Vancouver's Kevin O'Connor came through with a solid victory and a sub-1:10 clocking, while Kelowna's Keddi-Anne Sherbino took nearly 30 seconds off the previous women's event record, at this year's Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run presented by Coast Cable.
A record 640 runners and walkers signed up for the half marathon and relay, up from 601 last year. The weather co-operated as the rain held off last Sunday morning and the wind blew the runners towards the finish.
Both O'Connor and Sherbino were also crowned the B.C. Half Marathon Champions for 2011, pocketing an extra $200 from BC Athletics -bringing their total winnings to $500 each, plus an extra $50 to O'Connor for being top master (40-plus).
O'Connor wasn't sure he should do this race, with the Sun Run just two weeks away, but with some encouragement from the race directors and Vancouver Falcons Athletic Club (VFAC) teammates, he decided to go for it.
"I knew I was in good shape after a great Thursday workout on the trails," he said.
Also gunning for a top podium spot was fellow club member David Palermo, fourth here last year. In the previous three weeks he had set three new personal bests over 5k and 8k distances and was determined to stay with O'Connor, or "Gramps" as he's affectionately known among younger VFAC members, as long as possible. Rounding out the challengers was Geoff Reid in his debut half marathon, another young VFAC member Drew Nicholson, and triathlete Ynuk Bosse.
On paper, the women's race looked to be a close match between Sherbino, Amy Schneeberg, Gillian Clayton and Tina Connelly, but relative newcomer Sherbino left the others far behind with a huge personal best of 1:18:03 -more than three minutes faster than her win at the recent Okanagan College Half Marathon and nearly 30 seconds under the previous women's event record for the Fool's Run (1:18:31), held since 2008 by Suzanne Evans of New Westminster.
"I was very impressed with how well the course was marked along the way, the announcers were good, we started right on time, and the sponsors and prizes were great," Sherbino said.
First Sunshine Coast finishers and winners of the George Matthews Memorial Award were 18-year-old Mason Gregory of Roberts Creek in a speedy 1:20:24, and multiple winner Kimberley Doerksen (20) of Gibsons in a personal best 1:27:53. That time qualified Doerksen, who attends Simon Fraser University, for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Nationals in Indiana.
Top relay teams were "The Young and the Restless" from Richmond (two-person team) in 1:31:50 and "Lickety Split" from Surrey (four-person relay) in 1:35:48.
The West Coast Air Club team challenge men's division was won by VFAC, with Bellingham Sunshine taking the women's team title.
All local results are listed in the Sports Ticker on page 58. Check out race photos in the on-line photo galleries at www.coastreporter.net. Full results and more photos can be found at www.foolsrun.com.
Next year's race will fall on April 1, 2012. It will be the 35th anniversary edition, and will include some special features in celebration.
