Saskatchewan runners raise more than $600,000 for mental health
Cameco Step Up for Mental Health also served as the Saskatchewan provincial championships for three distances
Photo by:
Devin Friesen
The 2023 edition of the Cameco Step Up for Mental Health run and walk raised the bar on Sunday, offering runners three distances–5K, 10K, and, new this year, a half-marathon. For the first time, the races served as the Saskatchewan provincial championships for these three distances, and participants managed to raise a whopping $600,000 for community mental health initiatives.
Runners enjoyed entertainment as they ran, with seven DJs stationed along the course and a three-block stretch in downtown Saskatoon featuring performances by local cultural groups.
Third-place 5K finisher Drake Friesen loved the point-to-point course and the race atmosphere. “The competition was fast and full of so much energy–it was contagious,” he said. “All the volunteers were so amazing cheering us on the whole time, and the whole experience was one of my favourites of all time. I cannot wait for next year’s race.”
As the Saskatchewan championships, runners were recognized in four categories: overall title (male and female: 5K, 10K, half-marathon); U20 (male and female: 5K, 10K); seniors (U35 male and female: 5K, 10K, half-marathon) and masters (35+, male and female: 5K, 10K, half-marathon).
The race partnered with Prairie Run Crew, a majority Indigenous-owned running outreach program (led by runner and mental health spokesperson Tarrant Cross Child), which provided course marshaling and timing for the event.
5K results
Overall women
Angelina Beveridge-Warick 18:33
Hillary Mehlhorn 21:22
 Annika Yuzdepski 22:48
Overall men
Eamonn Kichuk 15:38
Kyle Irvine 15:54
Drake Friesen 17:43
10K results
Overall women
Kelly Miskolczi 42:33
Laura Sullivan 44:48
Ashley Hards 45:15
Overall men
Mitch McInnes 36:02
Jared Welsh 36:33
Alex Senko 37:15
Half-marathon results
Overall women
Andrea Amiot 1:33:14
Ann McKellar 1:39:00
Megan Schmidt 1:42:03
Overall men
Mike Trites 1:15:05
Tomás Quintana 1:15:12
Donald Rasmussen 1:16:30
The race also offered a virtual option for runners in all three distances. For full results, head here.
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