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Summit Run rookies prepare for the big day

Jun 15, 2016 | 12:59 PM

The annual Summit Run in Prince Albert attracts roughly 500 runners and walkers and, according to organizers, this Saturday’s event on the Rotary Trail will be no different.

Six rookies who have been training together will be making their Summit debuts. Tiffany Buglass, Carol Wittal, Tammy Cantin, Janet Smith as well as 8-year-old Hailey Evans and 10-year-old Braydon Evans began their journey in April with the goal of running the 5 km at Summit.

Both a Summit organizer and group leader, Lisa Evans said the run Saturday is a celebration of the hard work leading up to the event and is one of biggest reasons she gets involved every year.

“I think they’re great examples of how some people think, ‘oh, maybe this is something that’s too big of a goal’ and a perfect example of how we practice and with consistency and motivation of a group, you can achieve great things,” she said.   

Their eight week program began with intervals of one minute of running followed by one minute of walking. In addition to the weekly group session, each runner trained twice a week on their own. 

Carol Wittal said she and friend Janet Smith thought it would be fun to get into a running program.  

“Her and I started yoga together and we thought that we would try something new, we’re actually neighbours so we jumped on the bandwagon,” she said.

Wittal said training in a group kept her working toward their goal.

“You have that silent motivation, even if you’re not with the group during the week,” she said.

Wittal is looking forward to experiencing an actual race and interacting with other participants.  

“I am excited to be meeting these new people and just do the best that I can and I know I’ll be fine,” she said.

Each participant will be awarded a medal, as Evans felt everyone should be rewarded just for crossing the finish line. Registrations for the half marathon, 10 km, 5 km and 2 km family fun run will be taken up until Friday night.

 

dwilson@panow.com

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