Day 32 at a Glance:

Distance Ran Today: 36.5 km
Total Distance Ran: 1,597 km
Projected Total Distance to Run: 1,597 km (our original estimate was 1,577 km)
Progress: 100% complete🎉
Remaining Distance: 0 km

When we first mapped this route, we estimated it would be about 1,577 kilometres.

By the time I reached the Saskatchewan–Montana border, it had grown to 1,597 kilometres.

I was curious to know how many marathons that worked out to.

The answer surprised me.

Thirty-eight.

Since we started last month, I had run the equivalent of 38 marathons.

Day 31 At a Glance

Distance Ran Today: 65 km
Total Distance Ran: 1,560.5 km
Projected Total Distance to Run: ~1,597 km (our original estimate was 1577 km)
Progress: ~97.7% complete
Remaining Distance: ~36.5 km

Tomorrow will be my final day on this adventure.

There was something different about waking up this morning.

For about a month, every day had begun the same way: wake up, eat breakfast, tape whatever needed taping, lace up my shoes, and head south. But today carried a different feeling. We had finally reached Saskatchewan's southwest corner, Grasslands National Park was waiting for us, and after today there would be just one final day of running left on the route.

Day 30 At a Glance:

• Distance Ran Today: 58 km

• Total Distance Ran: 1,495.5 km

• Projected Total Distance to Run: ~1,593 km

• Progress: ~94% complete

• Remaining Distance: ~97.5 km

There are now fewer than 100 kilometres left.

That feels a little strange to write.

For nearly a month now, life has been beautifully simple: wake up, tape whatever needs taping, eat breakfast, say good morning to Frogger and Gnome, run until supper, then do it all again the next day. Somewhere along the way this became normal life.

Distance Ran Today: 63 km
Total Distance Ran: ~1,437.5 km
Projected Total Distance to Run: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~91.6% complete
Remaining Distance: ~132.5 km

The trains made sure nobody slept particularly well Sunday night.

The campground in Morse was nice, but I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say freight trains rolled by what we all agreed was every 30 to 60 minutes. By morning it was a chilly 8°C, and after many panicky moments where I thrashed in my sleeping bag for fear my tent was on the train tracks, I was happy to get moving again.

Day 28 at a Glance:

Distance Ran Today: 52.5 km
Total Distance Ran: ~1,374.5 km
Projected Total Distance to Run: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~87.5% complete
Remaining Distance: ~195.5 km

Darryn's weather report wasn't wrong.

We woke up on Dylan's lawn at Palliser Regional Park to a windy, rainy morning. The tent was noticeably wetter than most mornings, and our quilt had picked up a fair bit of moisture too. Fortunately, nothing a little prairie wind and sunshine couldn't fix later in the day.

After a quick coffee, some snacks, and a visit with Dylan at his family cabin, Chad and I headed off to retrieve Gnome and Froggie before getting the day started.

Distance Ran Today: 59 km
Total Distance Ran: ~1,322 km
Projected Total Distance to Run: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~84.2% complete
Remaining Distance: ~248 km

Another sunny Saskatchewan morning greeted us when we woke up. The weather couldn't have been much better, and after several weeks on the road I've learned not to take these bluebird days for granted. My shin splints were making themselves known first thing in the morning, but there were lots of people joining us throughout the day and I was looking forward to seeing everyone.

Distance Ran Today: 59 km
Total Distance Ran: ~1,263 km
Projected Total Distance to Run: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~80.4% complete
Remaining Distance: ~307 km

I started the day running near Ardath and finished north of Birsay, covering 59 kilometres through rolling prairie, coulees, gravel roads, and open farmland.

Distance Today: 55 km
Total Distance Completed: ~1,204 km
Projected Total Distance: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~76.7% complete
Remaining Distance: ~366 km

After a shorter day yesterday and another wake up at Pike Lake Campground, it felt good to get back to a full day of running.

Distance Today: 10 km
Total Distance Completed: ~1,149 km
Projected Total Distance: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~73.2% complete
Remaining Distance: ~421 km

Today was less about running and more about heading into Saskatoon to see my students and friends at St. Michael Community School where I taught and worked as a Learning Assistance Teacher in Saskatoon.

Distance Today: 61 km
Total Distance Completed: ~1,139 km
Projected Total Distance: ~1,570 km
Progress: ~72.5% complete
Remaining Distance: ~431 km

After camping at Langham last night, I woke up knowing I would likley finish the Central Section of Saskatchewan and officially begin the South today.

This morning started at Langham Campground with a little bit of trail-side maintenance.

Sandy once again stepped into her role as trail nurse, helping tape up my shin before we packed up camp and headed out for another day on the road.

Distance Today: 59 km
Total Distance Completed: 1,078 km
Projected Total Distance: 1,570 km
Progress: 68.7% complete
Remaining Distance: ~492 km

After spending the night at Fort Carlton, I woke to a pleasantly cool Saskatchewan morning and stepped out of my tent to another beautiful day.

