The Walden Firecracker 1k Kids Run and 5k Roadrace took to the streets of Lively once again this July 1 after a one year absence. Thanks to Masters runner and new Race Director Dave McGill for putting in the effort to resurrect the event. His efforts were rewarded with about 30-40 kids challenging the 1k and 117 participants in the 5k. Dave had assistance from members of the Sudbury Rocks!!, Masters and Track North running clubs plus a great effort from the Laurentian Lady Vees Cross Country Team. All proceeds will be donated to the Laurentian Ladies Team.

All Results Here

Firecracker Photos Here

The Scotiabank Vancouver 1/2 marathon was a wonderful and large event, which took place on Sunday, June 28. There were over 3500 participants in the half, and quite a few in the 5K as well.

The course started at the Thunderbird arena on the UBC campus, and was a scenic course with live music such as a steel drum band. The course wound its way along the pacific coastline, across a bridge and ended at Stanley Park.

Other than losing a bunch of change on the course, we had no mishaps and finished with smiles on our faces, and the best selection of finishing food for a major race - very important

We're looking forward to our next race - the Summerland Centennial half marathon on August 2.

Tawnie & Will

Final Place Bib Gun Chip KM Participant
Place In Sex Place In Division No. Time Time Pace Name City, Province

1723 678/2035 F 132/368 Women 25-29 3439 2:01:20 1:59:26 5:40 Tawnecia Tai Westbank BC
1724 1044/1592 M 174/254 Men 30-34 3438 2:01:19 1:59:26 5:40 William Tai Westbank BC

Four members of the Sudbury Rocks!! Running Club traveled to Winnipeg to take part in the Manitoba half and marathon. Suzanne Dionne, Ken Stubbings and Vince Perdue were in the full while Lynn Stubbings took on the half. Ken and Vince have aspirations of completing marathons in all provinces and territories. Manitoba was a step towards that goal.

For anyone looking to run a scenic well laid out course with excellent support Manitoba should be on your list. Being on the prairies the run is flat It meanders through varied areas leaving the University of Manitoba unto bit of highway, to shaded streets and parks, a nice section along both sides of the Assiniboine river, by the Manitoba Legislature at 16 miles and then works its way back to the start at the university's track. There is one hill on the course at the 24th mile when we crossed a bridge. It's called a hill but honestly I don't remember the elevation change. What I do remember is the phenomenal support from the citizens along the course. The day was extremely hot and the run would have been brutal without the endless encouragement and an abundance of impromptu water and sprinkler stations provided by the locals. I even copped a Mr Freeze from an enthusiastic youngster at mile 21.

We all finished strong although Ken did tweak a muscle. Probably a bit heat related as the combination of high temperature and humidity was most oppressive early in the race. While the temperature rose as the event progressed the humidity dropped and a welcome wind began to blow actually improving conditions. Remember the saying 'the wind is your friend'.

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Ken adds:

The Manitoba Marathon is an event worth attending. The course is very nice with sections running in park area and sections running through nice neighbourhoods. The spectators were outstanding with groups of people standing at least every few hundred feet. The start is a little funky. We expected the race to start at 7:00 am, but there is a 10 minute opening ceremony which starts at 7:00. So the race actually starts at 7:10.

The 2009 race brought new territory for me. I should have known something was amiss when the shuttle bus that picked us up at the hotel was equipped for wheel chairs. Hmmmm. The race started with record hot temperature and high humidity. And it kept getting hotter. The organizers decided to close the race early. At mile #9, my right calf/achilles started cramping. That dropped me to a much slower pace for the last 17 miles with stretching breaks at the water stations. Oh, and one stretch break while petting the spectator cat. Two things kept me going. #1 is they do not give you the marathon shirt until you actually cross the finish line. I needed that shirt. #2 was that the coach was somewhere behind me. I would never hear the end of it if that guy passed me. He would stop to help me if that occurred....right...who is kidding who! I was worried about finishing though. I passed quite a few people getting aid from the ambulances.

One of my finish photos has an ambulance behind me. Quite fitting . I was happy to see the finish line. And I even placed 3rd for my age group.

Lynn's race went quite well. She too enjoyed the course. She was worried about cramping with the heat, but she kept on pace with a good finish. Apparently a special aid station was handing out beer on the 1/2 marathon course.

A special thanks to Lynn, Lise, Vince, and Suzanne for adding to the vacation enjoyment. The trip to Mackinac Island was very delightful.

