As she crossed the finish line of the Melfort Multi-K’s 21K race, Karen Strukoff of St. Brieux felt happy she was the fastest female runner for the seventh year in a row.
“It feels really good because each year, you’re getting a year older and it’s nice to know that you can still perform the same way,” she said, adding she enters each year as a challenge to herself.
It took Strukoff 1:32:50 to finish. She was one of 500 that registered for the race, which started at the Kerry Vickar Centre Sept. 16. There was a 1K aimed at the young children, a 5K, a 10K and a 21K. The race was founded as a way to get the residents of Melfort physically active.
Strukoff also brought her children to the race. Her daughter Tia did the 5K, while her son Alex did the 1K.
“It’s important as a family and individual to stay quite active all year round,” she said. “Don’t just be a fair-weather runner, get out all year. Bundle up, do what you need to do to stay active.”
Allison Rogers, the race director, said the 1K is her favourite part of the day and it’s something that encourages children to race again.
“A lot of them have moved into the 5K. Some of them have even moved into the 10K.”
The race director estimated around 50 per cent of the runners came from outside Melfort.
“Some people have used it as a family reunion. It’s just a really good weekend to get together.”
That was the case for Chris Schulz, the male 21K winner, who’s from Saskatoon.
“I’m originally from Tisdale and I’ve got family here in Melfort. My wife and I like to travel around and try out all of the different races all over the place, and this is nice and close.”
It took Schulz 1:28:26 to finish the race.
“I started running fairly seriously about two years ago when I started to see my weight notch up and not wanting to see it keep going up,” he said. “It was about getting fit and it just kind of became an addiction.”
Troy Gullacher of Englefeld won the 10K race, with a time of 42:22.
“I just really enjoy it,” he said. “This is my sixth year in the Melfort Multi-K and it’s a well-organized race, it’s a great turnout and it’s always good weather.”
Gullacher said he runs to keep fit.
“It’s nice to get out there and do some running every day just to keep fit and healthy. This is a nice end-of-summer goal race for me just to see how I’ve done for the year.”
It takes 100 volunteers, plus many sponsors and the co-operation of the City of Melfort to make the race possible.
The winner of the 5K was David Sorenson of Saskatoon, who finished the race in 20:54. The 1K race results are not recorded.
Gullacher suggested others come to the event next year.
“I encourage people to come out and try it because it’s a fantastic race and you might surprise yourself with what you can do.”
