Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Islanders on the Run - Last Weekend in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls International Marathon

240(Place) Michael Irvine - 3:41:45.2(Time) 3:41:39.9(Chip) 5:16(Pace) - M50/54 - 22/851(Category Place) - 94/577(Gender Place)

824(Place) Joan Lambie - 5:10:58.6(Time) 5:09:16.6(Chip) 7:23(Pace) - F40 /44 - 67/732(Category Place) - 96/347(Gender Place)

924 Participants

Full Results Here

Congratulations Joan on running your
first Marathon!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

No Swiss miss for P.E.I. modern pentathlete - Kara Grant captures the Swiss Open competition


http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=75628&sc=99
30/10/07
No Swiss miss for P.E.I. modern pentathlete
Kara Grant captures the Swiss Open competition

The Guardian

A last-minute decision to attend a weekend meet in Switzerland has paid off for Kara Grant.

The Stratford native had her best five-event competition of the year to win the Swiss Open modern pentathlon competition in Frauenfeld.

“I shot 183, fenced 1.080 (17 victories, five defeats), swam 2:41, which is amazing considering the amount of time off I had and the minimal intensity and volume in the pool since starting back,” said Grant in an e-mail to The Guardian.

“I rode clear with only a few time penalties and ran 11:01 on a grass course with turns and slightly uneven footing.”

Grant said the run was amazing at this time of the year.

“We actually did a pack start in the run and I knew I had to beat one girl by 15 seconds in order to win the competition.”

The Islander ran with her closest competitor for the first two kilometres before her opponent pulled away about 10 metres.

“Then at the two-kilometre mark I decided it was all or nothing despite being quite tired, and I dropped the hammer and passed her,” said Grant.

“I tried not to look back when my body starting to scream for oxygen with 500m left, 300m of this being slightly uphill. It was a pure guts run by the last 200m and although I finished ahead we didn’t know until the points were tallied if it had been enough.”

Grant would win the event by 12 points.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Marathon Challenge - October 30th on NOVA, on PBS

Marathon Challenge
October 30th on NOVA, on PBS


Original PBS Broadcast Date: October 30, 2007

TV Program Description

How do you run 26.2 miles if you have trouble making it around the block? With good coach­ing, discipline, and lots of group support, as NOVA shows when it follows 13 generally sedentary people through a training regimen designed to prepare them for an ultimate test of stamina and endurance. Created in cooperation with the Boston Athletic Association®, which granted NOVA unprec­edented access to the 111th Boston Marathon®, and Tufts University, "Marathon Challenge" takes viewers on a unique adventure inside the human body, tracking the physiological changes that exercise can bring about.

Former Olympian and three-time Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig offers advice and inspiration to NOVA's runners throughout their training. And veteran Tufts University coach Donald Megerle guides them week-by-week through an onslaught of physical and psychological challenges. NOVA's runners range in age from 22 to 60, and they come to the endeavor with a wide range of medical histories and backgrounds. They share one thing in common: none has ever run a marathon before.

Team NOVA includes Betsey, a hospital administrator who became substantially overweight while recovering from surgery; Jonathan, a hard-charging CEO and father of five whose marriage is breaking apart; Sama, a reformed smoker mourning the recent death of her mother to a hit-and-run driver; Larry, a social worker and 14-year survivor of a serious heart attack; Xenia, a woman turning 40 and struggling with being an "aging sedentary physician"; and Steve, a Harley-riding former NFL linebacker who sees the marathon as a novel challenge for someone used to running only a few yards before tackling an opponent. (To meet the whole group, see Team NOVA.)

Together with their teammates, they undergo a battery of physiological tests conducted by Tufts scien­tists to gauge baseline levels for weight, maximal oxygen uptake, and other health and fitness factors. These same tests are performed again at the completion of the training to chart each runner's response to increased activity (see Fit to Go the Distance).

