Joggers train for marathon

Marie Hawreluik and her son Kelson joined the Yorkton running clinic to get outside, exercise, and meet new people. Marie enjoys it, but there’s one part of the program she didn’t count on.

“My son keeps beating me [at races],” she said. “But it’s okay.

“We’re enjoying it together.”

Marie and Kelson are part of the 10-kilometer running clinic. Other runners participate in five-kilometer and half-marathon clinics. They’re preparing for the Health Foundation’s 2018 Charity Road Race on Aug. 19 in Yorkton.

The running clinics are designed to prepare joggers for the marathon. They’re drawing to a close later this month. 

Bruce Wlock, the co-founder of the Yorkton Pacers Running Club and a clinic instructor, said the five-kilometer clinic had a smaller enrollment than previous years, but the other clinics saw decent numbers.

“The other groups are doing really well,” he said. “We’ve had a really good turnout this year.”

The clinics began on May 1. Runners met at Yorkton Regional High School on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Instructors led their groups on routes on race tracks and through Yorkton.

“We had a good summer,” Wlock said.

While the clinics are winding down for the season, running addicts can still get their fix at Tuesday and Thursday jogging meetups every week in the lead-up to the marathon. The meetups are free and open to anyone. Wlock said the clinic runners should attend the meetups to maintain their running standards.

“If they quit now, they’ve wasted two months of training,” he said.

Wlock started habitually jogging 30 years ago. He enjoys the routine his hobby provides.

“Jogging is habit forming,” he said. “You get addicted to it.”

Kelson Hawreluik is new to the jogging game, but he made a big impression on the running clinic.

“He’s quite the character,” Wlock said. “He can pretty much outrun anyone in the 10-kilometer group.”

Kelson enjoys the simple pleasures of jogging.

“[I like] how the wind feels on my face [when I run],” he said.

Anyone who wishes to register for the Road Race can contact the Health Foundation at 306-786-0506 or 1-800-636-3243. They can also register online at www.events.runningroom.com.