He is known in the community as the police officer who runs for a good cause.

Weyburn Police Service Constable Jeff Bartsch has been making a name for himself running various half-marathons, full marathons and other road races in full gear, or the weighted equivalent, to raise awareness and money for mental health issues. His reputation is stretching across the border, as he is beginning to be invited to a number of races in the United States.

“It kind of drew the attention of some law enforcement people down south, predominantly in California, I guess you could say,” Cst. Bartsch said when speaking with Discover Weyburn.

The group Project Remember runs various road races. Comprised of police and peace officers, they invited Cst. Bartsch to run with them at the upcoming Rock and Roll Marathon in Las Vegas, which is scheduled for November.

“Strangely enough, that one led to another one, “ Cst. Bartsch continued. “A few days ago, an invite to Los Angeles from a retired LAPD officer.” The run in Los Angeles would be a half-marathon, compared to the full marathon he was asked to run in Las Vegas.

Cst. Bartsch wouldn’t be alone on his runs. Recently, fellow WPS Constable Melinda Mintenko has been running alongside him, also in full gear. Cst. Bartsch said she has been asked along to run in both events as well.

As for the preparations for a full marathon, Cst. Bartsch knows he has a challenge ahead of him, even though the race isn’t until November.

“That’s going to be a huge feat. I’ve done one before; I know what it takes, I know how daunting it is to work my work schedule as well as train for one of those.”

Cst. Bartsch has run in a number of events to raise money and awareness for mental health. Most recently, he and Cst. Mintenko ran in the 10K part of the Queen City Marathon in Regina.