A man from Steinbach was inducted into the Manitoba Runners' Association Hall of Fame this week. Nick Paulet was inducted under the Builder category.
For Paulet, his competitive running career started when he was in his early 20s. As a police officer, Paulet learned of a group of officers from Edmonton that was attempting to complete the Ironman Canada Triathlon, while raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Paulet ended up being part of a group of officers in 2002 that took on this challenge.
Paulet ended up starting a local group of similar-minded participants and the team was called Ironcops. The team consisted of both police members and members of the community. Along the way, Paulet led his team to start their own triathlon club, Tri Factor, which welcomed those who focused more on camaraderie, while encouraging all to achieve their respective goals.
After several years of leading the Winnipeg chapter of Ironcops, Paulet had an idea to create a Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon as a fundraising event. Eventually, a decision was reached to give it a shot and plan a small race for the spring of 2005.
Initially, the hope was that the race would attract at least 200 runners in order to break even. But, five weeks prior to the race, a decision was made to close registrations as more than 1,000 participants had registered. That first year, over $37,000 was raised for the Canadian Cancer Society.
According to Paulet, the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon was supposed to be a one-off. Yet here we are in 2025, and this has become an annual tradition; for many runners this event kicks off the racing season.
Paulet says Monday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Winnipeg caused him to pause and reflect. He notes with the busyness of life; Monday provided an opportunity for him to look back at the hundreds of people who have helped make the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon possible.
"The millions of dollars that have been raised, and the fact that it's been 21 years, because it's gone very, very quickly," says Paulet. "It was very special, and it was special to represent a larger group of people who are very committed to community service."
Paulet says he never imagined their race would grow into what it is today. He says it really changed the running landscape in our province. Paulet recalls back in 2005 there was only a limited number of running races in Manitoba. In fact, they were the first ones to open a course for four hours, allowing half marathon participants to walk the 13 miles, if that was their preference. Runners were awarded medals and a breakfast after, which was also unique in the local race scene.
"We really gave other races a chance to see what their own teams were capable of and therefore made a better running environment for everybody in the community," he says, noting that is something his team is proud of.
As a result, Paulet says he has been fortunate to offer advice and even mentor other race directors in the area.
The next running of the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon takes place this coming Sunday. The event is again sold out. Paulet says though very popular within the Manitoba running community, about 15 per cent of their participants come from Northwestern Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the United States.
Paulet says his favourite part, by far, of directing this race, is the finish line.
"Leading up to the race it's very, very busy, it's very intense, especially these few days right now," he admits. "But the finish line is spectacular because that's when we see the product of all of our work, the happy smiles, the families, the friends finishing together."
Paulet says for the most part, their volunteers handing out medals at the finish line are cancer survivors.
"So that provides a very unique opportunity for people to have a moment to connect their efforts, their day of enjoyment with the cause of why we are there," he adds. "It's a very special place to be at the finish line."
And, though some hot weather is forecast to roll into the region for Sunday, Paulet says most of their runners should be off the course by about 10:45 am, and so the heat should not be too much of a factor. However, he says it could impact their volunteers who are still cleaning up in the afternoon.
For the Paulets, the Winnipeg Police Service Half Marathon is a family celebration each year. Paulet says the race is 21 years old, the same age as his oldest son. His whole family will be there Sunday, each serving in their respective roles. But he says one of the most critical players in keeping this race going through the years has been his wife, Leslie.
"She has really stepped up and she really is the brains behind this operation and does the vast majority of the work and I'm very grateful to her for that," says Paulet. "I mean literally, if she didn't rise to that occasion, this race would have ceased to exist."
Meanwhile, as one of the newest members of the Manitoba Runners' Association Hall of Fame, Paulet's running career consists of completing nine Ironman triathlons and dozens of marathons, including Boston, New York, Minneapolis, and Manitoba. However, he says his most cherished running memory happened in 2004.
"In 2004, 22 weeks after our oldest son Tyler was born, Leslie and I did the Ironman Canada Triathlon, and we did it side-by-side," shares Paulet. "And that's by far my most special memory when it comes to running or triathlon."
Paulet says he owes the source of his passion and dedication to his wife and wanting to set a strong example of community dedication and leadership for his children, Tyler and Troy.