The WPS Half Marathon – Bringing people together for a common cause this Sunday
Chief Danny Smyth
Cancer is an insidious disease that has touched us all. To be on the receiving end of a diagnosis is a gut punch that strikes fear and ripples through a family and beyond. It is a difficult situation that most people will be required to confront at some point in their life, either as a patient or in support of one. By our very nature, police officers are doers, trained to respond to those in need. Whether it’s supporting one of our own, or bringing aid and assistance to those in need in the community—it’s what we do. This week’s Tried & True article is authored by Inspector Nick Paulet, one of the founders of the WPS Half-Marathon in support of cancer research. The kind of community engagement that brings people together for a common cause.
Inspector Nick Paulet
Headquarters Operations Centre/ Special Events Group
This coming Sunday marks the 18th Winnipeg Police Half Marathon. After a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic—we are back! I look back at our humble beginning with a lot of fondness and admiration for the many people who have committed themselves to this journey. In 1998, a group of us decided to form a group called Iron-Cops. We would train for the Ironman Triathlon while raising money for the Cops for Cancer program. Cops for Cancer had a strong presence in Winnipeg in those days. There were a lot of creative ways to raise money for cancer research. Who could forget the annual head shave event organized by staff member Mike Ewatski—an event designed to raise money and show empathy and support for those undergoing cancer treatments.
After that the Iron Cops organized a dunk tank at the Red River Exhibition, we held socials and raffles all in an effort to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. In 2004, we set our sights on organizing a half marathon. This led to the inaugural 2005 WPS Half Marathon. We initially hoped for a couple of hundred participants but were overwhelmed and had to stop taking entries after 1,000 participants registered. We knew we were onto something.
Anna Janzen was part of the original Iron Cops group. She joined the WPS as a Constable in December 2000. An avid cyclist and athlete, she was a strong presence on the team. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. She met her cancer diagnosis with the competitive spirit of the athlete she was. She passed in February 2020.
The WPS Half Marathon has come to represent the largest 3rd party fundraiser for the Cancer Society in Manitoba. To date, we have raised over $2.3 million for cancer research. With guidance and support from Deputy Chief Art Stannard, this event has thrived. This has been a direct outcome of a lot of community partnerships. Our team, which began with a handful of cops and support staff from the WPS, has expanded to include so many community members from all walks of life, all bound by the impact that cancer has had on our friends and loved ones. It also united us in a common cause to eradicate the disease.
I want to acknowledge the team effort and spirit of all those who have volunteered time. Thank you. Thank you for being so dedicated to your community, your workplace, and your own families. Thank you to your spouses and loved ones who support you and our event with long hours and a few broken weekends. Our team and those who participate in this special event are making a difference in real terms of cancer research and tangible results. We form a unified front to support our community.
We have also had a lot of support from business sponsors that have enabled us to put on this premier community event. Today there are many business relationships that we have come to rely on. Too many to mention in this article. But I think it is important to acknowledge Munther Zeid and his entire family at Food Fare who have been with us from the beginning. The breakfast and lunch service has been an integral part of this marathon for many years thanks to your support.
I have had the honour of being part of many cancer journeys. I have shared tears with those celebrating personal victories over this disease, and sadly, tears of sorrow with those facing tragic realities. All of these stories live on in my heart and are at the heart of our team. It’s what inspires us to come back every year.
The WPS Half Marathon has become an annual event for our family. The driving force behind us running each year was my wife Linda Kavitch (27-year Constable) who would always circle the date on the calendar as soon as it was announced. She loved participating in the race since it's for a great cause and because of all the amazing people involved. The fact there would be fresh pancakes and snacks at the end didn't hurt either! She loved our police family and as soon as our two sons Tyler and Mark were old enough to run (now 20 and 18), she wanted the both of them to share in the experience. She wanted them to see how our police family comes together to help others. Her parents would also come out annually to cheer everyone on. Over many years we ran in either the half marathon, relay, or 5K. At times Linda was also a volunteer. We loved the fact that past cancer survivors were involved and even gave out medals to the race finishers.
Unfortunately, Linda was later diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in November 2016. She appeared to beat it but it returned in mid-2019. She went on to bravely fight the disease until December 4, 2021, when she passed away far too soon at the age of 51. There are two WPS Half moments that truly stood out. The first was in 2014, the 10th Anniversary race where Linda completed her first full half marathon ever. We were all extremely proud of her. The next was in 2017, just a few months after she completed a full course of chemotherapy. We ran the 5K as a family which was quite a feat as the treatment had taken a toll on her. That became even more impressive later on when we heard stories of how even Boston Marathon runners can struggle to walk around the block following chemo! She could have easily taken the year off but powered through. That really highlighted her character and the spirit behind this great event. The three of us will be running this year in her honour. - Sgt. Kevin Kavitch
Community commitment is a term that lives in the eye of the beholder. The half marathon finish line is decorated with yellow shirts worn by people battling or who have battled cancer. Those yellow shirts help us remember so many in our community who we have worked, laughed, cried, and celebrated with. Some of our own have worn that yellow shirt at the finish line. Some come back each year, and some we have lost. But, we will honour and remember them each year. I had a mentor for much of my career who shared the importance of humility. I try my best to apply this principle to the half marathon. It has been an invaluable part of my commitment to the community I serve.
Nick Paulet is an Inspector with the Winnipeg Police Service and long-time Race Director for the WPS Half Marathon
