The 38th annual BMO Sunshine Coast April Fool’s Run, presented by Coast TV Sports, is all set to go this Sunday, April 12.
More than 550 runners and walkers were signed up as of Monday, April 6, and organizers expect another 75 to 100 by race morning. In person registration will be accepted at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday morning from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.
Last year’s overall winner, David Jackson of Abbotsford, returns to defend his title. Jackson recently placed seventh in the highly competitive Modo Spring Run-Off 8k Vancouver, the preceding race in the Lower Mainland Road Race Series.
The chase pack will likely consist of Surrey’s Drew Nicholson, who has been battling injury on and off this year, but hopes his body will cooperate on race day; and 2012 winner David Palermo, who is on the comeback path after a couple of years away from the racing scene.
The top women’s contenders (barring any last minute elite entries) will include Ailsa MacDonald from Edmonton, who has a personal best of 1:22:06 for the half and a 2:48 marathon to her credit; North Vancouver’s Kristin Smart, women’s runner-up in 2012 with a half marathon personal best of 1:22:14; and Vancouver’s Helen Ritchie, 2009 Fool’s Run winner and multiple masters champ with a 1:23:46 personal best.
The women’s record is not likely to be broken this year as defending champion and record holder Kim Doerksen is recovering from injury and has been advised not to race a half marathon at this time. She may still be seen on course, but as a volunteer this time, and probably not wearing a tutu like she did last year.
A few more volunteer slots need to be filled to complete the race crew. Online volunteer sign up is available at www.fools
run.com until noon on Saturday; after that, please come to packet pick-up and sign up in person.
Less than a dozen spaces remain in the free Sunshine Care Network Kids Jester Dash presented by Pastimes, for kids seven and under. See foolsrun.com/kids.htm for details.
Visit www.foolsrun.com for the complete race weekend schedule, volunteer sign-up and late registration details.
