YourRegina Blogs

Registration is open for the 12th annual Brainsport Brainfreeze, which takes place snow or shine on March 1. This event, which features five-kilometre, 10-kilometre and half marathon races, is the main fundraiser for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies cross-country team.  Here are five reasons you should sign up: 1. The event is a huge boost for the Huskies The Brainfreeze has capacity for 400 runners and, if it sells out, could bring in more than $10,000 for the Huskies cross country team. Race Director Taryn Heidecker says the race is so important because the Huskie cross country team struggles to fundraise like some of the more spectator-friendly university sports that charge people to watch games. Money raised from the Brainfreeze goes toward scholarships, team travel, training camps and program development.  The cost of registration for each distance is $75, which includes an ArroWhere vest. 2. There are lots of photo opportunities...

Each year Brainsport presents the Ric Hanna Award to a runner who demonstrates leadership and makes running more meaningful for fellow run club members. This year’s Ric Hanna Award winner is Don Cochrane, who has been a part of Brainsport’s run clubs since the run club’s first meeting in July 1991.  Prior to accepting the award on Dec. 22, Cochrane spoke with the Brainsport Times about his journey in running and what the Brainsport run club has meant to him. Don Cochrane’s fascination with running began in his early teens. He remembers growing up in Ontario and being captivated by stories of the great athletes who raced the Boston Marathon. “I thought ‘Nobody in their right mind could ever run 26 miles,’ ” recalls Cochrane, now 78. “This just caught the imagination of a 13 year old. But way down deep, I said ‘One day, one day I’m going to do...

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...

All the best to everyone taking part in the Saskatchewan Marathon this weekend! We hope everyone has a great day, whether you're racing, volunteering, or cheering along the sidelines.  In this week's Q&A we're speaking the Cary Snyder. Cary is the race director of a new fun run in the city called the Teen Challenge Freedom Run happening on August 19. This event is a great opportunity to get out with family and friends in support of an important cause, which Cary is going to tell us about!  Q&A with Cary Snyder Tara: What was the motivation behind starting the Teen Challenge Freedom Run? Cary: Teen Challenge is always interested in finding different ways to reach our community and spread the word about Teen Challenge. The Freedom Run is a fun way to bring people together to raise awareness & funds for Teen Challenge. Tara: For those not familiar, what is...

We're less than two weeks away from the Saskatchewan Marathon! On May 27 many of you will be taking to the streets to show your stuff after months of training.  In this week's Q&A we're talking to Brainsport Manager Lisette Schereman to get some advice on everything from nutrition to gear before the big day. So, let's get right to it!   Q&A with Lisette Schermann Tara: As the Saskatchewan Marathon fast approaches the store gets busy with runners making final preparations for the big day. One of the primary questions people have is around fueling. With so many different options out there, can you help break some it down? Lisette: It takes training to know how to eat and drink on the run. Hopefully, racers in the full and half marathon events have been incorporating it into their long runs for some time now. But, sometimes runners don’t think about nutrition until...

With the passing of Canada Day over the weekend we're now into the full swing of summer, which means beautiful early-morning runs and warm (sometimes hot, but still beautiful evening runs).  Summer running in Saskatoon is second to none, and a great time of year to gear up for a race. The Queen City Marathon is the last major local road race of the season in Saskatchewan. For many it is a goal race with a personal best targeted For others it's simply a high-quality racing event to take part in.  Wherever you may fall on this spectrum, the Queen City Marathon offers a nice opportunity to put your summer training to the test and enjoy a race before the weather turns colder. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with race director, Shawn Weimer to learn more about the 2017 Queen City Marathon. Q&A with Shawn Weimer Tara: As running continues to grow in...

