Running the Torch

When Sarah Head ran with the Olympic torch, she did more than complete her 300 m portion of the 2010 trek across Canada – she participated in a tradition she had watched her dad take part in 22 years ago near her hometown of Calgary.

“The ‘88 Olympics were so exciting because I lived there, but mostly I remember my dad running the torch and how special that was to him,” Head said. “He ran up and behind him was an RV with a loudspeaker, saying facts about my dad. At seven, I thought he was famous!”

View photo of Flickr

Now a circulation assistant in the Murray Library at the U of S, Head had her chance to experience the thrill carrying the torch in North Battleford on January 12.

“It was amazing. Running in North Battleford was great because it’s a small town, so everyone was out to watch. It was surreal. People I didn’t even know wanted to take pictures with me. I felt like a celebrity.”

Head was chosen as a torch bearer through a Coca-Cola contest that asked applicants to describe their commitment to sustainable practices. She wrote an essay describing the community garden she contributes to, which is a project of the Nutana Community Association. She has been gardening there for about two years, a practice she describes as “radical.” She said growing her own food is empowering and really good for the community.

Being selected as a winner meant Head got to relive the experience from her fond childhood memory of the torch run – only this time, she was the one holding the flame. “It’s kind of surreal to see something that big and have it impressed upon you as a child, and then get to participate in it.”

Her husband joined her in North Battleford, along with their dog, and her parents made the trip from Alberta to watch her. Her dad even wore his own Olympic jacket from 1988.

“To get to see me run was a big deal. And he was super excited the jacket still fit,” said Head with a laugh.