Saskatoon Beat Beethoven fundraiser run revived in virtual format
SASKATOON Don Cochrane guesses it’s been more than 30 years since he first dressed up as Beethoven to go for a run.
“I have an opportunity to do something in the community, and other people seem to enjoy it immensely,” he said. “I overcome my trepidation by getting back into the costume.”
Cochrane joked that he was asked by now-university of Saskatchewan president Peter Stoicheff to dress as the famous composer for the Beat Beethoven fundraiser for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra in 1989. This year, the discontinued event is coming back as part of a celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday — but it will look a little different.
Cochrane will still be the man dressed as the composer, though.
“The miracle is that I can still get into this costume,” he said.
After the last part of its performing season was scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSO and Saskatoon’s Brainsport running wear shop decided to revive the Beat Beethoven fundraiser in a virtual format. In the original event, participants would follow a walking or running route with SSO musicians stationed along the way, playing some of Beethoven’s best works.
In the new digital format, runners can register online at the SSO website, where they can choose from different playlists curated to the lengths of walk or run the participant wants to make.
The SSO is asking participants to take a screenshot of their run time and where they stopped in their Beethoven playlist when they finish, and upload them to the SSO to create a sense of community through music.
Participants will be entered for a grand prize draw.
Cochrane said it’s an opportunity for people to come together in a community and experience great music outside the confines of a concert hall.
“We think about classical music ... it’s all very formal. And yet the music is incredibly dynamic,” he said. “The idea of running in this very unusual setting, that’s really exciting. This is not TCU Place, this is out on the road with Beethoven blasting in your headphones.”
Dressed up as the composer on Thursday before the week of the virtual run began, Cochrane said he aimed to get his own five-kilometre run recorded in under 30 minutes for everyone else to try to beat.
It’s a new experience for him and for the people with Brainsport and the SSO, but Cochrane said he welcomes the challenge in these strange times.
“I’m 80 years old now. It’s going to be a real effort to break 30 minutes,” said with a laugh.
The Beat Beethoven event runs May 24 to May 30 in Saskatoon.