The cause is worthwhile and someone will be getting dunked.聽
The Estevan Police Service Half Marathon online registration desk is open and the run鈥檚 organizer Terina Shaw has accepted a challenge from police Chief Paul Ladouceur to complete the 21 km course in one hour and 55 minutes or less. If she succeeds, she gets to dunk the chief in the dunk tank that will be located near the start of the finish line at the new track by the Estevan Comprehensive School. If she doesn鈥檛,聽 Ladouceur gets to send her to the dunk tank, not the drunk tank.聽
Shaw, an experienced distance runner, has competed in other half marathons in Las Vegas and Regina, supporting other worthy causes through pledges. Her recent time in the Regina Police Service half-marathon was just under one hour and 59 minutes.聽
鈥淪o I have to do some serious training, and I鈥檓 a little scared because I don鈥檛 know how much time I鈥檒l have to work on my time,鈥� said Shaw, who said the idea struck her that the local police service could probably benefit by holding their own half-marathon.聽
鈥淲hile I was running in those other events, I was thinking 鈥榳hy am I not able to support an Estevan event and collect pledges for a local cause,鈥欌�� she said.
So she wants 200 or more runners to join her on Oct. 4 and join in the fun with their own challenges as well as pledges and sponsorships.聽
All funds raised will be used to purchase Saskatchewan Summer Games admission tickets for young people.聽
鈥淒epending on how much we can raise, the tickets might聽 involve a general admission plus a food concession voucher or a coupon to purchase a Summer Games souvenir,鈥� said Ladouceur. If it鈥檚 really successful, the offer could include admission for family groups. 聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e opening it up to three-person relay teams as well,鈥� said Shaw. 鈥淓ach runner does 7 km then tags the next runner who takes on the next seven,鈥� she said.聽
鈥淭he purpose for this half marathon is two-fold,鈥� said Ladouceur. 鈥淔irst, it gives the police service an opportunity to connect with the community while promoting the well-小蓝视频 of our city and secondly, it will allow us to support local youth and show them we care about them and we, and they, can give back to the community while everyone has a little fun in supporting the 2016 Summer Games that are 小蓝视频 held right here in Estevan.鈥澛�
The two organizers said the Games provide a unique opportunity to do a little team-building within the community.聽
鈥淚 think we鈥檒l probably be challenging the Estevan Fire Rescue team, for one, and maybe the Weyburn Police Service, if they can get three runners for a relay run. I know EPS will have a few runners either as individual participants or part of the relay team,鈥� said Ladouceur. Regina Police Service might also return the favour by sending some runners with pledges to the Estevan event since EPS and Estevan runners like Shaw have supported RPS half-marathons in the past.聽
鈥淚f we can raise some funds, we get to send young people to the Games who wouldn鈥檛 otherwise be able to attend. If we can purchase some general admission tickets or get a package from the Summer Games committee, we鈥檒l do it. It could be great stuff, having our young people observing other young people who will be competing on the tracks and at other venues around the city during the Games,鈥� said the police chief.聽
Shaw said she has already received a promise from three local politicians, who have agreed to form a relay team together in the form of MP Ed Komarnicki, 小蓝视频 Doreen Eagles and Mayor Roy Ludwig.聽
The organizers, led by Shaw, are hoping to receive some sponsorship assistance from local businesses and the plans include a barbecue for the runners, their family and friends, following the race.聽
鈥淣aturally, we鈥檒l start the marathon at the new track at ECS and we have a course mapped out that will take them through the streets of Estevan, sticking to the north side of the railway tracks,鈥� said Shaw.聽
To register as a solo runner or relay team, visit the Running Room website. Click on Races聽 then Sask and register after clicking on the Estevan icon.聽
More information may be obtained by contacting Shaw at [email protected] Ladouceur at [email protected]
One thing is sure 鈥� somebody will be getting wet.聽