Ken

Results Here

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From the Manitoba Marathon Site:

Congratulations to our 2009 Manitoba Marathon Winners!

Summer arrived in Winnipeg with a blast this year following a very cold Spring. Father's Day saw nearly 14,000 runners wake up to a very warm, sunny, humid day and challenging running conditions for the 31st running of the Manitoba Marathon.

Congratulations to Hillary Cheruiyot of Kenya currently residing in Calgary who captured his first Manitoba Lotteries Full Marathon men's title with a fantastic time of 2:27:29 The woman's Full Marathon was won by Cindy Sondag from Grand Forks, North Dakota in a time of 3:12:09 Way to go Cindy! These are fantastic times given the challenging weather conditions this year.

To all participants, our sincerest congratulations on your commitment to train and join us this year. The Manitoba Marathon team is extremely pleased that the day had many thrilling success stories and that it ended safely for all of our participants. We salute our amazing team of Medical volunteers for their expertise, compassion, concern and attention to all of those participants who needed them on race day. THANK YOU! A special thank you to the over 2,000 volunteers who remain the backbone, making this event happen every Father's Day. And as well, to the hidden thousands who rarely get counted or noticed -- the teachers and parents behind the school running clubs, the family cheerleaders and official family photographers, the spectators on the course, and to the community as a whole that has embraced the spirit of the Manitoba Marathon. We salute you!

 

Ehrhardt Wins Silver at National Seniors

Three Track North Athletes and a sprinter from the Dharma Sports Science Group competed at the Canadian Senior Track and Field Championships in Toronto this weekend. They returned with four top-12 finishes and a silver medal.

Track North's Caroline Ehrhardt won silver in the triple jump with a leap of 12.45 metres. Competing in rainy conditions, Ehrhardt advanced from third to second place on her final jump of the competition. Ehrhardt, a 17-year old student who attends Espanola High School, also placed 10th in the long jump with a 5.76 meter jump.

Ben Charbonneau of Track North overcame a strained hip muscle to place 6th in the javelin with a throw of 58.52 metres.

André Pelland of Track North missed the finals of the 400m by only 1/10 of a second, eventually finishing 12th with a time of 49.51. He also placed 18th in the 200m with a time of 22.47.

Dharma Sports Science Group's Celine Loyer placed 31st in the 100m with a time of 12.98.

Full Results

 

Sara’s Dream

Reprinted from: Canadian Diabetes Association’s “Diabetes Current” newsletter.

Laura Fryia understands the importance of raising awareness and funds for diabetes as she has a personal connection. Laura’s daughter, Sara, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 13 and passed away from complications at the age of 23. It was Sara’s hope to live to see a cure for the disease. To keep Sara’s dream alive, Laura brought together a team of family and friends called “Sara’s Dream Team” for the SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes event.

 

Laura (pictured with the team in the light blue jacket), 45, wanted to find ways to support the diabetes cause and connected with a member of her local Canadian Diabetes Association branch and learned of the SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes event. The event provides individuals with the opportunity to participate in one of six distance events, including a full marathon, half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, marathon relay and 1 km kids’ race. Laura and her two other children, 16-year-old son Josh and 19-year-old daughter Brittany, along with friends, have been participating in the marathon for three years and plan to continue to support the event for the years to come.

Laura describes her experiences at the marathons as “inspiring.”

Laura’s son Josh (pictured in the navy blue sweatshirt) also provided some comments, “It was a great experience, keeps me physically fit and the money raised goes towards a good cause.”

Laura grew up in Kitchener and moved to Sault Ste. Marie in the late 1970’s where she now lives with her family. She has worked as a Diabetes Educator and, today, is employed at the Group Health Centre where she provides intensive counseling to help those who wish to quit smoking. On her leisure time, she is still very active and takes scuba diving lessons, goes to her local YMCA, rollerblades, goes camping, reads and spends time with her family, friends and dog. Laura is also an active volunteer and advocate for the Canadian Diabetes Association and recently took on the role of North East Ontario Volunteer Regional Chair.

“I like to teach my kids to be active and live a balanced lifestyle. Participating in events such as SudburyROCKS!!! helps promote chronic diseases, such as diabetes,” says Laura. “It doesn’t matter what type of physical activity you are doing. If you can’t run, walk. It’s about finding something that you like to do and working your way up by making it part of your routine.”

Visit sudburyrocksmarathon.com to find out more information about the 2010 SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes event.