It was a sunny day with a pleasant breeze and a high of 24°Celcius later in the afternoon.

Before we headed out, I had the chance to spend some time talking about the run with Dylan at camp. I’m glad he’s been able to stick around.

Distance Today: 55 km
Total Distance Completed: 1,019 km
Projected Total Distance: 1,570 km
Progress: 64.9% complete
Remaining Distance: 551 km

I woke up after a warm night of camping in Shellbrook to another beautiful Saskatchewan day.

The temperature would eventually reach 24°C, but a steady breeze kept things comfortable throughout much of the run. Blue skies, green parkland, and quiet backroads made for a wonderful day to continue heading south.

The morning began with a special reunion.

Lauren, one of my dear friends from my school days, arrived from Yorkton to spend the day with our crew.

Distance: 54.5 km
Total Distance: 964.0 km
Progress: 61.4% complete
Remaining Distance: 606 km
Camp: Shellbrook Campground

Tracker Note: Some readers may notice a gap in my live tracking today. Although I ran every kilometre of the route, we are experiencing technical difficulties with the tracking app and the route was not fully recorded online. We hope to have the issue resolved soon.

Twenty days into this journey, today's story was less about kilometres and more about family, friends and community.

Distance: 54.5 km
Route: Waskesiu to Sturgeon Lake Regional Park
Weather: High 24°C, Low 12°C
Road Conditions: Pavement, trail, and gravel roads
Wildlife: Elk and bears
Physical State: Strong
Mood: Grateful and reflective
Memorable Moment: Realizing I had left northern Saskatchewan behind.

Before getting into today's run, I need to share a photo that should have made yesterday's update.

Distance: 64.1 km
Route: Timber Bay to Waskesiu area
Weather: Cool, windy morning with periods of rain, cloud and sun
Road Conditions: Gravel roads and pavement
Wildlife: A sow black bear and three cubs
Memorable Moment: Arriving in Waskesiu to find a surprise welcome sign waiting for me thanks to Outter Limits!

The day began at our campsite near Montreal Lake after a windy night beside the water. The tents held up well, but there wasn't much sleeping in with gusty winds and cool temperatures hovering around 10°C.

By 6:30 a.m., everyone was emerging from tents, making coffee, packing gear, and getting ready for another day on the road.

Distance: 64 km
Route: Wild camp east of Montreal Lake to near Timber Bay
Weather: Sunny and warm, temperatures in the mid-20s
Road Conditions: Beautiful sandy secondary roads through burn scar and trapping country
Wildlife: Bear tracks, moose tracks, and one bear sighting
Memorable Moment: Running through Molanosa, the geographic centre of Saskatchewan

There is something satisfying about simplifying.

This morning started with what the crew called a "shake down." With another crew preparing to take over soon, we went through all of my gear and supplies and asked a simple question: what do I actually need?

Three large gear bins became two. Three food bins became one.

Distance: 55 km
Route: La Ronge to a wild camp on the road toward Molanosa
Weather: Hot and sunny, reaching over 27°C
Road Conditions: Dirt backroads leaving La Ronge, Highway 2 pavement, then beautiful sandy secondary roads toward Montreal Lake
Wildlife: Three black bears - one large adult, one smaller adult, and a tiny cub
Memorable Moment: Leaving La Ronge behind and spending the afternoon on quiet sandy roads surrounded by northern forest

There are days on a long run that are difficult to explain because nothing dramatic happens.

No storms. No setbacks. No major challenges.

Just a really good day.

Distance: 68 km
Route: Purdy Lake to the gnome near the Highway 102 junction
Weather: Three proper soakings, alternating between warm sunshine and chilly rain
Road Conditions: Excellent. Finished Highway 905 South and continued south on Highway 105
Wildlife: Rabbit, eagle, and a tiny bear cub
Physical State: Strong in the morning, slower in the afternoon with some shin pain
Mood: Tired but grateful
Memorable Moment: Finishing the entire northern section of the route and picking up the gnome after 671.9 kilometres

There are days on a long run that feel meaningful while they're happening.

Today was one of them.

Distance: 52 km
Weather: High of 27 °C. Sunny blue skies and less wind than yesterday.

After a few challenging days, today felt different.

The sun was shining, the wind had settled down, and my legs didn’t hurt nearly as much as they have been.

I started the morning at Hailstorm Lake and ran with blue skies and some of my favourite people.

We finished the run today at Brabant Lake.

Today was less about pushing through and more about enjoying the road.

Distance: 53 km
Weather: High of 24°C, a mix of sun and cloud

Today started with an early morning mission.

Before meeting up with the group, I ran 4 km back to McKay Lake and picked up Mr. Gnome.

The solo kilometres were intentional. I’m so lucky to have such amazing friends willing to make the trek and to run along beside me.

I also know there will likley be stretches ahead where I will run alone.

I felt the need to do this short solo run as a way to mentally prepare myself for future solo runs.