Dominic Montpetit fondly recollects running the 42-kilometre marathon at the Great Canadian Death Race near Grand Cache, Alta., alongside his brothers and Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon in 2022.

“It was my first exposure to the running community,” said the real estate agent. “I’m not a runner, but I ended up doing it and having a blast. I began thinking about how I could put a Catholic spin on a run. After brainstorming and praying about it, I figured it would be cool to do something during Lent.”

Montpetit ultimately conceived the Lenten 40, a 41.9-kilometre run along the picturesque South Saskatchewan River, flowing through the heart of Saskatoon. Scheduled the Saturday before Holy Week, the 2026 event is set for March 28. Participants are encouraged to meditate upon the experience of Christ as He walked the Via Dolorosa — the “Way of Sorrows” or “Way of Suffering” — on the way to His sacrificial death.

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Runners tackle the route, starting and ending at Holy Family Cathedral, as a tandem or a relay team of four. Landmarks passed along the way include the Saskatoon Forestry Farm, the Queen’s House Retreat Center, the Gordie Howe Bridge and the Meewasin, Archibald, Kinsmen, Gabriel Dumont and Diefenbaker parks.

Hagemoen himself plays a key role in developing the road map, which changes every year. This year, he invited the entrants to reflect on the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, respectively, as they navigate through the journey’s four legs.

The bishop shared with The Catholic Register a week before this year’s run that the Lenten 40 has become one of his favourite ways to connect with Saskatoon Catholics.

“I’ve been a hiker and jogger all my life, and I love these adventurous experiences,” said Hagemoen. “The ultimate adventure, of course, is reflecting on the mystery of the ultimate pilgrimage with and to the Lord, and so I love it.”

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Each of the previous events has provided a different set of weather conditions. The 2025 event was best, said Hagemoen, as it was warm and the snow had melted. The year before, the melted snow didn’t quite go away, so “many of the routes were almost like skating rinks.”

Montpetit echoed that “every year is always different and unique, and it comes with its own challenges. It’s always exciting to see what God does every year through it.”

Hagemoen is keen on making each year distinctive for himself by joining forces with different groups. One year, he teamed up with the St. Thérèse Institute of Faith and Mission (a young adult formation program based in Bruno, Sask.), and another time he ran with a group of men from the diocesan Sts. Benedict and Scholastica vocations house in Saskatoon.

Montpetit enjoys seeing the different teams that assemble. There are racers as young as 12 years old, and many participants in their 50s and 60s. A record high 120 people competed in 2025. Registrations were still being collected when the Register connected with Montpetit. 

“There are quite a few teachers from Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon who participate,” said Montpetit. “With the theme being ‘run to the Cross and the way of suffering,’ it's a good fit for them. It’s really cool seeing all the different people who come. It brings the community together."

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And Hagemoen appreciates that it draws Catholics together for an important spiritual purpose.

“We do it to receive whatever the Lord gives us,” said Hagemoen. “That's the context and the opportunity to do this kind of worship and fun event together as we try to focus more intentionally on the Easter Triduum and getting ready for Holy Week.”