The 9th annual Fall Tune-Up Cross Country was held last Sunday under perfect conditions. Participation was up from last year with more kids in the 1.3k and 2.6k events. West Sechelt Elementary made up the bulk of the numbers, with 10 kids taking part (plus some teachers and parents).
The 1.3k for ages six to eight was all about having fun: four boys and two girls along with some parents and teachers had a blast running through the scenic trail and campsite road loop, starting and finishing on the field in front of the beach. They were each rewarded with a ribbon and a toy.
In the 2.6k for ages nine to 12 (two loops), Alex Monkman of Gibsons Elementary was strongly challenged by Kaden Walkey of West Sechelt Elementary. The pair of 12 year olds raced head to head the entire way, with Monkman easing ahead by just one second in the final sprint (10:47 to 10:48).
Also in the 12-year-old category, Emily Reid of Pender Harbour Elementary was third finisher overall in a time of 12:50, outrunning Bailey McKinney and Talia Walkey of West Sechelt who were first and second in the girls nine-to-10-year division.
Only two teens showed up to race so they started with the adults in the 6km event. Sechelt's Jessica Marquis, 15, despite having raced in North Vancouver the day before, completed 4km in 17:44. Oliver Telfer of Gibsons, also 15, elected to race the full 6k. Jessica and Oliver bolted off the start line along with Sechelt's Andrew Hansen, while the rest took a bit longer to get up to speed. Larry Nightingale and Oliver were soon pulling away from the field. Teresa Nightingale passed Jessica and Hansen after 600m to move into third place.
At the end of loop one, Oliver was feeling the effects of the fast start and dropped off the pace, leaving Larry Nightingale to run a solo effort for the win in 22:16. Oliver hung on to finish in 24:02, exactly one minute ahead of Teresa Nightingale, who had to work hard to stay focused with no one in sight in front or behind for two laps. Rounding out third spot in the men's race was Hansen, another minute back.
Sechelt's Crystal Spence, first local finisher in the April Fool's Run for a number of years, was next to finish and the second woman across the line. Third female overall was Marisa Alps of Halfmoon Bay.
The organizers would like to thank all the volunteers, as well as sponsors Trail Bay Source for Sports (draw prizes), Wheatberries (coffee and hot chocolate) and Claytons Heritage Market (food).
Full results are posted at www.falltuneup.com.
