Thousands of runners prepare for Sunday’s Saskatchewan Marathon

Thousands of runners are getting set to compete in one of Saskatchewan’s biggest marathons this weekend.

The Saskatchewan Marathon held in Saskatoon features eight different races ranging from a two-kilometer race to a full marathon at 42.2 kilometers. Amy Wall, a volunteer captain for the marathon explained what this event is.

“The Saskatchewan Marathon is one of the longest-running marathons in Canada,” said Wall. “(It) is a very large race within Saskatchewan that sees, we’re over 3000 people registered for this weekend.”

This is the most contestants the marathon has ever seen, and runners aren’t just from within Saskatchewan.

“People come from all across Canada just to run the marathon,” said Wall. “We’re a nice flat course, pretty cool weather still here in May so people come from all over.”

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If you are on the fence about if you want to participate in one of the races, Wall explained why people should lace up their running shoes and sign up.

“The Saskatchewan Marathon is such a fun event, there is something for everybody,” said Wall. “We have opportunities for elites to race for that personal best record, or to qualify for Boston (Marathon), or we have lots of people who are running for the first time.”

There are also walking options for people as well.

The marathon tries to stay alongside the South Saskatchewan river for as much as possible, but it will cause some disruptions on the street.

Traffic restrictions have already been put in place and they start as early as 5 a.m. and go as late as 1 p.m.

The roads below are the ones that will see the restrictions:

• McPherson Avenue from Taylor Street E to 8th Street E
• St Henry Avenue from Diefenbaker Park Road to Lorne Avenue
• Victoria Avenue NB lanes from 8th Street E to 19th Street E
• Taylor Street E from Lorne Avenue to Victoria Avenue
• Eastlake Avenue from Ruth Street E to Taylor Street E
• Victoria Avenue NB lanes from Taylor Street E to 8th Street E
• Traffic Bridge from 11th Street E to 19th Street E
• Spadina Crescent E NB lanes from 20th Street E to Pinehouse Drive
• Spadina Crescent W from Power Road to Schuyler Street