One of my favourite Saskatchewan road races is the Royal Road Race in Regina.
Run at the RCMP Training Academy on the Mother’s Day weekend, this fast and flat race features 5km and 10km events as well as a 1km Mini Mountie run for kids aged 10 and younger. I’ve run the Royal Road Race 10km three times and had a blast at each of them.
This race is capped at 700 participants across all distances and tends to sell out. But if you haven’t registered yet, you’re in luck, because there are still spots left. Here are five reasons you should sign up if you haven’t already.
It’s a unique opportunity to see Depot
Every RCMP officer across Canada starts their career with an intensive 26-week training program at Depot, the RCMP Academy in Regina. This facility is normally off limits to the public — but the doors are swung open for the Royal Road Race, with participants getting a chance to run on the grounds and hang out in the Drill Hall.
The RCMP has a big presence in the race, with cadets putting on an opening ceremony and manning water stations. Many cadets also line up to race.
It’s an awesome tuneup for the Saskatchewan Marathon weekend
If you’re running a 5km, 10km or half marathon distance at the Saskatchewan Marathon weekend on May 28, the Royal Road Race falls at a perfect time to test your race-day routine, race shoes and pace plan.
Running a 5km at the Royal Road Race is a great tuneup for a 5km or 10km at the Sask. Marathon, while the Royal Road Race 10km can be a good dress rehearsal for the 10km or half marathon distances two weeks later.
Participants get Sparkle Ball earrings
Instead of a medal, all race finishers in the 5km and 10km events are presented with a pair of Hillberg & Berk Sparkle Ball earrings. If earrings aren’t your thing, these can make a nifty gift on Mother’s Day.
Earrings aren’t included with registration for the 1km Mini Mountie Run.
There’s a generous prize purse
The 2023 prize purse sits at $4,000, with cash prizes awarded to the top three men’s and women’s finishers in the 5km and 10km as well as the top male and female master’s runners (age 40+) in those races.
In recognition of Mother’s Day, the top three mothers in both events receive flowers and additional Sparkle Ball earrings. Participants can indicate they are a mother when signing up for the race.
The brunch is fantastic
It’s impossible to leave the Royal Road Race hungry. Post-race, all participants are invited to a brunch buffet served in the Depot mess hall where you can scarf down some eggs, bacon and pancakes while listening to the awards ceremony. You can even grab an obligatory post-race banana (or two).
Additional brunch tickets can be purchased for $15 when registering if you want to ensure your support crew gets fed as well.