And increase it does, albeit slowly and under the watchful eyes of Megerle, Pippig, and other exercise specialists, who shepherd the novices from relaxed workouts to demanding long-distance runs (see The Training Calendar). Injuries take a toll, but the group meets faithfully every Sunday for nine months to prepare for the big race. Physical conditioning is only part of the process; equally important is the psychological support that team members get from their coaches and from one another. "We have a lot of fun. It's almost like a love fest," says Pippig.

As marathon day approaches, the forecast calls for pelting rain, gale-force winds, and the possibility of snow—conditions that daunt even experienced marathon runners. On the day itself, April 16, 2007, those who have made it through training arrive at the race's starting point in Hopkinton, Massachusetts sheathed in ponchos, with dry shoes in plastic bags. Then, at 10:30 a.m., the starting gun fires, and they join 20,000 other runners for the epic race to Boston—a journey that few on Team NOVA ever dreamed pos­sible (see Marathon Diaries).


Team Nova

In the summer of 2006, a dozen very different individuals came together to form a quirky sports team. Not one of them was a hard-core runner; some couldn't even make it through a mile, yet all were determined to train for the Boston Marathon. Fortunately, they had the guidance of veteran coach Don Megerle of Tufts University and superstar marathoner Uta Pippig. Click on the images at right to find out what motivated each person to take on the challenge.—Susan K. Lewis

Note: Following the premiere of "Marathon Challenge" on October 30, 2007, come back to get details on how each runner did in the race and read personal accounts of how, in hindsight, the experience has changed them.

Marathon Diaries
For Team NOVA, training for the Boston Marathon was an odyssey full of pitfalls, small triumphs, and transformations. Along the way, the runners recorded their innermost thoughts in e-mails to one another, Coach Don Megerle, and NOVA's producers. Here, delve into four intensely personal stories, told through interviews, e-mails, and other notes. You can also watch short videos of the runners sharing their sagas firsthand.—Susan K. Lewis

The Training Calendar

How do you prepare novice runners for the Boston Marathon? Three-time Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig, Coach Don Megerle, and the rest of our training team at Tufts University had less than 10 months. But rather than "whip them into shape," Uta and Coach Don knew it would be best to use a mix of discipline, inspiration, and gentle cajoling. Each runner had different challenges to overcome—years of smoking and inactivity, and histories of heart disease and diabetes among them. But all the members of Team NOVA had the desire and potential to make great strides. Explore, month by month, the detailed Training Calendar they followed. And if you're inspired to take on such an endeavor yourself, see these Ten Tips.—Mary Kennedy, Tufts University


Ask The Expert
Are you curious about whether or not marathon training is right for you? Do you have a question about potential risks or benefits? From now through Wednesday, October 31 (the day after the broadcast), e-mail it to us. Miriam Nelson, who helped advise Team NOVA throughout their marathon challenge, will answer selected questions. The first batch of Q&A is posted below. Additional Q&A will be posted on November 6. Please note that questions may be edited for clarity.

Fit to go the Distance
When you watch an Olympic weightlifter hoist a 500-pound barbell over his head, or see a gymnast gracefully slide into a split, the physical attributes that allow these athletes to excel in their sports may seem obvious. But what is it—both physically and psychologically—that makes an elite marathoner able to run over 26 miles in little more than two hours? And can almost anyone—even someone who has been sedentary for years—become fit enough to run a marathon?

NOVA wanted to investigate these questions through the "Marathon Challenge," and with the help of a dozen enthusiastic recruits, we set out to see if "ordinary people" could transform themselves into marathoners in just a matter of months. The results were extraordinary.


Ten Tips from the NOVA Marathon Challenge Training Team
Say you've never been a runner, but you get a sudden urge to take on a marathon or even just a 5K race. How do you begin? You can start with these tips.

Mind of a Marathoner
As a marathoner, I realize that running 26.2 miles is not limited by physical capabilities but rather by the mind. Experience has shown that everyone can complete the event with the right goals, attitude, and preparation. You must have a strong spirit and a willingness to overcome fear and treat the marathon, and many of life's challenges, as an adventure.

