As a sales director, Andrew Down spends a lot of time in front of a computer on video calls with customers and colleagues. He’s always looking for ways to connect in-person with more members of the Saskatoon business community — so when he saw an advertisement on Instagram for a networking run club hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Down reached out to the head of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce asking if something similar could get off the ground in the Bridge City.
Chamber CEO Jason Aebig was quick to get on board and soon the pair were working on logistics of what would become Saskatoon’s Networking Run Club.
“There’s networking breakfast, lunches and those kinds of events, but we’ve never really had something like this,” Down says.
Networking Run Club held its first run in July and will keep going throughout the winter. It meets Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. at the YWCA with participants running five kilometres together. Runners can use YWCA lockers and showers at no cost and water is provided by the Chamber.
You don’t need to be a Chamber member — or even part of the business community — to join. “We just want to capture people who are in the downtown area and want to join us for 30 to 35 minutes at lunch time,” Down says.
Here’s what you need to know about the club.
What: Networking Run Club is a social running group that sees members run 5km together at roughly a six-minute-per-kilometre pace over the lunch hour.
When: The group meets Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. and typically wraps up by 12:40 p.m.
Where: Attendees meet outside the YWCA on 25th Street East (look for the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce banner). Runners can access the YWCA locker rooms and showers at no charge by letting reception know they are part of the club. Parking at the YWCA is free.
Who: Networking Run Club is open to anyone who wants to be part of a social run club over their lunch hour and is not limited to members of the business community. There’s certainly shop talk, but also plenty of running chatter. No registration is required.
While the club has seen a mix of new and more experienced runners, Down says a focus has been on helping newer runners feel supported. During one particularly memorable gathering, the group paced a newer runner to his first sub-30-minute five kilometre. “It was really cool to have a supportive group of experienced runners helping someone new achieve their goal,” Down says.
Learn more: Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce members can get club updates via the Chamber’s weekly newsletter (local business owners can sign up online). Anyone who wants more information can reach out to Down by email at adown@vendasta.com.