With the Easter long weekend approaching hopefully everyone can get out and enjoy some nice spring running!Speaking of spring running, the second annual Brainsport Spring Run Off is coming up next month in Elbow. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with Natalie Letts, chairperson with the Friends of the Elbow Trail.This group has been successful in building the beautiful trail along Lake Diefenbaker in partnership with the Trans Canada Trail, which will be a highlight of this year's event. Let's get to our chat with Natalie and learn more! Q&A with Natalie Letts Tara: For those who weren’t out at last year’s inaugural event, would you mind giving some background about it and what participants can expect?Natalie: Our trail group has partnered with Brainsport to annually put on this race, which approximately 200 people signed up for last year. We are hoping for more runners and walkers this year. It’s a family day for everyone, including their pets, to come...

Happy springtime everyone! Race season is fast approaching, so we're going to get to another interview featuring a race director this week. Cari Bode is heading up the Canada Goose 150 Race in Regina this summer. This is a special one-time event in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, with distance and time options suitable for everyone.  Speaking of summer racing, it's time to start practicing race-day nutrition and hydration during some upcoming long runs. You'll want to checkout the product of the week at the end of this edition for some excellent product options.  Now, let's get to our Q&A with Cari! Q&A with Cari Bode   Tara: This event looks like a great opportunity for runners wanting to get out and have some fun celebrating Canada's 150th birthday. Tell us more about the intention and motivation behind the no-pressure vibe the Canada Goose 150 Race will have?   Cari: Marathon Matters is...

If you can for a moment, shake off the cold feelings of the past several days and imagine yourself running along the Meewasin Valley Trail cradled by the warmth of a late-May day's sun. You're surround by hundreds of other runners reaching for their goals and supporters are cheering you along the way as run in one of the province's premier events: The Saskatchewan Marathon. This is a special year to take part in this well-known, multi-distance event as it will be celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary. In this week's Q&A we're speaking with race director Kim Ali to get more details.  Q&A with Kim Ali   Tara: As Saskatchewan's population continues to grow, so to does its running community. This means there are people who may not know a whole lot about the Saskatchewan Marathon. For those less familiar what do you want them to know about this event? Kim: The Saskatchewan Marathon...

While the snow may still be falling, before you know it summer will be here and we'll be celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary! In this week's Times we're learning more about an anniversary event runners can really get excited about.  Our neighbors to the east at Trail Run Manitoba are planning an "epic" ultra marathon and everyone's invited to make the road trip to join in! Race director, Dwayne Sandall is going to fill us in on this upcoming event in this week's Q&A.  But first, a reminder that more than 100 pairs of shoes have been reduced to $50 (Reg. $120-$190) at the Brainsport Pop Up Store at 704 Broadway Ave. The store will be closing on March 5, so now's your time to get in on the deals!  Now to our Q&A . . .  Q&A with Dwayne Sandall Tara: What motivated the folks at Trail Run Manitoba to celebrate Canada's...

Thanks to everyone who took part last Wednesday in our special Walk/Run Club in celebration of Wintershines. It's always great to see familiar and new faces out to share in the fun!  In this week's Times we're turning our attention back to the Brainsport Running Academy.  Our Learn to Run, Performance Marathon and Standard Marathon courses are all underway at this point, which leaves us with the Half Marathon and 10k courses to preview. Today we're going to speak with Jen Kripki, the coach of our Half Marathon course. This course gets started on February 13, so there's still time to sign up!  Q&A with Jen Kripki  Tara: Let's start by giving people some of your background as both a coach and runner. What kind of experience are you bringing to this half marathon course? Jen: I have been coaching various clinics with Brainsport for the past eight years. Anywhere from...

Tonight the Brainsport Walk/Run Club is celebrating the Wintershines Festival! This is going to be a great opportunity to bring out a friend who has yet to experience what we have to offer every week at the club. Check the "Upcoming Events" section below for more details about this evening.  In this week's Q&A we're speaking with a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Margo Killham is embarking on an exciting study and she's looking to some of you to help her out with her research. Let's get to it! Q&A with Margo Killham Tara: Let’s start by learning more about your study. What can you tell us about the focus and goals of your research? Margo: Like most graduate students I have many goals for my Ph.D. research in the College of Kinesiology, but the main goal of my ongoing study is to find out more...

