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For 68-year-old Moose Jaw resident Suzanne Blair, crossing the finish line at the Moose Jaw Running Festival last Sunday was about much more than completing a 5K.
It marked a major milestone in a 10½-month recovery journey that began after she was seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision.
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Blair completed the 5K walk alongside her son, finishing in just over 56 minutes after months of rehabilitation, determination and hard work.
A life-changing collision
Blair was walking home from the farmers market in August when she was struck by a vehicle while she was crossing an intersection.
The collision left her with 11 broken bones, including a fractured pelvis, a broken arm and damage to her artificial left knee.
She said her previous commitment to staying active helped her survive the injuries and recover.
“I do have to credit being a regular gym member with saving my life,” Blair said. “I’m 69 in a month. The injuries I got, 11 broken bones, could have killed me.”
Blair said she was only a short distance from her home when the collision happened, and she was left lying in the street after the driver fled.
“It’s just mind-boggling to think that somebody did that,” she said. “Somebody took off and left me on the street.”
Despite the severity of her injuries, Blair said the incident strengthened her determination to recover.
“I think the best thing he probably did was make me angry because I refused to not get better from this,” she said.
Finding independence again
Following the collision, Blair relied on crutches and began the long process of rebuilding her mobility.
She began rehabilitation in February, which she said helped her realize how much progress she could still make.
“That was the beginning of independence and freedom,” Blair said. “I can credit the people behind me – the therapists, SGI and this community. Everybody has inspired me to get better as fast as I can.”
She said the road has not always been easy, but she remained focused on continuing to improve.
Returning to the finish line
Before the collision, Blair had already developed a love for running and staying active.
Two years ago, she completed the Moose Jaw Running Festival 5K as a way to challenge herself after becoming more active following retirement.
After beginning rehabilitation this year, Blair decided she wanted to return to the event, this time walking alongside her son.
She admitted there were doubts leading up to race day.
“I spent the month of May with a massive tooth infection,” she said. “And even up until the day before, I’m thinking ‘Can we actually do this?’”
But when race day arrived, Blair said she focused on one simple goal.
“It’s just one foot in front of the other,” she said. “That’s the only way you can think about it. Just do it.”
An emotional finish line moment
Blair said she when knew she was close to the finish line after reaching Crescent Park, she decided to push herself one step further. She began running toward the finish line.
“I can’t even tell you how good that felt. It was pretty amazing,” she said.
The moment was emotional for Blair, who was cheered on by family members, including her niece, who designed a shirt Blair wore during the race.
She said the shirt became a symbol throughout her recovery, even gaining attention from people who followed her journey while she was in the hospital.
Looking ahead
After completing the 5K, Blair said she is already looking ahead to next year’s running festival. Her goals are to finish in under 50 minutes.
“I might even see if I can run more of it than I did this year,” she said. “It’s good to have goals.”
Blair said her experience has shown her that people are capable of more than they may realize, adding that she hopes her story encourages others who are facing their own challenges.
“You don’t know until you have to, but I’m pretty sure that anybody would put the effort into getting better,” she said.
“The alternative isn’t where I want to be.”
For Blair, the finish line was not just the end of a race — it was proof of how far she had come since a moment that changed her life.
