We're happy to be featuring another first-time event in this week's edition of the Times. AIESEC Saskatoon is hosting its first-ever community run this August; with a distance for everyone! For those of you not familiar, AIESEC is the world's largest non-profit youth-run organization. It provides young people with leadership development, cross-cultural global internships, and volunteer exchange experiences across the world.This summer AIESEC Saskatoon is introducing a cross-country-like race to the city with distances ranging from the mile to 10K.To learn more about this event we're speaking with AIESEC's Courtney Hufsmith in this week's Q&A. This U of S Huskie is likely a familiar name to many of you, as she became the provincial record holder in the 1500m this month (4:11:83). So, let's get to our interview with Courtney to learn more!
Q&A with Courtney Hufsmith
Tara: This is AIESEC's first-ever charity run. Why was Saskatoon chosen as the city to host the first? And, why was a racing event chosen as a way to raise awareness and funds?Courtney: Our local committee, AIESEC Saskatoon, has been looking for ways to raise brand awareness this summer towards our student-led not-for-profit organization. On a national level, AIESEC operates out of 25 different universities across Canada; Saskatchewan being one of the smallest. We are looking to change that. We also chose to raise funds for the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital through this event as a way of giving back to our community!Tara: The run is in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Can you tell us more about what these are?Courtney: The racing event was chosen as a way of promoting the Sustainable Development Goal #3 of good health and well-being. The Sustainable Development Goals otherwise called the Global Goals were adopted by world leaders of the United Nations in 2015 as a means of ending poverty, fighting inequalities and injustice, and tackling climate change by the year 2030. At AIESEC we support these goals and their underlying mission and so creating this event will also give us the opportunity to educate the community on the Global Goals.
Courtney Hufsmith leading the way through Victoria Park at the 2017 Sled Dog Cross Country Open. Photo GetMyPhoto.ca.Tara: As for the racing itself, what can participants expect on race day? What will the course look like? Courtney: Our event will be very unique to the general running community in Saskatoon. We chose to have the race in Victoria Park as more of a cross-country type of race. Rather than having a typical road race; we saw this as a fun opportunity to provide the community with something different and that they may have never experienced before! The AIESEC mile course will be 1 loop around the park; the Craven 5K will be 2 loops, each 2.5K; and the Brainsport 10K will be a challenging 4 loops of 2.5K each. We also decided to include the mile distance so that younger participants or those intimidated by the longer races have a chance to take part!Tara: It sounds like this event serves both competitive runners and those looking to simply get out in support of a good cause, is this correct?Courtney: Yes; our run is really targeted towards anyone in and around the Saskatoon community. It will serve as a great opportunity for some of our local University athletes to gear up for their cross country season as well as other competitive runners in our city. We also welcome anyone and everyone looking to support a great cause and get active, learn more about our organization, and have fun on a summer afternoon!Tara: Is there anything else you would like to add?Courtney: Our event will be a great preview of the race course at the Huskies Sled Dog Open meet in late September. This allows the community a chance to try out a similar course that our Huskies will be competing at later on!
ᐧUpcoming EventsAIESEC's Run for Good Health and Well-BeingWith support from Brainsport and Affinity Insurance, AIESEC Saskatoon will be hosting a community run on August 12 in Victoria Park. All proceeds of the event will be donated to the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital.
Entry fee for each participant is $30. This includes single admission into a race of your choice and a free run t-shirt. Distance options are one mile, 5K and 10K
Top 3 finishers win prizes and each participant will receive a race package. There will also be giveaways throughout the day and food for race participants!
Registration is open until August 12 at 9 a.m. Click here to register. And, to find out more about the event click here.Brainsport Running Academy
Learn to Run at Wanuskewin Heritage Park: Get the basics down this summer over a 7-week long course leading into the Race Against Racism on September 22.
The course starts on Saturday, August 11, 2018. Sessions will take place along the great trails at Wanuskewin Heritage Park! To register go to raceroster.com.
GMS Queen City Marathon
Take part in one of the province's premier road races on the weekend of September 7 at the Queen City Marathon. There are distance options ranging from the kid's 1K through to the full marathon, along with relay options. To learn more and to register click here.
EY River Run Classic
The EY River Run Classic is one of the premier running events in Saskatoon. This event is organized by the Saskatoon Road Runners Association and consists of 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. The routes run along the South Saskatchewan River, making for a beautiful route. For more information click here. Triathlon Movie Screening"We Are Triathletes" is screening across Canada this summer. On August 9 Transition Sport & Fitness is hosting the Saskatoon screening at the Galaxy Theatre. Everyone is welcome. Come for a fun night in a cinema full of triathletes, endurance enthusiasts, and their pals.Watch the trailer here: https://ca.demand.film/we-are-triathletes/. Tickets are on sale now, (organizers are asking people to please buy tickets in advance as they need 50 people to guarantee the movie can screen). Use the code "TriClub18" to receive 10% off your tickets if you reserve them before July 11. Click herefor tickets. And, join the Facebook Event Page here.
Teen Challenge Freedom Run
Runners and walkers of all fitness levels will join together for our Teen Challenge Freedom Run on August 19. This 5K fun run is in support of the Teen Challenge Prairie Hope Women's Centre. Whether you are a seasoned runner or first-time participant, end your summer with a healthy living challenge and support a great cause fighting addiction across Saskatchewan. To register click here.
Voodoo Fitness Festival
In September Saskatoon will play host to the Voodoo Fitness Festival - the largest fitness competition in Canada. There are divisions for all levels of athletes, so if CrossFit is up your alley be sure to check out the website to learn more. https://voodoofitnessfest.com/.
Product of the WeekNew Balance RC1400
We're pleased to have Courtney select her favourite running shoe as this week's feature product! Here's what she has to say about the New Balance RC1400. "One of my favourite products that Brainsport carries is the New Balance RC1400's. I use these pretty much anytime that I am running whether it is on the trails or track. They are a super and light and comfortable shoe that fit my feet well and are very versatile. They have been my go-to running shoes for the past few years now and I always feel fast when I am running in them!" - Courtney Hufsmith
Thanks for reading the Times.
Gotta run,
Tara
In all our initiatives we aim to create an open and inviting environment for all people who love to walk, run and live a healthy lifestyle.
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