The 34th edition of the April Fool's Run, presented by Coast Cable, promises some fierce competition for the top spots and B.C. Championship honours, especially in the women's division. Challenging for the win will be Kelowna's Keddi-Anne Sherbino who has been dominating races in the interior, winning the Okanagan College Half Marathon this past Sunday in 1:21:41; Vancouver's Gillian Clayton, who recently set a personal best of 1:23 at the "First Half" Half Marathon; Vancouver's Amy Schneeberg whose best time in the half is 1:22; and Port Coquitlam's Tina Connelly, who hasn't been racing much for a couple of years but has a stellar half-marathon PB of 1:12:47, and is now entering the fray as a master.
Though there's still the potential for some last minute ringers to sign up on race weekend, three of the men entered so far who have a shot at the podium are Vancouver's Kevin O'Connor, a top masters competitor who finished third at the Fools Run last year and has been tearing up the roads lately; VFAC club teammate David Palermo who was fourth behind O'Connor last year, and has recently been getting a new personal best every time he races; and Geoff Reid, with a 32:04 10k best, who will making his half-marathon debut here.
Registration numbers are on track for another record turnout, with more than 550 signed up as of Monday morning, with another 100-plus expected. The event is capped at 700 entrants so there is the possibility of a sell-out by Saturday afternoon, during the Gibsons package pickup at the community centre, from 2 to 6 p.m. Check www.foolsrun.com daily for latest updates and number of spots remaining.
The organizers can always use a few extra volunteers, so if you aren't running but want to be part of the excitement, call 604-885-8849 or email foolsrun@telus.net no later than 9 p.m. Saturday, or drop by the Saturday package pickup at the community centre.
Drivers are reminded to please slow down and be on the alert for runners, walkers and volunteers on Sunday morning in Gibsons, Roberts Creek and Davis Bay, and please obey traffic marshals.
Frozen Goose Scramble
Eighty golfers kicked off the golf season at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club last weekend with the annual Frozen Goose Scramble Tournament.
Blue sky broke at noon, and everyone enjoyed a taste of early spring weather.
The tournament net champions were Brent Lineker, Pat Gaines, Dave Nestman and Jeff James with a score of 53.5 The low gross score of the day went to Dean Totten, Matt Cookney Derek Skytte and Jesse Satow firing a 57. Low mixed team was Bill and Deb Sneddon, Brian Brawley and Ben Josephson. Thanks to all the golfers who participated.
