Warm weather adds challenge for Saskatchewan Marathon runners

But posting a strong time isn’t his only concern. With temperatures expected to reach more than 30 C , Briant said staying healthy in the heat will be just as important as keeping pace.

“I’m just hoping not to end up with heat exhaustion,” he said. “It’s supposed to be around 20 C by 8 a.m. With a competition like this, your adrenaline’s up, you’re pumped, you think you’re invincible – and then people crash.”

Briant said parts of the course will still test him physically and mentally, especially a gradual incline near the end of the 21.1 kilometre half-marathon route.

“It’s going to be hot and you’re going to be exhausted by then,” he said. “I’m not looking forward to that part, but it always feels good when you finish – just knowing you accomplished it.”

Briant added having a training partner has made a major difference in preparing for the race.

“It always helps when you run with somebody,” he said. “Jordan and I balance each other out. When I start to crash, he picks me up, and when he starts to crash, I pick him up. If you get too much into your own head, you might just quit.”

As race day approaches, Briant is encouraging runners to come prepared with plenty of water and sun protection.

“Last year, a couple of people went down with heat exhaustion,” he said. “One guy must have had heat stroke because they had to bring an ambulance for him. Once it gets to that point, it’s scary. It’s better not to finish than to get seriously sick because things can get bad fast.”

The 2026 Saskatchewan Marathon, celebrating its 48th year, offers events for runners of all levels. Participants can choose from the FAMILY FOCUS EYECARE 2K, Craven SPORT Services 5K, 10K, Eb’s Source for Adventure 21.1K, and the Brainsport 42.2K marathon. It is also a qualifier for the Boston Marathon & AbbottWMM MTT qualifier (42.2 km).

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

Warm weather adds challenge for Saskatchewan Marathon runners

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