When Beth Kellett describes her Saturday morning run with the running group at Glenmore Temple in Calgary, the scene is almost idyllic.

“We run alongside the reservoir, and on beautiful mornings, you can see the mountains—snowcapped during the winter,” she shares. “It's a remarkable sight and a reminder of what a wonderful God we serve.”

The group, which has been running for the past 10 years, attracts up to 14 participants each week and gathers year round—even when it's -25 C.

“Those hardy ones of us, we run no matter what the weather is on Saturday mornings,” smiles Bob McLeod. The group is comprised of runners and walkers, who usually break into small groups according to their ability and regroup at a coffee shop for fellowship.

The group is co-ordinated by McLeod, a police officer who completed his first half marathon 20 years ago.

“While I was running that race, I was listening to the Canadian Staff Band on my cassette player,” he says. “And as I was coming down the finish line, the band was playing All My Work Is for the Master. I'll never forget that. Since then, I've really sensed that God has given me this running ability to use for him.”

Both McLeod and Kellett were founding members of the group.

“I had always wanted to run but felt that I was like an elephant when I was running,” Kellett laughs. “So this was an ideal way to get into it.” Since joining, Kellett has blossomed and completed a number of half marathons.

Initially, the group's goal was to run the Santa Shuffle, a Salvation Army fun run and fundraiser held in December. This is now an annual tradition for them, with 13 members participating last year.

The physical benefits are obvious to participants such as McLeod, Kellett and Major John Goulding, corps officer at Glenmore Temple, who says the group encourages discipline.

“You set out to do things, but quite often throughout the week, you're apt not to get out and run or walk as much as you should,” he says, “so this group provides accountability.”

Major Goulding believes that it's important for the church to promote physical health.

“The running group is listed in our bulletin as one of the main events of corps life, just the same as band and songsters,” he says. “We feel that it's important to keep our bodies healthy because Scripture tells us that we are responsible for our bodies.”

The group also helps participants develop community and grow spiritually.

“We don't just meet for the sake of running,” says Major Goulding. “When you're out running, you can talk and find out what the others might be dealing with. Then it's an opportunity for us to commit to pray in the week ahead.”

The running group also provides a non-threatening environment where newcomers can connect to the corps.

“My husband hasn't come to the Army for a number of years, but he's become a walker,” Kellett shares. “He will walk with us and stay for coffee, so he's feeling at ease with the people he knows through the running group. And on occasion, when he's been invited to a men's breakfast, he has gone because now he knows Bob and Major John and he feels comfortable.”

For McLeod, the running group is a great source of encouragement and has become a permanent fixture in his calendar.

“Even if I work late on a Friday night and get four hours of sleep, I still get up and go,” he says. “The group and the people mean that much to me.”

Allan Kellett walks a path near the reservoir in Calgary