Last updated at 8:49 AM on 03/04/07
Runners brave elements
Spring tune up race held in Central Bedeque
JASON SIMMONDS
The Journal Pioneer
Alex Coffin was the overall winner of the spring tune up 10-kilometre run in Central Bedeque recently. His time was 34 minutes seven seconds (34:07). Jason Simmonds/Journal Pioneer
CENTRAL BEDEQUE — In weather that was more conducive to pond hockey or skiing, 25 runners braved unfriendly conditions in the spring tune up 10-kilometre run here Saturday morning.
“It was unbelievable, cool and windy with a strong head wind,” said Shelley Simmons-MacLeod of Summerside, the top-placing female in 45 minutes 35 seconds (45:35). “The first 4K we had the wind against our back, which was great.”
Simmons-MacLeod, 34, finished sixth overall and Alex Coffin, 38, of Saint John was the overall race winner in 34:07. Scott Clark (38:11), Leo McCosham (39:04), Chuck Dixon (41:50) and Mike Irvine (44:26) rounded out the top five overall finishers.
Runners had to deal with a chilly 35-kilometre-an-hour north wind and The Weather Network listed the temperature as feeling like -12 degrees Celsius.
“The wind was on our back the first half and you wanted to take advantage of that,” said Coffin, who was the only participant wearing shorts and added that he was “very pleased” with his time. “I went out real fast and got ready to fight the wind the second half.”
Coffin added the runners went against the wind from the five-to-nine-kilometre mark, and there was a cross-wind for the final kilometre.
“It was a tough run but it was good to get out and see where we’re at,” added Simmons-MacLeod, who was pleased with her performance in her first 10-kilometre run in a year and a half.
“In my mind I was hoping to do 45 or 46 (minutes),” she said. “But in these conditions I thought it might be a bit slower, and I’m really pleased with my time.”
Coffin, along with other runners, used the race as preparation for the Boston Marathon on April 16.
“I’m running in Boston with Scott Clark and I wanted to get one fast last 10K in before the Marathon,” added Coffin, who has family connections to Summerside.
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