Brainsport Times July 27, 2016

Excitement is building for the start of the 2016 Summer Olympics, which gets underway on August 5, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here in Saskatoon the Olympic spirit will be celebrated at this year's Folkfest with a torch run on opening day of the festival - August 18.

In this week's Q&A we learn more about the torch run from the Greek Pavilion Manager, Effie Kutsogiannis.

Q&A with Effie Kutsogiannis

Tara: With the Olympic Games fast approaching, soon the world will be  watching as the Olympic torch is lit in Rio. Tell us how the idea to light a torch here in Saskatoon during Folkfest came to fruition.

Effie: This year's Olympic Games inspired this torch run. The roots of the ancient games in Olympia were to unite the Ancient Greek city states for a short time. As the Greek pavilion, we want to celebrate this.

Tara: Where will the torch run start and finish? And, what will be the route?

Effie: The run will start at the trek pavilion with a small opening ceremony and end at City Hall with the raising of a Folkfest flag. It will encompass a run through all 18 pavilions, symbolic of unification of all countries in this common endeavour. The route will go through the Greek pavilion and then through the pavilions at Prairieland Park, to the German pavilion and then to pavilions in the Walter Murray school area. From there it will go to the pavilions in Sutherland followed by pavilions downtown - we anticipate a Brazilian pavilion representative to run it to City Hall. 

Flame lighting ceremony for the Rio Games inside the ancient Olympic Stadium in Olympia, Greece. Photo: Reuters 

Tara: What kind of impact are you hoping this event has on this year's Folkfest, and the city as a whole?

Effie: The impact I'm anticipating is an awareness of the significance of the Olympic Games, not just as a competitive sport endeavour, but as a unification of ethnicities in the true spirit of the Olympic Games - harmony through diversity.  

Tara: How many runners will be participating? And, who should volunteer?

Effie: There will be a combination of runners and vehicles for longer distances in the interest of time. We have some previous Olympians participating, along with members of the pavilions. I anticipate to engage approximately 20 runners. If you're interested in carrying the torch email Brian at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Fast Eddy’s “There and Back” journey across Canada



Eddy is running across the country - twice - to raise money for Alzheimer’s and Breast Cancer charities in each province - and he's doing it solo! Next Wednesday, August 3, he will be at Brainsport for a meet-and-greet before run club. Check out the website to learn more about Eddy's remarkable journey. https://www.fasteddycanada.com/.

Louis Riel Relay Days

The Louis Riel Relay Days is taking place at the Batoche National Historic Site, on August 20 and 21. The Batoche relay will have multi-participant teams competing in succession in six events – running, biking, hill hiking, canoeing, horseback riding and archery.

Organizers are looking for teams of 6 and individuals to compete in the inaugural, resurrected Louis Riel Relay. Every racer will receive weekend event admission and a concert ticket! The winning competitive relay team will also win a cash prize. For more information contact Carissa at 306-539-4928 or visit http://www.louisrielrelaydays.com/

Miles for Smiles

The Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan is hosting its 13th annual fundraising event on September 10, 2016 - Miles for Smiles! Come out and run/walk 2.5K, or run a 5K or 10K (chip timing is available). All funds raised will go to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. For more information on the event go to: http://miles4smiles.usask.ca/.

Folkfest Torch Run

In celebration of this year's Olympic Games, the Greek Pavilion is putting together a torch run for opening day of Folkfest, on August 18. There will be an opening ceremony at the Greek Pavilion, followed by a torch run through all the pavilions involved in Folkfest 2016! The torch will be run all the way to City Hall, and the raising of the Folkfest flag. If you're interested in carrying the torch email Brian at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Ultra Ethnography

Trail runners, here's an interesting opportunity! A graduate researcher out of Calgary, Ian MacNairn, is doing a study exploring the community of ultra-running. Our friend Ian Colvine brought this to our attention. The study has just moved into the online portion and would like your participation. To do so you will be guided through an online interview and questionnaire hosted through Survey Monkey. Ian (MacNairn) is hoping to have as many people as possible from the community participate and complete this online It takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

The link to the interview and questionnaire is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ultraethnographyemail. To learn more about Ian's project you can visit the website at: www.theultraculture.com.

If you are an ultrarunner, a retired ultrarunner, an aspiring ultrarunning, or participate by any other means in ultrarunning, e.g. as volunteer, race director, crew, pacer, fan, documentarian, etc. he would love to have you join!

Crown the King Openwater Swim Race

On September 5 a king will be crowned at Trippes Beach on Waskesiu Lake! Registration is through Registration Logics and the Prince Albert Triathlon Club.For more information visit the Crown The King Facebook page or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Beaver Flat 50 - Ultra Trail Marathon


Saskatchewan's first ultra trail marathon will get underway on September 17 at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. With more than 2500 metres of vertical gain across 50 kilometres, there's nothing really flat about this race! The Beaver Flat 50 is a tough get-your-feet-wet, wreck-your-shins, and roll-your-ankle kind of run. For more information clickhere.

Brainsport Free Stroller Walking Club

Product of the Week

Asics Dynaflyte

The Asics Dynaflyte with take you through speedy tempo runs, while also providing enough cushioning for those long-run days. The new Flytefoam technology has organic fibres embedded into the foam, providing a lightweight cushioning with great energy return. And, the seamless upper of the Dynaflyte makes for a super comfortable fit. If you're looking for a versatile, lightweight, responsive shoe come in and try on this new arrival!

Thanks for reading the Times this week . .  gotta run . . .Tara