
2026 Pace Team Application
Become a SaskMarathon Pacer & Help Runners Reach Their Goals!
Do you love supporting other runners, keeping a steady pace, and bringing great energy to race day? We are looking for enthusiastic and reliable pacers to join the Saskatchewan Marathon team for this year's event!
Pacers plays an important role in helping participants stay motivated, manage their race strategy, and cross the finish line feeling strong. If you enjoy encouraging others and running at a consistent pace, this is a fantastic way to give back to the running community.
Meet the 2026 Pacer
5K
DISTANCE: 5K
My name is Travis and I am the 25 minute 5km pacer. I have competed in various road, trail and cross country races over the years. This will be my second year as a pacer at the Sask Marathon race. On race day the plan is to settle into a 5km/minute pace and arrive back at the finish line at the 25 minute mark. I look forward to helping runners achieve their running goals again this year.

DISTANCE: 5K
Hi, my name is Doris and I'm excited to be the 30 minute 5km pacer. It is my second time as a pacer for the Sask Marathon this year and I look forward to meeting other 5k runners. I'm excited to help runners achieve their running goals or new personal bests. I am honoured to be able to contribute to the running community by becoming a pacer!
DISTANCE: 5k
pace: 6:50
My name is Karen Wharington from North Battleford. I ran my first marathon in Sept 1989 as a Saskatoon Road Runners member, after running 4 years with the club for 10K and ½ marathons. There were only 3 females in the marathon at that time, and I had the privilege of running with a lady from Pennsylvania that was doing all the Canadian provinces. She kept me under control and I finished in 3:44:50. It is so great to see so many female marathon runners every year! I’ve since ran another 26 marathons, including Boston. I support the Saskatoon Road Runners and after years of racing, decided it was time to give back by volunteering on the course, or the last years as a pace bunny for the 10k and 5k. I am honored to be back this year, and plan to run splits about 6:50 per km to give us some room at the end.

DISTANCE: 5K
10K

DISTANCE: 10K
My name is Matt Ferrier and I am the 50 minute 10 Km pacer!
I have recently got back into running and pacing, with 2 years back-to-back pacing at the Saskatchewan Marathon. It is a huge point of pride for me to come very close, if not bang on, with my pace time. To achieve that, I like to run a consistent pace throughout the race. For me, that will look like running 5 minute kilometres, or just under, for the first 9 kilometres and then making any slight adjustments in the last kilometre. I absolutely love pacing and I look forward to May 25th and hopefully helping some more people achieve their goals!

DISTANCE: 10K
My name is Ashley and I’ll be pacing the 55min 10K. I’ve been participating in the Sask Marathon for the last 20 years in all distances and as a pace bunny numerous times. I’m a mom of 2 boys, instructor at Motion Fitness, avid CrossFitter, and these days, a more ‘casual’ runner.
My goal for race day is to maintain a fairly steady pace throughout but allow a little extra wiggle room for some quick water breaks and the slight inclines they like to throw at us throughout the course (especially at the end). Bring your energy and fastest running shoes, I’ll bring the music and together we will work towards that finish line!

DISTANCE: 10K
Hello! My name is Heather Hubbard and I am the 1:00 pace bunny for this year. I have been pacing at the Saskatchewan Marathon for over 10 years. I have done everything from the 1:50 half to the 2:20 and some years I pace the 10km.
Fun race day running hack - get your most loved people to add a song to your running playlist (don't check it and see what it is!) that will make you think of them and then when it plays while you run it's a nice surprise and you have all your fav people alongside you :)

DISTANCE: 10K
Whether its your first 10K or your fiftieth, I’m your biggest hype girl on the course! I love helping runners push past their limits, celebrate every milestone, and cross the finish line feeling strong.
I’ve run many 10Ks, half marathons, and a full, with Jasper and Edinburgh being two of my favourites. Race day is about more than just the clock - it’s about energy, determination, and community.
My strategy? A steady pace just under 7:00 min/km, giving us a buffer to finish just before 1:10. It’s a comfortable, achievable effort that keeps us moving strong while leaving room for a final push.
Let us run together, crush those goals, and make race day unforgettable!

