Canada Day: Five reasons why it's different from the US

So evidently the entire country shuts down on Canada Day and everyone wears red and white while singing "O Canada" in the streets while eating poutine and waving their "chip" debit cards.  Or not.

Of course, as an American in Canada I'm learning all sorts of fascinating things about Canadians, running and yes, running in Canada.  Here's 5 reasons why it's different to live and run here:

1. The weather.  Obviously.  Running a half marathon at 1 degree Fahrenheit in March is something you probably will never do in NYC or LA.

2. The metrics.  Distances, temperature and so forth are measured using the metric system here, so half marathons are 21k, freezing starts at 0c, boiling occurs at 100c, 40 degrees is unbelievably hot, and all liquid beverages are described in ml (millileters) and liters.

3. The spelling. Yeah liter is spelled litre here. Center is centre, color is colour.  This is pretty obvious stuff.

4. The prices.  Things are more expensive here.  A brand new pair of Brooks Adreniline are $160.  Haagen Daz ice cream is $7 for pint.  Of course, workers get paid better here.

5. There are probably a lot more runners here.  Saskatoon is an amazing city to run in.  Plain and simple. The Meewasin Trails run parallel to the South Saskatchewan River (which divides the city's east and west sides) on both sides and provides a running experience you simply aren't going to get elsewhere.