It's an exciting time at Brainsport as we're in the midst of our Minus 40 Sale, and the Brainsport Running Academy Courses are getting underway! Last week we focused on the Standard Marathon Course, with coach Pat Sommerville. Now we're turning our attention to the Performance Marathon Course. This year's course is being coached by one of Canada's former top distance runners, Jason Warick. Jason also happens to be Brian's coach. So for a little bragging, which Jason is far too humble to do, we turn it over to Brian to tell us more about the top-notch coaching you'll receive in the Performance Marathon Course. "Jason is an incredible coach," says Brian. "I thought I peaked in my 30's, but he helped me set my marathon personal best when I was in my 40's. Without Jason, that would never have happened. We are lucky to have one of Canada's top running experts here in Saskatoon."  Now let's...

With relief from the deep-freeze conditions it's getting a lot easier to envision this year's upcoming racing season. The Brainsport Running Academy is offering a robust line up of courses this winter and spring to help you meet your running goals in 2017. If the Saskatchewan Marathon Event is in your sights, you'll surely want to check out the courses being offered. Whether you're a beginner, or an experienced marathoner, there's a course for you!  In this week's Q&A we're speaking with the coach of the Standard Marathon course, Pat Sommerville. Pat has an extensive background helping runners meet their goals, and has dedicated many, many hours to runners who have come through the Brainsport Running Academy. Q&A with Pat Sommerville   Tara: The Brainsport Academy Marathon Course gets underway next week, and there are still some spots open. For those who may be considering it, but aren't quite sure it's for them...

It's seems safe to say Saskatonians are in the thick of winter's wrath, which means one thing: It can only get warmer, right? Well, let's hope so. In the meantime, keep your sights set on the beautiful spring and summer days ahead, when all the training you're putting in over the winter is going to pay off.  This week's Times is an excellent edition for those of you who are, or who know of somebody who is, interested in kicking up their activity intensity over the season and into the spring. First up, the Brainsport Running Academy still has spots open for the Learn To Run course with coach Jen Kripki, but only for one more week so jump on it if you're interested. For more information, or to register contact Harvey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Secondly, for all the women out there who have ever considered the idea of getting into triathlon the Just Tri-It program is for you! In...

Happy New Year to everyone! Hopefully you are all having a wonderful start to 2017. For many, a new year marks a time for new beginnings. In this week's Q&A we speak with a local physiotherapist who's embarking on a new endeavour in 2017. Juliet Sarjeant has spent her career working at the Saskatoon Health Region; and is now excited to be starting a private practice part-time at McInnes Physiotherapy - starting tomorrow. As you will read further down, Juliet is looking forward to reconnecting with the Brainsport community in the months ahead. Q&A with Juliet Sarjeant Tara: What was your motivation for venturing into private practice at this time in your career? Juliet: I’m looking forward to starting work in private practice primarily to broaden my client base. At the health region, I only see women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. At McInnes Physiotherapy, I’m hoping to continue working with those...

The countdown is on to New Year's Eve, hopefully you all had a wonderful Christmas Day and are continuing to enjoy the Holiday Season. There's nothing quite like sharing in a run with friends and family this time of year. In this week's Q&A we speak with a new member of the Brainsport Run Club who definitely understands the spirit of camaraderie among runners. If you're a regular at Run Club you may have already met Shan Chao. If not, this will serve as an introduction and opportunity for everyone to learn a bit more about him. Before we get to it though, a quick thank you to long-time Rub Club member, Don Cochrane, for connecting us with a translator to help make this interview possible. Q&A with Shan Chao Tara: Welcome to Saskatoon. We are very happy you found the Brainsport Run Club. You come to us from a great distance. Where in China do...