Show Preview
Explore what it takes—physically and mentally—for novice runners to make it through a classic test of endurance. Running time 2 minutes 1 second

Wally Rodd 10K and BBQ at Monique's

At the Wally Rodd we can dress up in Halloween costumes


I looked like one of PEI's most famous "people"


But maybe I was really one of my favourite PEI RoadRunners....


Saturday, October 27, 2007
"Flat and fast course"

It was sunny and cloudy and 8 degrees.

I told mom run the second best time in 10km and I did.




He finish in 24th out of 143 Runners with the time of 42:16 beat my old second best time of 44:15 by nearly two minutes in 2004 still 1:18 off 40:58 my PB.

Stanley Chaisson set the course record be a minute a half.

The race course on out and back at Charlottetown and Victoria Park.

Afterwards there was free chili and beer.

Lots of people set PBs, Scott Clark came 2nd with PB of 34:39, Jamie Nickerson came 3rd with PB of 35:05.

Cheryl and Monique and Bertha from Stan's running group all had PBs. Congratulations everyone!























Afterwards I went to Monique's House for BBQ for Stan's running group. Scott BBQ chickens and streaks. There were salads, snacks, dessert. Luke is Monique's grandson he was Autistic and playing computer with me.

I really have a good time. Thank You Monique and Scott!

Official Result: 24th out of 143
10K in 42 minutes, 16 seconds
2005 Wally Rodd
2004 Wally Rodd

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure

More Photos from....
The Wally Rodd 10K *~*~* The BBQ at Monique's

(click on photos to enlarge)






















































































Thank You Monique & Scott !


If you would like to be part of something special like this, a group that runs together, has fun together, and maybe, like so many of them, improve your running to the point of running Personal Best times, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned runner, look into Stanley's Running Clinics at


PEI In Motion

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A great day for a run - Off and Running by Cheryl Paynter


Monday, October 15th
(Click on images to enlarge & read)


























Islanders on the Run - Last Weekend in the Kennebecasis Valley

Islanders in the Full Marathon:
26(Place) - Kim Bailey - 1:49:02(Split) - 3:43:54*(Finish Time) - 5:20(Pace)
37(Place) - Doug MacEachern - 1:53:59(Split) - 3:56:32(Finish Time) - 5:38(Pace)
43(Place) - Judy West - 1:58:52(Split) - 4:04:24*(Finish Time) - 5:50(Pace)
53(Place) - Rick West - 1:55:24(Split) - 4:13:49(Finish Time) - 6:03(Pace)
54(Place) - Sara Deveau - 2:05:10(Split) - 4:16:51(Finish Time) - 6:07(Pace)

*Qualified for Boston Marathon

66 runners total
Full Results

Islanders in the 2 Member Teams:
8(Place)- Fred And Gerti From Pei (Edna Vloet & Tanya Gregory)
55:03(Leg 1) - 1:02:11(Leg 2) - 55:16(Leg 3) - 55:01(Leg 4) - 3:47:31(Finish Time)

12 teams total

Full Team Results
Congratulations All!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Cross-country runners race for school medals


16/10/07
Cross-country runners race for school medals
PEISAA sees an increase in the number of participants this year

The Guardian

More than 800 athletes competed in 10 different categories at the Source For Sports/P.E.I. School Athletic Association provincial cross- country championships Saturday at the Mill River Provincial Park.

The event was hosted by the Westisle family of schools.

A total of 815 students ran in the event, an increase of 77 runners from the previous year.

“The first race started on time and the competition finished on time,” said meet manager Paul Goguen. “We had perfect weather for running 815 competitors. The rain held off until we were done our last presentation of awards . . . That’s how smooth the competition went.”

Following is roundup of the meet:

Pre-novice

The pre-novice boys and girls (under-10 years) ran a 1.5-kilometre race where a total of 269 runners ran the set course.

Morganne Rice of Cardigan and Jesse Annear of Montague won the gold medals in their respective races.

Adele Arsenault of Ecole Evangeline and Julie MacMillan of Glen Stewart won silver and bronze in pre-novice girls.

