Race organizers, volunteers and runners must have felt like the victims of an April Fool's Day prank on Sunday morning when they woke up and saw snow covering the ground. But what started out as a winter day turned into the nicest day yet in 2012 with warm sunshine to greet the racers at the finish in Davis Bay.
A flurry of late sign-ups brought the registration total to 585, the third highest turnout to date for the 35th annual BMO Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run.
The lead pack soon emerged, including David Palermo of Vancouver, Graeme Wilson of Vancouver and Shaun Stephens-Whale of Roberts Creek. They chatted amicably through the first 5k, until Wilson mentioned he was treating the race as a 'hard tempo' in preparation for the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Upon hearing this, Palermo surged ahead. Stephens-Whale was tempted to follow but chose to say with Wilson. "I was afraid that I was already stretching my fitness," he said.
Palermo continued to pull away, stretching his lead to nearly a minute.
"Finally!" he exclaimed after crossing the line, "I've been working towards this for four years!"
His 1:10:57 was a personal best, hinting at good things to come at the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May.
Stephens-Whale maintained contact with Wilson to finish third in a new personal best 1:12:10. Wilson pocketed an extra $100 for being the first 40-plus master.
The women's race unfolded mostly as expected, with Langley's Lisa Brooking settling into first place early and holding on to take the women's title in 1:21:56. She was hard-pressed at the finish by a fast-closing Kristin Smart of Vancouver. "Another 200m and I'd have had her for sure," said Smart, who is also preparing for the BMO Vancouver Marathon.
Vancouver's Gillian Clayton took third place, a minute behind Smart with no one separating them.
The first 40-plus master woman and fourth female overall in 1:23:57 was Vancouver's Rebecca Reid, incredibly posting a personal best at age 46.
The outcome of the top local women's race was a surprise, as Meghan Molnar outran fellow Gibsonite and defending champ Kimberley Doerksen by 40 seconds with a personal best of 1:27:02.
BMO's Henry Donkers, vice president-Vancouver Suburban District, led Team BMO in a speedy 1:33:25. Speaking at the awards ceremony, he told the crowd how much he enjoyed the event and is looking forward to BMO's continued partnership with the Fool's Run.
The new finish line in Mission Point Park and hot food were received enthusiastically by all participants.
"Coming from Vancouver, the ferry, the scenery, the post-race park on the beach, the shuttle bus, the relaxed atmosphere, the tomato soup, the unexpected sunshine, oysters and beer post race at the Gibsons marina, a chance to test your early season fitness - these are the things that no other race can offer and keep me, at least, coming back for more," said Rachel Kiers who was the fifth woman across the finish line.
The inaugural Pastimes Kids' Jester Dash was a big success, filling up at 25 entrants. Hosted by Sunshine Coast Nannies, the children coloured and decorated their own bib numbers, then raced around the park to the finish line where they all received prizes.
See all the local results in the sports ticker on page 50 and photos in our on-line photo galleries at www.coastreporter.net. Full results and more photos can be viewed at www.foolsrun.com. Next year's race date is set for April 7, 2013.