DISTANCE: 10K
My name is Jerry Demeria. I am the 1:20 - 10K pacer. I have been a half marathon or 10K pacer in the Sask. Marathon for over 10 years. I am usually able to come in very close to my pace time. I have run 26 full marathons, well over 100 half marathons, and lots of 5 and 10 Km races.
On race morning, I will run 10-1’s and we likely will be a minute or so ahead of our pace at the 5 Km mark, so we will have a bit of time in the bank. I will lose that minute on the back half. You can hang with me and come in at 1:20, or leave me in your dust if you are feeling “fast”.
I like to help others achieve their goal pace, and be able to give back to the running community.
Half Marathon

DISTANCE: 21.1K
PACE: 4:55 - 5:00
My name is Werner "June" Fetesio. I am the 1:45 - 21.1km pacer. This is my 2nd year as a pacer for Saskatchewan marathon. I have started running during pandemic of 2020. I have completed dozens of marathons and participated to pace full and half marathons. On the race day, it will be a steady pace around 4:55-5:00min/km. Happy to help to achieve your goal time! Happy training!

DISTANCE: 21.1K
PACE: 5:41
My name is Michael Dahlman, I am your two hour half marathon pacer.
I have completed countless half marathons, 16 marathons, a bunch of ultras and a couple 100 km + races. I have completed NY, Berlin, Chicago and Sydney for major marathons. Typically when I pace a group I run at a straight pace and slow down enough to slow down slightly at every hydration table - then get back up to our goal pace.
The goal will be to run an average 5:41/km with enough buffer to get everyone near the finish to "drain the gas tank" and complete well under two hours. I love seeing people push their limits and hit these major goals. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish this May.

DISTANCE: 21.1K
PACE: 6:00 - 6:10
My name is Kessa and this will be my fourth year involved in the SaskMarathon! Last year I completed the full marathon with one goal: run the whole thing under 4 hours. My race day strategy this year is to have the MOST fun on the course: Positivity, encouragement and enthusiasm will be the energy throughout every kilometre with me!
I try my best to run at a consistent pace, so each kilometre I pass on the course will be between 6:00-6:10 min/km!
If you’re trying to hit your personal best or just enjoy an easy run, I cannot wait to race alongside you!

DISTANCE: 21.1K
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DISTANCE: 21.1K
I’m 58 years old, married, and my wife Heather is also a runner. My first official event was the Moonlight Run 6K in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2004, and I didn’t run my first 10K until the Stars/Ignite 10K in Regina in 2019. I started training solo for my first half marathon during the winter of 2021 as a way to stay sane during the COVID lockdowns, and ended up running that first half on my own in –27°C in Pilot Butte, finishing in 1:58:17. Over the past few years, Heather and I have run the Women’s Run for Mental Health in Saskatoon (both the 5K and 10K), Melissa’s 10K in Banff in 2024, and the Royal Victoria Half Marathon, where I paced Heather through her first half to a 2:29:04. I also ran the First Responders Half in Saskatoon in 2024 and 2025, and completed my first full marathon in April 2025 at the Gopher Attack in Regina with a time of 4:10:44. I’ve run the Queen City Half Marathon three years in a row, and in 2025 everything clicked - I ran the race of my life, setting a personal best by more than five minutes with a 1:44:32, finishing 150th out of 1,152 runners.
For pacing the 2:30 half in May, my strategy is to keep the group relaxed for the first 3K - steady breathing, loose shoulders, controlled effort - to settle the adrenaline. After that, I encourage runners not to obsess over their watches, to stay with me, and to take their gels according to their plan. I aim to run 2–3 seconds per kilometre faster than goal pace to build a small cushion for hills and any GPS discrepancies.
Full Marathon