Shane Pendergast of Tracadie Cross and Conor MacIntyre of Cardigan won the boys’ silver and bronze.

Athena boys and Glen Stewart girls won the team titles.

Novice

The novice boys and girls (under-12) division saw 246 competitors ran the demanding 2.5-kilometre course.

Stephen Seviour of Glen Stewart and Maggee Fraser of Alberton won the overall gold medals.

Martin Sobey of Glen Stewart and Spencer Groom of Athena won the boys’ silver and bronze while Darbie Oliver of St. Louis and Lydia Schurman of Elm Street won the girls’ silver and bronze medals.

The team titles were won the Glen Stewart boys and L.M. Montgomery girls.

Bantam

The bantam boys and girls (under-14) ran a three-kilometre race where 144 runners took part.

Kyle Gillis of Stonepark and Melissa Richardson of East Wiltshire took top honours.

Sven Stammberger of Kensington and Matthew Glover of Southern Kings won silver and bronze in the boys’ category.

Logan McAulay of Athena and Sarah Steele of Stonepark claimed silver and bronze in the girls’ category.

Stonepark won both team titles.

Midget

The midget boys and girls (under-16) ran a 3.5-kilometre course with 93 runners competing.

Spencer Smith of Morell high and Taylor MacIntyre (school unavailable) won the gold medals.

Curtis Arsenault of Evangeline and Justin Pinksen of Kensington won the boys’ silver and bronze while Cierra Gaudet of Three Oaks and Rachel Creamer of Colonel Gray won the girls’ silver and bronze medals.

The Morell boys and Summerside girls won the team competitions.

Senior

Senior boys and girls ran a four-kilometre course with 63 taking part.

Gold medals went to Jordan Ellis and Kristy Wallace, both of Westisle.

Boys’ silver and bronze went to Denis Cheverie of Morell and Daniel Wilson of Bluefield, with Madeline Crowell of Colonel Gray (silver) and Aimee Jenkins of Charlottetown Rural (bronze) taking the other female medals.

Team gold went to Charlottetown Rural boys and Westisle girls.

16/10/07
A big event
Largest school sporting event in province held at Mill River

DEBBIE HORNE
The Journal Pioneer
Anna Stammberger, coach of the Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School’s midget girls’ cross-country team,provides some last-minute words of encouragement to her team while pinning numbers.
From left: Stammberger, Emily Paynter, Malary Schurman, Tessa Stammberger, Zoe Pocock and Katie Harrison.

Mill River was recently teeming with athletes as the 2007 P.E.I. School Athletic Association/Source for Sports provincial cross-county championships were held at the provincial park.

This is the fifth year Mill River has hosted the event, and 815 runners participated. This is the largest school sporting event in the province.

"The number of participants was lower than last year. The weather may have had something to do with it. There was also a big marathon in Charlottetown and there were other sporting events that seemed to conflict with this event over the weekend," said Paul Goguen, P.E.I. School Athletic Association commissioner for the cross-country meet.

The colours of fall provided a visually-pleasing backdrop for the hundreds of parents, coaches, fans and supporters who were on hand.

Goguen, along with his group of faithful volunteers and the Hernewood leadership class, organized and ran the event, which included five boys and girls divisions from pre-novice to senior.

Goguen praised the Hernewood leadership class, under the guidance of Blair O'Halloran.

"I couldn't do this without them, and I can't say enough about them," said Goguen.

Garth Turtle, PEISAA executive director, said the cross-country course was in excellent condition despite heavy rain and winds the previous day. Showers held off until the last runners were in.

"Obviously we were fortunate that the weather cooperated until the event was finished," said Turtle. "But the highlight was how well it was organized by Paul and the volunteers.

"It sets a high standard and that's probably why it continues to be held there."




PEI Marathon - Newspaper coverage


Running with the Best
The Guardian's Photo Gallery



http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=71250&sc=98
Marathoners turn capital into a beehive of activity
15/10/07
TERESA WRIGHT CONSTABLE
The Guardian


An autumn Sunday in downtown Charlottetown is usually tranquil and still — most businesses sleepily opening their doors no earlier than noon as the capital takes a break before starting another busy week.

