Skip to content

Okotoks runners cope with COVID-19 restrictions

“When I think about running it’s almost like an escape. You’re free to do it anytime and anywhere. With all this COVID going around, I have the freedom to go and run. It’s something that I can do.'
SPORTS-Cross-country JD 9698 web
From left: Cadence Laplante, Riley Neukom, and Sydney Neukom jog in Laudan Park on March 23.

COVID-19 regulations have the Okotoks Track and Cross-Country club adjusting to a new way of operating with over 30 runners gathering only in groups of 10.

They have been practising outdoors with only eight runners and two coaches per session, explained Mark Toombs, one of the clubs three volunteer coaches.

“There were a lot of indoor rules that were harder to manage with greater distancing and all that kind of stuff, so we came outside in March and have just been managing the weather,” he said, noting they would typically practice indoors from November until the beginning of April.

They started practice at the Crescent Point Regional Field House in November but had to shut down after about five to six weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions. They resumed practice indoors in the new year and started outdoors after February.

“My biggest thing is I just want it to be fun for the kids,” said Toombs. “If it’s fun for the kids, then they listen well and they’ll become better runners. Running is something you can do for life.”

Practices are a little shorter, but the time the coaches spend with the runners is much longer as they’ve had to split their regular practice into three different sessions, explained Toombs.

“I miss having the whole team together," he said. "I miss the fact that they’re missing out on their events. I miss that because I like seeing them succeed.”

It’s also hard to challenge the runners and get them trained up to competition level when they can’t have races, Toombs added.

Riley Neukom joined the club in Grade 7 when the club first began. Now in Grade 11, she hopes to compete in the provincial championships next year, COVID-19 restrictions permitting. Without any races, she finds it hard to find that competitive spirit when she can’t run against others in the province.

“When running actually had shut down in November because of the restrictions, it was definitely hard for me to find motivation. When we started up again, I was definitely happy to be running,” she said.

When the COVID-19 shutdowns first started, the runners began meeting on Zoom each week to check up on each other and challenge each another with outdoor exercises for small prizes like shoelaces.

“Those Zoom calls were just so amazing, just to see everyone’s face and to see how everyone was doing. I was really grateful that happened,” Neukom said. “The running group is definitely one big support that I’ve had during this past year. We’re all one big family.”

Rianna Weisgerber, Grade 10, started with the club two years ago, and for her, it’s not just about the running.

“It’s more than that. I’ve had the opportunity to build such great friendships. And those people that I’m with, the other runners, I consider them to be true friends because they’re people that I’m just so happy around,” said Weisgerber.

She is disappointed that she no longer gets to see everyone because of the smaller groups.

“I really enjoy being at the places that make me happy, like running practice and at school, so when we have to be at home and there’s less social interaction, that’s definitely hard,” she said.

For Weisgerber, running is her way to let go of stress and find refreshment and freedom.

“When I think about running it’s almost like an escape. You’re free to do it anytime and anywhere. With all this COVID going around, I have the freedom to go and run. It’s something that I can do,” she added. “It’s like a freedom sport. You can do it whenever you want to.”

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks