The new format and location for the Fall Tune-Up run was received well, as 35 runners participated in the cross country event in Porpoise Bay Park last Sunday, despite cold and damp conditions.
Starting the day were nine youngsters age eight and under, racing through the fields and forest on a one km loop. From the youngest, four-year-old Findlay Day of Victoria, right through to the eight-year-olds, all had a blast.
In the 2.6km race for nine to 12-year-olds, there were five girls and five boys competing, all in the nine to 10-year-old division. Leading the way overall and for the boys was Alex Monkman of Gibsons Elementary School just six seconds ahead of second place Joshua Diamond of Roberts Creek. The girls' race wasn't quite so close, with Sophie Garmulewicz of Roberts Creek taking first place, 17 seconds ahead of teammate Sarah Huddlestone.
Next up was the four km event for ages 13 to 17. Just two boys and two girls toed the line, all in the 13 to 15 division. Mason Gregory of Roberts Creek cruised to an easy win in 13:43. After the first of two loops, Sechelt's Jessica Marquis was running together with Anna Veale of Gibsons, but Anna took a wrong turn on the second, longer loop and missed a portion of the course, ending up ahead of Marquis at the finish line but not completing the four km. Jessica clocked 17:08 and was awarded first place.
The final event of the day was the 5.4 km for ages 18 and up. Though not yet 18, Shaun Stephens-Whale opted to compete in this event under open men, and outran the rest of the field by several minutes, clocking 18:50 (equivalent to a 17:26 5k). Lawrence Bendanai of Steveston was second overall, followed by Owen Coombes of Sechelt.
Right behind Coombes was Halfmoon Bay's Charles Steemers, first master to finish. On the women's side, Nadine Evans of Sechelt took the open women's title, while Marilyn Downey of Halfmoon Bay was a few seconds ahead of Sechelt's Jane Whiteley in the master's division.
The organizers would like to thank the super volunteers who came out to help: members of Arbutus Sounds Chorus; Bob Stanhope (lead cyclist); and local runners (and friends) from Sunshine Coast Athletics, some of whom volunteered and ran. Also a special thanks to Leah's Piping Hot Coffee for coming on short notice and donating coffee and muffins on a cold wet day.
