The Whiteswan Mile was conceived by former U of S Huskies runner and current Saskatoon Road Runners Association board member Greg Fenty. Greg wanted to host a mile race with a fast, downhill course. The stretch between the corner of Lenore and Whiteswan Drive, and ending at Meewasin Park, fit the bill perfectly.
The Whiteswan Mile was first run in 1984, and again in 1985. The event was reintroduced in 2024 when Lyndon Smith – who participated in the ’84 mile – joined Greg on the SRRA board. “The board was looking to add a unique event to the Saskatoon race calendar, and we thought it would be fun to reintroduce a road mile” says Smith. “Plus, we felt it was the perfect event to bring track athletes together with road runners.” Saskatchewan Athletics agreed to partner with the SRRA in this event, and the Whiteswan Mile was reborn.
In 2025 the Whiteswan Mile was further revitalized when participants Kaden Nilson and Kaiden Deck (former and current Huskies, respectively) joined the organizing committee to grow the race at both the community and elite levels. We are excited to make the Whiteswan Mile a truly annual event!
Olympian David Bailey after running the first sub-4-minute mile by a Canadian in 1966. In this photo Dave is being supported by Bill Crothers, a mild-mannered Markham pharmacist and Olympic silver medalist in the 1964 Tokyo 800. Dr. Bailey moved to Saskatoon in the 1970s to teach pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan. He also coached during this time and was instrumental in training a new crop of middle distance runners. Dave Bailey inspired these young Saskatchewan athletes, and many became U of S Huskies.
Bailey's legacy ultimately led to the inaugural Whiteswan Mile in 1984. As of June 2025, sub-4 - or the equivalent sub-4:36 women's mile - has still not yet been run on Saskatchewan soil.
