UNITY--Step Up for Mental Health event was initiated in 2019. A number of residents and former residents of the Press-Herald readership area took part in the Cameco Step Up for Mental Health marathon held in Saskatoon Sept. 23.
A group from Fitness Lair took part in the 5 km leg of the Cameco event.
“Mental health is something everyone needs to be aware of,” one of the participants, Sandra Wagner says of her first-time marathon experience.
“Our group did not collectively decide to participate together, but it’s what encouraged me to take part.”
Wagner also adds, “I did the 2021 Step Up event virtually and the 2022 event in person so it was a fun experience to be part of. Anyone who is able to take part, as you can walk and not have to run, at least the 5 km.”
“Mental Health is an incredibly important cause, and something I have seen affect people close to me, especially within the last year,” former Unity resident and now University of Saskatchewan student, Megan Brown, says.
Brown said when friend, Abby Rutley, approached her about running the 10 km race she had some hesitations because she had never done anything like this before, but it was for an important cause important so she decided to do it.
Brown enlisted her boyfriend, Karson Blanchette and joined other former Unity residents, Abby Rutley, Kabri Rutley and Piper Mackie in their endeavour.
“I have never participated in the Step Up For Mental Health marathon before, but after Sept. 24, I think it will be something I do every year from now on,” adds Brown.
“This was my first ever marathon event and it was a lot of fun. Before we started, they mentioned there were almost 7,000 participants running on Sunday and they had raised over $600,000. It felt good to be a part of such an important cause.”
UCHS alumnus and current RN in Saskatoon, Lauren Wallace, ran her first marathon, taking on the 21 km event.
“I started running more regularly in May and kind of just did it for fun,” Wallace says of her experience.
“A friend told me about this run and I thought it was something I’d be able to accomplish if I worked at longer distance running for a couple months over the summer.”
Wallace echoed other participants who remarked on the fun and supportive Step Up atmosphere that brimmed with energy and motivation for those taking part. Live entertainment, including performers and music, were along the route.
“I’ll never forget the feeling of crossing the finishing line knowing all my hard work had paid off. I’ll definitely be doing it next year,” exclaims Wallace.
Registrants could sign up to run or walk five- or 10-kilometre events or run the half marathon of 21K. The course was located along the beautiful Saskatoon River valley.
Current Unity resident, Gerald Hauta, says of his experience, “We did the walk to support mental health as there is not enough support for those who suffer mental health issues. Myself, my wife Diane and our daughter Stephanie participated in the 10 km walk. We had participated during Covid but that year we just walked around Unity.”
Hauta said he and his wife have taken part in the Queen City marathon in the past, with their children participating the kid’s event. They also took part in the annual Candace Heitt memorial run In Unity during its time there. Hauta says the Step Up event was an enjoyable walk-through downtown Saskatoon.
While the intention of the event is raising funds for mental health organizers affirm that speaking up to end the stigma is also an important component.
100% of registration fees are matched by Cameco raising money for mental health projects and programs in dozens of Saskatchewan communities.
