The first real spring weather of 2009 coincided with the running of the 32nd Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, to the delight of participants, volunteers and spectators. A record 537 people signed up to walk or run from Gibsons to Sechelt, as individuals and relay teams on Sunday, April 5.
The super-fast elites of 2008 didn't return this year, leaving the field wide open for a 1:10 to 1:12 runner to grab the top cash prize of $300. Past winner Graeme Wilson of Vancouver, the 2006 and 2007 champion, returned this year after some time off due to injury, and was never challenged on the way to a four-minute victory in 1:12:40. Vancouver's Ynuk Bosse was a solid second in 1:16:35, 43 seconds ahead of White Rock's David Palermo who was thrilled with a personal best of 1:17:18.
Wilson led the other two through the first mile, then as they crossed the highway at MarketPlace IGA and headed down Pratt Road, Wilson began to increase his lead and never looked back. But it wasn't an easy win.
"Having not raced since July of last year, I kind of forgot how to really push it, and I'm glad I didn't," said Wilson. "But still, I thought I would be a little quicker. Even though I thought I was running a conservative first half of the race, it was apparent that I still ran too fast for my current fitness level, as I really struggled up the long hill [Marlene Road] leading to the highway."
On the women's side, masters competitor Helen Ritchie edged out Vancouver Falcons teammate Rebecca Reid by just eight seconds to take the top women's open and masters prizes in 1:28:04 -good enough for 14th overall.
Less than a minute behind Reid, Vancouver's Janette Purdham took the final cash award by an even smaller margin, just six seconds ahead of North Vancouver's Darcie Young. Demonstrating that getting older doesn't necessarily mean you can't win races, all five of the top women were in the 40 to 44 age division.
"I was happy with my run, a PB [personal best] for me," said Reid.
Top male master and winner of an extra $50 cash was Mike Palichuk of Langley, finishing fourth overall in 1:21:09.
Sechelt's Owen Coombes was a repeat winner of the George Matthews Memorial Award for top local male finisher, slipping into the top 10 overall with a 1:27:26 clocking. After the arrival of his first child five months ago, Coombes had to cram in some last minute training to get to the start line, so he wasn't surprised that his time was a few minutes slower than last year. Wife and new mum Nadine also ran the half.
The George Matthews trophy will have a new name engraved on the women's side for 2009, in the form of Kimberley Doerksen of Gibsons, ninth overall female finisher and first in the women's 19 and under division. Doerksen's time was 1:37:38, very good for an 18 year old. Most age divisions were won by off-coasters with three exceptions: Doerksen, Roger Handling of Roberts Creek annihilating the M55 to 59 competition by more than four minutes, and Helen Sabourin of Gibsons in a class of her own in the F65 to 69 category, a whopping 18 minutes ahead of the next competitor.
A new category this year was the club/team challenge. This was an opportunity for groups or clubs to compete as a team, with the fastest four half marathon times combined to determine the winner (minimum five team members). The hands-down inaugural winner was Vancouver Falcons Athletic Club (VFAC) with an average time of 1:24:27.
In the relays, a local two-person team, the Driven Divas, made up of Crystal Spence and Janna Brown of Sechelt finished literally miles ahead of any other relay teams, clocking 1:32:59.
First four-person team was The Happy Wanderers from Langley, in 1:45:41, with members Shelley and Kevin Armitage, Sonja Vance, and Veronica Steiger. But the honour of best creative relay name might go to the Flaming Snails from Squamish, or perhaps 3 Hot Chicks Plus An Old Guy from Sechelt.
Participants all agreed that the Gibsons and Area Community Centre was the perfect venue for packet pickup and late registration, both Saturday and Sunday, with plenty of parking, indoor space and washrooms, and close proximity to the start line on Park Road.
The new finish line at the beach parking lot was also very enthusiastically received, with plenty of space for a long finishing chute, spectator viewing areas, food tents, gear check and awards, all with a beautiful beach backdrop. A number of runners took advantage of the beachside location, enjoying a partial dip in the ocean to cool their leg muscles.
As a surprise bonus for fans of the show Being Erica, runners received their finisher's medal from Sechelt-based actor Tyron Leitso (Ethan), who looks even better in person. This added to the festive atmosphere at the finish line, which included tunes from DJ Astrid and race announcing by Bruce The Iron Canuck Bauman.
The April Fool's Run was event number three of the Lower Mainland road race series (www.lmrrs.com) which continues on May 10th with the Mother's Day 5k Spring Classic in Port Moody.
Full race results and race photos can be found at www.foolsrun.com/results.htm. Watch the website for 2010 date, which will be announced by the end of April.
