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Runners put their feet to the test at Queen City Marathon

Sep 7, 2014 | 12:21 PM

paNOW Staff

Thousands of running shoes will hit the pavement in Regina for the Queen City Marathon on Sunday.

The races actually started on Saturday with the Family 5K, a new event this year. Race director Shawn Weimer says there will also be a new category just for walkers.

“We've always had walkers on the course but they've never actually had their own event, they've done it as part of the run. It's kinda a race for every pace, people have all those opportunities to go out there and run their race that their comfortable with.”

A little over 5,500 runners will be making their away around the city starting at different times. Weimer says they have participants from across Canada, the United States and as far away as Denmark, Switzerland and Australia.

The full marathon walk will be leaving at 7 a.m. followed by runners in the full, half and team relay at 8 a.m.. The mini marathon for 5 to 17 year olds kicks off around 9 am.

Weimer says the best spot to watch is the start and finish line at the TC Douglas building off of Albert street.

“To see people really achieving personal goals and you can see that look of elation and anguish on their face at the exact same time as they realize what they've just done and what they've accomplished as the medal goes around their neck.”

The marathon can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours to complete but Weimar says most people should be across the finish line before 2 p.m. on Sunday. No matter what their time, they will receive a medal.

panews@rawlco.com

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