But yesterday was not a quiet October Sunday. On this day, Charlottetown was abuzz with activity and energy at the P.E.I. Marathon finish line.

Barricades lined the streets, leading runners to the race’s end. Large tents housing lively bands allowed for cheerful music to pour into every corner of the city.

And hundreds of people came out to hail marathon participants huffing their way to the finish line.

As each contestant rounded the final curve of University Avenue to the finish line banner, the energetic crowd of supporters lined the barricades and greeted each finisher with loud claps and cheers through the day.

For Mark Smallwood, feeling this energy from the crowd’s hurrahs as he made his way to the end of the half-marathon kept him going.

“I was ready to give up a couple of times,’’ he said. “But I felt rejuvenated coming down the finishing stretch.’’
Some people used bright green thunder sticks to clap support for their friends or family members in the marathon.

Others just stood along the metal barricades, waiting to catch a glimpse of their loved ones as they arrived at the end.

Heather Bowlan stood quietly on University Avenue as she waited for her son Mark to make it to the finish line.

Her look of pride was unmistakable.

“I know how much he’s been working and training over the years, and he bikes, too.’’

This was his fourth year running in the P.E.I. Marathon, so she’s witnessed the marathon’s popularity grow ever year.

She said it was fantastic to see how many people came out to cheer on the participants.

“It takes a lot of work to run in this, and I think it’s great that every year more people come out to support them.’’

The crowd’s size and spirit also excited Kim Doyle of Charlottetown.

Doyle said it was energizing to see so many people in the downtown at this normally slower time of year.
“There are thousands of people around - it’s such a great day,’’ she said.

“I was down in Brighton and people around the community and in the neighbourhood had signs up for their friends to cheer them on.’’

These signs, scrawled with messages of support, could be seen scattered throughout the crowd, raised above people’s heads to mark their presence and support for the racers.

Two young girls ran alongside their father as he paced his way through the final stretch. They each held big brightly coloured signs - one that read, ‘Go Dad!’ and the other agreeing with a big ‘Yeah!’

Then as the runners finally came across the finish line, they were met by volunteers who draped an aluminum blanket around their shoulders and patted them on the back with a bright smile and a warm “Congratulations. You made it!’’

The participants were then guided around the corner to Grafton Street, where more volunteers presented them with drinks, fruit and cookies.

A warm feeling of celebration hung in the air around the successful marathoners, who wore their aluminum blankets and contestant numbers like badges of honour.

A woman holding a small child on her hip beamed with pride at her husband as he jogged into the finish line area.

“We’re so proud of you,’’ she said, handing him a towel to wipe the sweat from his face.

“I knew you could do it.’’
*****
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=71246&sc=99
All in the family
With their children cheering them on, Kenny and Alison MacDougall
successfully complete the half-marathon on Sunday


JIM DAY
The Guardian

Alison and Kenny MacDougall don't need their two young children to keep them on the run.

Rather, the Stratford couple lean on others to watch their offspring while they are running.

Alison ran her first full marathon in P.E.I. last year while her husband completed his second.

The pair opted to tackle just the half-marathon Sunday, but training was still a major feat. Alison and Kenny had to find the time and the help to allow them to run, hold down full-time jobs and raise two youngsters.

Kenny, a junior high vice-principal, would run early in the morning before the children got up. Alison, who does account management, used her lunch hours to train.

The pair would also hire babysitters to allow them time to run. And on Sundays, the couple would head off for their longest runs of the week while a grandparent or two tended to two-year-old Ella and five-year-old Riley.

Alison described the time management effort as “pretty big”.

Kenny said all the running in preparation for Sunday's half-marathon actually gave him more energy to keep up with his active children: Riley is into T-ball, soccer, swimming and hockey, and Ella is simply always on the go.

Alison's father carted Riley and Ella to different spots along the half-marathon route so they could see — and cheer on — mom and dad several times.

