Step Up for Mental Health ‘bigger and better than ever’ in 2023

Cameco’s fifth annual mental health run and walk is back for 2023, and organizers promise it will be “bigger and better than ever.”

The fifth annual Cameco Step Up for Mental Health Run/Walk returns to Saskatoon on Sept. 24, with runners taking on the five-kilometre, 10-kilometre or new half-marathon distances to raise funds for the Cameco Fund for Mental Health. Since 2019, the event has raised more than $1.5 million.

“Step Up for Mental Health is an event like no other in our community,” Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel said in a statement.

“The energy at last year’s event was indescribable, with thousands of runners and walkers showing that mental health is a priority for them and their loved ones. I can’t wait to bring this incredible event back to Saskatchewan and build on this momentum. We are not only raising funds for important community initiatives in our province, but by coming together we are helping erase the stigma around mental health.”

The event is sanctioned by Saskatchewan Athletics, and will serve as the Saskatchewan championship in all three distances, Cameco said in a statement.

New routes will take runners and walkers through the centre of Saskatoon, starting at Prairieland Park and ending downtown along the river.

Registration costs $50 for a limited time, and more information is available online. All of the registration fees will be matched by Cameco and donated to the fund.

Last year’s event sold out with 4,500 participants, Cameco noted, and this year the goal is to increase that number to 8,000.