Road to recovery leads Saskatoon runner to new passion

After doing marathons for years, Tarrant Crosschild is running with a new passion.

"Now I want to share it. I want to help others," Crosschild told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

Crosschild is being presented the Ric Hanna Leadership Award Saturday night which recognizes people who demonstrate a strong role in the running community.

"I felt honoured because I was pretty much just doing what I had a passion for."

After winning the Saskatchewan marathon in the late 90s, Crosschild struggled with alcohol addiction and depression. During his rehab, he took to running on country roads and found that his love of running could help him stay clean and get healthy.

Crosschild also realized it could help others.

Today, Crosschild leads running workshops, including clinics in Saskatchewan's north. He's travelled to communities like Beauval, Sandy Beach and Cumberland House.

"The impact it has on the children up in the north for example, we had one girl that came up after andjust felt so great to be a part of something."

Crosschild later learned that the girl had been on suicide watch. He said although it was too big, the girl proudly put on one of the T-shirts given to the group.

The running clinics are also something Crosschild can share with his family. His wife and his 15-year-old daughter help him with the clinics in the north.

Part of what they do, Crosschild said, is offering mentorship. He said his daughter is a role model for some of the children they work with.

Crosschild said it's important for him to keep sharing his story.

"We all have a story. And your story could be somebody's breakthrough."