Alison hoisted her daughter into her arms after finishing the race in one hour and fifty-one minutes. Fatigue was apparent as she soon gently lowered Ella to the ground.

Kenny, who crossed the finish line 12 minutes faster than his wife, is planning to coax Alison to train for the full marathon in Halifax next May.

Any babysitters looking for some work?
*****
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=71245&sc=99
‘If I had to crawl, I’d crawl over (the finish line)
Rugby player Jeff Boswell says the support he received from spectators was huge

JIM DAY
The Guardian


Jeff Boswell has been on the run for a long time — but never like Sunday.

Boswell, 28, has pounded the pavement for many years to keep in good form for rugby, which he still plays on a senior men’s team.

In April, he started running with his eye on finishing the full Prince Edward Island Marathon for the first time.

Already in good shape, Boswell, a quality control technician, was able to cover 10 kilometres right off the bat. He bought a book on marathon running and tailored the advice to his own plan of attack.

On average, he ran five times a week, and biked another two or three times. He constantly worked at increasing the length of his runs while also upping the total distance covered each week.

A global position system watch helped him keep tabs on his progress by measuring distance, pace and time of each run. Water strategically hidden along his running route would be nabbed as need be.

A calf injury from pushing himself so hard was not enough to sideline the runner. He ran on with discomfort, and eventually pain, before heading to a physiotherapist. He was told he hadn’t been stretching properly.

His training continued and with several weeks before the big run, Boswell hit 34 kilometres. That would be his longest run — until Sunday.

He lined up for the start of the race on a morning with ideal marathon weather conditions — cool, dry and relatively calm winds — determined to add eight kilometres in distance to his previous best run in order to complete the 42-kilometre trek.

His game plan was to take it slow for the first half of the marathon, then pick it up and “leave everything on the course.”'

The first half was a breeze, but when he got to about 10 kilometres shy of the finish line, he had to give himself a good boot and a strong push.

He wasn’t going to stop.

“If I had to crawl, I’d crawl over (the finish line),” he said.

Supportive spectators that lined the route helped him keep his feet moving as well.

“They’re just telling you to ‘give it and go for it’. That’s huge,” he said.

Running Sunday with so many other people, he added, made for a much different outing than his usual solo runs in training for the marathon.

“It’s hard not to try to keep up with some of the faster runners because I’m a competitive guy,” he said.

Three hours and eight minutes after starting his first-ever attempt at running a full marathon, Boswell crossed the finish line on University Avenue in front of Province House. The accomplishment, he said, felt huge.

Physically, he felt “pretty good” but he was bracing himself for some cramping he anticipated would soon start creeping in.

Boswell said he hopes to run the marathon again next year, but even faster.
*****
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=71244&sc=99
Chaisson leaves rest of the field behind
Charlottetown resident wins second straight half-marathon

DON MORRISON
The Guardian

One thing Stanley Chaisson wanted was to run faster than a year ago.

The resident of Charlottetown did and the rest of the field was left behind.

Chaisson captured his second straight half-marathon, finishing in a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 14 seconds.

Sunday’s event was held in conjunction with the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon.

Kensington native Rachael McCarvill retained her women’s crown, taking second overall, in 1:26:39 while Marco Lores of Charlottetown (1:27:52) claimed third.

Islanders took the top eight placings.

Shane Gill of Stratford was fourth in 1:29:47, Sheldon Opps of Charlottetown fifth (1:30:44), Dustin Gavin of Tignish sixth (1:33:02), Andre Chiasson of Summerside seventh (1:33:23) and Trevor Cameron of Summerside eighth (1:34:07).

“I ran faster than last year and that was my goal,” said Chaisson, who won the 2006 event in 1:13:52.

Using a kilometre pace of three minutes and 27 seconds, the Bear River native encountered only one bit of discomfort in beating a field of 396 half-marathoners.

“I started feeling it in my calves at about 15K, other than that I was fine,” said Chaisson, who set a record of 1:25:31 in winning the 34th annual Community Harvest Festival 25-kilometre road race earlier in the year.

