CLUB AWARDS

Going Above and Beyond

Heidi Schmaltz and Michael Dahlman

The level of attention to detail, degree of care for the runners and participates over our season was unmatched - one of the reasons why our runners feel safe and in a positive space to run their best race with our club.

Starting right from the first event of the year they watched over and made sure our runners were safe in the coldest of conditions we have ever had for a January event. They watched over the extreme cold and paid attention to our runners to make sure everything was safe enough to continue over the seven hours of the event and six hours of the race.

Unknown in January was the theme of extreme race conditions and unforeseen circumstances for this season.

Through out the year these two will pace, give up their time to setup and organize other events as well as simply support by hanging out at the finish line to give people a chance to take a break or block off a corner that doesn't quite stop runners like a pylon does.

The Canada Goose Ultra ended up being another test of the integrity and safety of our runners. They watched over our runners for over 20 hours. They cared and worked around the event starting at 4am for setup, to the cancellation of the event at 6pm - due to smoke. Eventually there was support coming back to the race site to watch over any runners who were still going at midnight.

Along with Wanda and the other support some runners had, they cared for our runners over and above the 6 hours after the race was cancelled. The circumstances around this race was a first and we hope to not have such an extreme weather event again. However their attention to detail and care for our runners throughout the year was what made this award go to such well deserved winners.

These two are not just strong support members for our running community and events - they are both very strong and accomplished runners. You will always find them cutting back on a course and supporting any runners who are struggling medically, mentally or just need a buddy to run with back of the pack during a Park Run or an impromptu group run when they see people they know at an event or random run on a Sunday morning. If a game of tag needs to be started during an event or parkrun - you know where to start.

Congrats to these two and we hope their infectious positive attitude and leadership pushes our running community and club for years to come!

Club Builder

Wanda Bouchard-Barry

Wanda is the heart of the running community, even though she has proclaimed she is not a runner or will run...

Wanda ran her first ParkRun this year so that would make her on more step closer to losing that claim, now that she is officially a part of parkrun - she now is pretty much a part of all parts of our running community.

For over 25 years she has her pulse on almost every major event in the city with our running community. The monster of the QCM race week is something that would struggle without her guidance, leadership and everything she does to keep everyone in line.

For more years that anyone can count she has been involved with our Gopher Attack event, raising soo much for MS as well as keeping everyone in place during the organizing and eventual running of the event every April.

During the Canada Goose Ultra week and weekend, we depended on her wisdom, knowledge and guidance on what our next steps should be for our once in a lifetime event with smoke delay.

Everyone has a Wanda story of her supporting you with ice in spots that need a handful of ice or just wholesome advice and help with whatever is the need at the moment. If you ask for help, she will drop and help - or "volun-tell" Alan to come out and help or grab supplies for an event.

What we are as a community and the unwritten level of respect and   professionalism  - is in large part because of Wanda.

Congrats again and we look forward to your mentorship and help with keeping our running community in the grand shape it is in.

Most Inspirational Runner 

Melissa Burns

Many of you know Melissa as a positive, strong, and kind runner and volunteer in our trail community, but her running and endurance sport involvement has been ongoing for many years. Melissa started her running journey in 2010, with a ½ marathon in Cayman island. While she enjoyed it, it was not until 2018 as a cross fitter and 2019 as a parkrun memr that Melissa started to realize that running and training were something that really resonated with her. In 2020 she became increasingly curious about running longer distances, and completed her longest distance ever, 30km, at 2020 Cure for the Brrrrr and then later that year ran her first 50km at the inaugural Prairie nightmare backyard in Jason Hubicks own backyard surrounded by many run friends. Her increased distance, coupled with her experience as a cross fitter and obstacle racer, culminated in 2022 in finishing and relishing the Spartan Ultra 50km in Montana.

Melissa is very humble when asked about her running strengths, but it boils down to her simple persistance..“I won’t quit”, she says simply, and that is evidenced in her past season of running. Melissa had to pivot some of her run plans this year to accommodate for some  unexpected injury healing, but her commitment to the trail community ad progressing steadily in her endurance training is evident. This past year Melissa volunteered at many trail races such as BFF and Bigfoot, and crewed and supported her partner Jason at Sin7 and fellow runner Heidi S at Ironhorse Ultra. For her own adventures this year, Melissa completed the three day stage race Run the Rocks in Utah, as well as the Reesor 50 miler, where in spite of it being an extremely muddy course, she ran her 50 mile PR in tough conditions.

In spite of all these accomplishments and shared community time, as the 2025 race season wound to a close Melissa felt she still had some push in her to relish. Because she felt there was still some gas in the tank, and with a desire to push herself on beautiful trails she loved, she chose to embark on a 24 hour solo run at Sask Landing on the BFF trails. Melissa chose to do this adventure supported by some dear friends.  She states, “after the year of dealing with some  injuries, I felt I had a lot of push left, I really like to push myself mentally, so I did it for me.”

Running and giving back are core parts of Melissa’s identity, making her a relatable inspiring runner for us all. As we cannot always control how the season goes, or what injuries or challenges we have to deal with but we can still do what is in us to do, and give back to the community.

Melissa has some exciting goals for the year ahead, with 2026 being Reesor 50 miler and then Divide 200 miler as her goal races. For volunteering, Melissa looks forward to being volunteer coordinator for Sweaty Yeti, a  CO-RD at the 24 hour goose, and volunteering at BFF.

Melissa, thank you for reminding us of what matters- the community, the connections we make, and not quitting as we progress toward those long-term goals!!! As Dr Pepper is her fave long run pop, everyone raise your imaginary Dr Peppers with me as we toast to 2025 most inspiring runner, Melissa Burns!!!