indigenous Relations Consultant, Angela Daigneault.So, let's get to it!Q&A with Angela Daigneault Tara: Now going into its eighth year, the Race Against Racism has become a staple event in the community. What was the motivation for setting up this event all those years ago? Angela: The Race Against Racism started in 2011 with a goal of providing a positive environment for people of all ages, cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds to gather and promote an active healthy lifestyle while encouraging positive police community relations. All funds raised would go back to support various local community organizations...

We're talking nutrition and hydration in this week's Times! Yes, it deserves an exclamation point because this topic, or aspect of the sport of running, can be tricky and overwhelming. Where does one start? There are so many products, so many brands, and so many different bodies reacting in so many different ways. To help make sense of it all we're speaking with Brainsport's Lisette Schermann. You may recall Lisette touched on this topic in an interview a while back. In fact, that interview sparked the idea to do another interview with her solely about nutrition/hydration. Lisette has a ton of valuable knowledge and insights for us, so let's get right to it! Q&A with Lisette SchermannTara: Trying to figure out proper nutrition/hydration for race day can be one of the trickier pieces to the race-day puzzle. There are so many product options out there. Where do you recommend a person starts if they have little or no...