McCarvill ran a 4:08 per kilometre pace in taking the women’s title.

“I am so happy with today,” she said. “It was just a fantastic day for running, the weather was perfect.”

McCarvill was the top Islander at the St. F.X. Invitational cross-country championship a week earlier with an eighth-place showing.

The two races, she said, aren’t comparable.

“It's a completely different way of running,” said the UPEI student. “That was my first time doing a cross-country meet. It was a really different way of running and I felt more tired after that 5K than I do now.”

Allyson MacDonald of Fredericton, N.B., was second among female runners, finishing 26th overall in 1:37:39.
*****
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=71243&sc=99
On their feet
Summerside’s Scott Clark wins his first Prince Edward Island Marathon, following two earlier runner-up finishes, while Jennifer Vandongen of Maine is the first female to finish the event, placing 14th overall

DON MORRISON
The Guardian

Scott Clark has his marathon victory.

With a host of second-place finishes to his credit, the 44-year-old Summerside native moved to the top of the podium by winning the BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon Sunday in Charlottetown.

“I set a personal best, too,” said Clark, who covered the 42.195-kilometre course in two hours, 49 minutes and 16 minutes. “I’m more happy about that than the win.”

Besides the full-marathon, sponsored by The Guardian, the event also included a half-marathon run and walk, a 10-kilometre run and walk, a corporate relay and the Kids Spud Run.

Clark, coming off two consecutive runner-up finishes in the Island marathon,
used the ideal weather conditions to open a lead on the field of 191 runners at 18 kilometres.

It was the second time in three years an Islander has won the provincial marathon after Rob MacKenzie of Cornwall took the 2005 event.

Peter Sullivan, a medical student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, was second in 2:50:09 while Donald MacIntyre of Sydney was third, another six minutes back.

Paul Baglole of Meadow Bank was fourth in 2:57:25 while the remainder of the top 10 included Timothy Tunney of Ellsworth, Maine (2:59:16), Kendall MacDonald of Stratford (3:01:10), Ian Holdway of Beechville, N.S. (3:01:46), Bryn Kowalchuk of Entwistle, Alta. (3:01:56), Tim Murphy of Montague (3:05:06), and Jeff Boswell of Charlottetown (3:08:54).

Jennifer Vandongen of Bath, Maine, was the first female finisher, placing 14th overall in 3:10:56. Jennifer Nicholson of Cornwall was second, 16th overall, in 3:13:24.

Penny Hart of Halifax was third among the women, placing 31st overall in 3:24:16 while Nancy Morris of Charlottetown was fourth (32nd overall) in 3:24:57.

The race produced 48 qualifiers for the 112th Boston Marathon April 21.

For Clark, it was almost a textbook finish, following his pre-race expectation.

“I planned on running a 2:50 marathon and I got in around 2:49,” said Clark, the runner-up at the Blue Nose Marathon at Halifax in May where he set his previous best of 2:49:22. “I was right on my pace the whole way.”

Clark, the top Islander at the 2007 Boston Marathon placing 401st in 2:51:25, admitted his legs were getting tight over the last kilometre but he fed off the crowd at the end.

“Fortunately, there is a bit of a downhill, but the crowd really brings you in the last little bit. The crowd pulls you through to the finish and you kind of pick the pace up. You just ignore the pain at that time and when you see them pulling the ribbon up it’s a pretty good feeling.”

Sullivan, a shorter distance runner competing in his first marathon, was delighted with his performance.

“Totally happy with it,” said the Ontario native. “I said before I don’t want to make a habit of running these marathons because I would like to keep some legs to run some 1,500s on the track and that kind of stuff which is more where I’m at. I wanted to run an interesting marathon for my first one and decided to come here.”

The intent was to start slowly but Sullivan said that changed quickly.

“I didn’t want to go out too hard and kind of got sucked in a little bit,” he said. “I caught (Scott) about 3K and stayed with him for the next 15. That was great . . . I felt good the whole time (but) he put in a surge in just before the half and I knew I didn’t have the legs to go with him so I let him go.”