DISTANCE: 42.2k

DISTANCE: 42.2K
Hi! My name is Chris Wong and I’ll be pacing the 3:30 marathon group this year. I have run 24 marathons, and will be running my 8th Boston Marathon in April. I was born and raised in Saskatoon, but live in Colorado now. So I’ll be making use of the oxygenated air of Saskatoon to encourage everybody to do their best!
For the marathon pacing plan, I’ve found my best results have come from keeping an even pace and splits. Everybody runs a little extra distance during a race from navigating aid stations and other people, so I’ll target a pace of 4:55/km and hitting the half at just under 1hr 45min. But not by much. I have found more success from being able to push the last half of the race, rather than holding on to banked time. I’m hoping to be a helpful resource for folks looking to hit 3:30!

DISTANCE: 42.2k
Pace: 5:20/km
My name is Andrea, and I’ll be your 3:45 marathon pacer.
Running has been a huge part of my life — I’ve raced everything from 5Ks to 100Ks, and I’ve spent a lot of time running alongside others, helping friends and athletes pace their way through half marathons and marathons.
For race day, our goal will be to stay steady right from the start. We’ll aim to hold an average pace of 5:20/km, with a small buffer built in to keep us comfortably on track for a sub-3:45 finish. We’ll start controlled, stay patient, and gradually settle into rhythm — because the marathon always rewards those who respect the distance early.
I’ll keep things consistent through aid stations and help guide the group so we’re not burning matches too soon. When we hit that final 10K, we’ll be in a strong position to dig deep and finish confidently.
My goal is to keep you relaxed, focused, and enjoying the experience along the way. We’ll run smart, support each other, and get you across that finish line under 3:45.

DISTANCE: 42.2k
pace: 5:41
Hello! My name is Kyle Touet and for the second year in a row I’ll be your 4:00 marathon pacer. It’s OK, I know you’re shooting for 3:59… and that’s fantastic!
I live just a quick jog from Saskatoon in Warman with my wife and three beautiful daughters. My focus lately has been on ultramarathon distances on the trails, but I still very much enjoy running road marathons! My plan will be to maintain a consistent 5:41min/km pace throughout, hitting the half-way point at 2 hours and carrying on with plenty of enthusiasm and words of encouragement to get us to the finish line on time… or maybe even a few seconds earlier!
As always, I’m looking forward to helping others achieve their goals this year and would love to see you sprinting ahead of me at the finish!

“Flamingo Legs”
DISTANCE: 42.2K

DISTANCE: 42.2k
PACE: 6:23/KM
Hi there! My name is James and I’m excited to be joining the Sask Marathon pacing team for the first time. I live in Warman, but I grew up in Saskatoon, so the local running community and this marathon in particular are near to my heart. I got into running about 10 years ago as a way to stay fit and healthy, and I honestly never thought I would run anything like a full marathon. But cut to this year and I’m back running the 42.2k event at Sask for my third time.
As the 4:30 pacer, I anticipate that many of the people running near me may be attempting their first full marathon. If so, let tell you right now that you can do this! But whether you’re new to the event or a returning veteran of the course, I hope to be a focal point for those who prefer a nice, reasonable speed. I plan to keep a consistent pace just under 6:23/km. In flat, straightforward sections of the course, I aim to run just a bit faster than this to compensate for any slow-down at hills and drink stations. It will be a full morning, but we will do it together. I hope to have a lot of people running with me, but I'll be even happier to see people passing me.
Running is a different journey for everyone, with many ups and downs. No matter where you find yourself in that journey as you train for this full marathon, I hope that you feel immensely proud of each step you take along the way. If you find yourself running near me on race day then it will be my goal to bring you over the finish line just under 4:30, and to give you the motivation you need as we go!
Walking

DISTANCE: 5K Walk

DISTANCE: 10K Walk

DISTANCE: 10K Walk

DISTANCE: 21.1K Walk
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