Ray Risling

Athlete (1999)

Marathon Running

Ray is the only Saskatchewan marathon runner to participate in more than 100 marathons, achieving the special status during the Saskatoon run on Sept. 13, 1998.

Ray grew up on a farm near Revenue, Saskatchewan and sampled some of his first competitive life as a 14-year-old softball pitcher. After settling in Saskatoon, he became active in a number of sports, including softball, playing with Deluxe Auto Body in 1976 and since extending his career into 41 years. He also enjoyed broomball, and he was a member of the Saskatoon Bar K Knights in the 1997-78 season. In hockey, Ray has played for 37 years, 20 of them with a team at the University of Saskatchewan where he was employed as a medical technologist 40 years.

Ray ran his first marathon in 1978, ran three more the next year and he was hooked. Here he is shown finishing the famous Boston Marathon in 1981. One of his great thrills came in 1982 when he finished the New York Marathon. Racing took him to the Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii in December 1983, and he participated in the Vancouver International marathon during 1986, one of his 12 appearances in Vancouver.

His 70th marathon was in Saskatoon in September 1992, and he celebrated at the end of 26.2-mile marathon with a handstand at the finish line. The most satisfying finish was his 100th in Saskatoon in 1998 and in his honor, the City of Saskatoon declared Ray Risling Day.

Away from his sports activities, Ray is also a member of the Chimo Chordsmen barbershop singers.