Vandongen recorded her second-best marathon time to claim the women’s division.

“I kind of just went out to have a good day,” said the American. “I came through the half at 1:35 which is about usual when I run marathons. I was on pace there.”

The top female said the change from road to the Confederation Trail just past the midway point, was different.

“Running on the trail was a little hard,” said Vandongen.

“It was the change of surface, you have to change it up a little bit and then you hit the road again and it feels a lot better.”

Nicholson entered with a specific target.

“My goal for my first marathon was to qualify for Boston and I’ve done that,” said Nicholson. “It was lots of fun. I’m ecstatic.”

Runners were greeted with almost perfect conditions with temperatures around 12C and predominately sunny.

Children get a taste of healthy living
through family marathon activities
(Click on image to enlarge & read)
(Click on image to enlarge & read)

(Click on image to enlarge & read)



http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=71167&sc=119
Summerside runner win P.E.I. Marathon
Clarks also registers personal best time

CHRIS MARSHALL
The Journal Pioneer


CHARLOTTETOWN -- Scott Clark of Summerside only registered for The Prince Edward Island Marathon less than 24 hours before the race began.

Clark, who was runner-up in the last two Island marathons, won his first-ever marathon in 16 attempts Sunday -- and did it in a personal best time of two hours 49 minutes 15 seconds (2:49:15)

Clark had run a marathon in Saint John, N.B., three weeks ago and the race took its toll on him.

"I guess I was pretty sure I was going to race (today) but I had to re-focus on my training after the Saint John race, and wanted to prove to myself that I could run a sub-2:50 (two hours 50 minutes) race, which I did," said an elated Clark.

Almost 900 participants took part in the various legs of the event, which included a half marathon, marathon, 10-kilometre walk and corporate relay.

Jennifer Vandongen from Bath, Maine, was the top-placing female. Stanley Chaisson of Charlottetown won the half marathon in 1:12:14, and Rachael McCarvill of Charlottetown and formerly of Kensington was second overall.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

PEI Marathon 2007 - A Personal Best Half-Marathon

What a beautiful morning for a Marathon......
Alex, #617, ready to go......























They're off.........


Heading into UPEI.....






















Down the Sherwood Road....

University Ave. & Belvedere....























In front of RCMP Headquarters....

19.9K mark, University Ave & Kirkwood....






















The final few blocks, he will overtake
everyone you see in front of him......

Finish Line in sight......
















1:38:59 - A Personal Best
34th out of 396 runners
Inspire
"Many people have gone further than they imagined they could
because somebody else thought they could"

Stanley Chaisson & Scott Clark
Winners of the Half-Marathon & Full Marathon
Both ran Personal Bests
(Stan -
1:12:13 Scott - 2:49:15)
Way to go guys!!


Alex's 2006 PEI Half-Marathon
Alex's 2005 PEI Half-Marathon
Alex's 2004 PEI Half-Marathon

It was sunny and cloudy and 11 degrees and no wind when started.

Were two pace bunnies one for the 1:40 and one for the 2:00. I ran ahead of pace bunny.

Ran with Sean McNeill first few kms, Shelly Simmons-MacLeod for long time and she tell to hard breathe from stitch of side. That work good. Thanks Shelly!

John van Ekris put up big sign by Peter Pan Corner about said first names of Stan's Running Group.

Members of Charlottetown Abbies at 3 water stops.

Within 2km to finish at Burger King My mom rode on bike to finish line.

I pass 9 people in last 2kms.

At the finish line wave cap they call his name on the speaker and lots a people cheering. Breaking 1:40 barrier and I felt great.

My friends have a good day too, especially Stan and Scott for personal best times and winning. 396 runners in half and 190 runnings in full. Next year I run the first marathon in running career.


Prince Edward Island 2007 Photo Album

Deborah Mutch's photos of Alex's start & finish
(thanx Deb!!)

Stanley, already running a race all his own
Alex's Start









Alex's Finish





















Click HERE to see all Deborah's photos


Running
For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure