The North Section Is Complete! 671.9 Kilometres Down
68 km ran today; 671.9 km total
Day 15: Monday, June 8th, 2026
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.
Running through northern shield country beneath dramatic skies on the final day of the north section.
I started the morning at Purdy Lake and headed south. I was secretly hoping my body would feel good enough to run the 68 km today.
That would mean I would finish the North Section of Saskatchewan.
It would also mean I’d hit up a warm shower in Missinipe and start running the Central Saskatchewan of Saskatchewan tomorrow!
After running in rain showers, that warm shower is going to feel so good!
By lunch, I had covered the remaining stretch of Highway 905 South and reached the junction with Highway 102. After weeks of planning and more than two weeks on the road, I was finally approaching a milestone that had been quietly sitting in the back of my mind since the beginning of this journey.
The road itself was nearly perfect - just a little wet and mucky .
Three separate times, the skies opened up and completely soaked me.
One minute I was running in sunshine. The next, I was staring down dark storm clouds rolling across the northern horizon.
Running south as another wall of rain moved across the highway.
The weather created some of the most dramatic scenery I've seen so far on this run.
Can you spot the rainbow?
Northern Saskatchewan showing off its wild weather.
At times, the road looked more like a mud course than a highway.
Rain-soaked gravel and deep ruts made for an unforgettable stretch of road.
Despite the changing weather, the day was filled with good people.
Just after the junction near Southend, Pearle stopped again and made another donation toward the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada - thank you again, Pearle!!
Later, we met Drake and Sammy, who immediately asked if we knew Jack and Joey after meeting them earlier in the run.
Clarence McKenzie filmed me from his truck window and told me he thought what I was doing was pretty cool.
Then John pulled over and generously unloaded cases of water and Powerade into Charlotte's vehicle.
Moments like these continue to remind me that this journey belongs to far more people than just me.
Another meaningful moment came when I crossed into Treaty 6 Territory.
Entering Treaty 6 Territory - the homeland of the Cree, Assiniboine, Nakoda, Métis, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, and Lakota peoples!
The sign reads:
"As long as the sun shines, grass grows and rivers flow."
It felt like a fitting reminder of the deep history and enduring relationships that continue to shape this province.
Of course, no day would be complete without some wildlife.
We spotted a rabbit and an eagle, but the most memorable sighting was a tiny bear cub near the roadside.
But mama bear was nowhere in sight.
A small bear cub provided one of the day's most memorable wildlife encounters thus far.
As the kilometres accumulated, fatigue began to creep in.
Today, was one of the best feeling days of the run so far. It reminded me how running can feel when I’m not in pain.
Running alongside Jen and Charlotte made the long kilometres pass more quickly, especially during the rain showers.
Late in the day, with only a few kilometres remaining, the finish line for the northern section was finally within reach.
The weather saved one last torrential downpour for us.
We waited it out, then headed back onto the road.
And finally, after 671.9 kilometres, I arrived at the spot that had quietly become today's destination.
The gnome.
When this run began in Stony Rapids, Froggy joined the journey.
Today, after hundreds of kilometres of gravel roads, sunshine, rain showers, wildlife encounters, and incredible community support, Froggy finally met Gnome.
After 671.9 kilometres, Froggy finally reached the gnome at the end of the northern section.
The moment the northern section of the route was officially complete. It sort of caught me off guard - I thought I still had a ways to go!
And just like that, the northern section was done.
671.9 kilometres are now behind me. This felt like a milestone worth celebrating.
Although, I’ve only been running for two weeks, a lot has already happened on this adventure.
One section down.
The journey south continues tomorrow.
This update was shared two days after.
As I move south through Saskatchewan, I'm also moving through landscapes that were important to my mom.
This week, I turn 38 - the same age she was when leukemia took her life.
Running won't bring her back, but it gives me a way to honour her memory, celebrate the places she loved, and support families facing blood cancers through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you've contributed through a donation, a kind word, a cold drink, a place to rest, a message of encouragement, as a crew member, pacer, crew chief, or visitor - or simply by following along, you are helping carry this run south - one step at a time. Thank you!
