麻豆视频

The sixth annual Moose Mountain Marathon held on Aug.10 at Saskairie once again spelled success for organizers, runners and the event's beneficiary, the Arcola School Track and Field Club. The race was open to all ages and featured a five kilometre run/walk, a 10 kilometre run/walk and a half marathon (21.1 kilometres) run.

This year the picturesque but challenging run attracted 67 runners from 23 communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, aged 8 to 72.

Organizer Cathy Burton of Arcola says that the race is planned with two routes. The south path runs along grid roads to the south of Saskairie while the north route is more rugged and usually gives runners a chance to glimpse more wildlife and pass by lakes, such as Kippan Lake and Eight Lake. Either way, says Burton, "It's a beautiful run through our beautiful hills."

This year, both runs were prepared and ready to go, until a last-minute cloudburst on the eve of the race rendered the north route unusable. "I've planned that course every year but I had to rip it down," says Burton's "man on the ground" and fellow organizer Eugene Brown of Arcola. "It's the elusive north route, it's always there, but we've only used it once."

"[The Moose Mountain Marathon] a tough, trail-type run," says Burton. "There is gravel, there is no pavement and there are hills. But the scenery is so beautiful and there is tons of wildlife there."

Burton, fellow runner Lucille Weber and teacher and track coach Brown (all of Arcola) planned the inaugural race at Saskairie after they attended the Coal Country run in Bienfait seven years ago. Since then, the Moose Mountain Marathon's attendance has doubled. "We started out with about 35 runners," says Burton. "Since then, we average over 80."

"Lucille and I started running seven years ago," says Burton. "Eugene gave us a really good push to get us going. There were school kids at the Coal Country Run and as Lucille and I started running, the three of us came up with an awesome idea for a fundraiser to support track in Arcola. We thought it was a great way to get the kids involved and stay physically fit."

In the past, the Moose Mountain Marathon has attracted entrants and spectators from all parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and North Dakota and the 2014 edition continued that tradition, with runners coming from as far away as Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

"We've had runners from those areas and while some plan ahead, we've also had people vacationing at White Bear or Kenosee who see our posters and decide to enter," says Burton. "Runners just run and we're always looking for a new challenge and we're always looking for something fun."

Burton says that the event wouldn't be possible without "our great volunteers. We get a ton of community support from the surrounding area. We have stations every 2.5 km along the course with water, Gatorade, first-aid, cell phones, jelly beans, and everything a runner could want or need. We couldn't do any of this without our volunteers. My folks even come up from Lake Havasu City [Arizona] just to help and hang out with us. It's just a great community event with great people."

After the race, there is always a brunch and an awards ceremony on site, "with everyone together," says Burton. "We have loads of great door prizes, a huge brunch and everyone gets an award."

"Over the years, Lucille and I have done different runs, so we know how hard it is sometimes to get out and train," says Burton. "We want to acknowledge the efforts of all of the runners that come out. That's why everyone gets a participation medal."

Brown agrees with Burton's inclusive approach. "Marathons are different from other athletic pursuits. It doesn't seem like they're competing with each other. Instead, they're comforting each other, encouraging each other and helping each other through it. It's not competitive. Instead, there's a sense of community and camaraderie and a sense of everyone all in it together."

"I would encourage stepping into a marathon over other athletic pursuits, because a beginner is going to experience nothing but camaraderie and encouragement," adds Brown.

Brown says that he has witnessed firsthand the benefits that the Moose Mountain Marathon's support has brought to Arcola School and the surrounding area.

"It's not just the kids, it's the community," he says. " It's bigger than just the school or the kids in the school, it's about people doing the healthy thing."

"The marathon has grown year after year," says Brown. "Since the first year, it's doubled in size and last year was our largest year. My track athletes started out as volunteers, now they run [the race]. After running clinics and clinics that teach people how to run, adults in the community run now."

"What this comes down to is the lifelong pursuit of doing things that are good for you-physical things in this case."

The funds raised at the Moose Mountain Marathon benefits the Arcola School Track and Field Club. The money has been used to make upgrades to Arcola School's weight room, gym and track. The funds have also been used to send local athletes to track and field events, including the Saskatchewan Summer Games.

Moose Mountain Marathon Race Results

5 Kilometre Run/Walk

Male-18 & under: 1) Nathan Ruetz 2) Andrew Kraus-Snow

Male-19-30: 1) Dylan Kent 2) Jared Burnett 3) Brad Brown

Male-31-45: Bill Ruetz

Female 18 & under: Erika Wilson

Female 19-30: 1) Ameena Bajer-Koulach 2) Britany Burnett 3) Kayla Benjamin

Female 31-45: 1) Kristy Johnson 2) Nadine Coderre 3) Billy-Jo Kohler

Female 55 & over: Gloria Knous

10 Kilometre Run/Walk

Male 46-54: 1) Daniel Koulach

Female 18 & under: 1) Lacey Raynard

Female 19-30: 1) Bailey Verbeem 2) Danielle Beaulieu 3) Keeley Raynard

Female 31-45: 1) Janine Beaulieu 2) Tamara Kapell 3) Julia Fisher

Female 46-54: 1) Heather Peat Hamm 2) Claudia Mullis

Female: 55 & over: 1) Thelma Snow 2) Lucille Weber

Marathon (21.1 Kilometre Run)

Male 31-45: 1) Marcel MacFarlane 2) Mark Newton

Male 46-54: 1) John Pollock 2) Robert Neufeld 3) Alan Easton

Male: 55 & over: 1) Clint Neuls

Female: 31-45: 1) Nancy Larson-James 2) Roxanne Moreau

Female: 46-54: Nora Houston

Female: 55 & over: Cathy Burton