Freeze Your Gizzard 2009 - with a GPS

It was sunny and -6 degrees.

Before the race Jamie give me his old Garmin Forerunner because his got a new one. Thank you very much Jamie! I really like it.

The 10.5km loop course in Montague and countryside.

Mark McCosham and Ellen Sherren for the 10km.

Leo McCosham won the half-marathon and Erin Callaghan for the top female.
I finished in 1:40:42 and came in 14th out of 55 runners.

It was first race of 2009.

On March 6 the PEI Roadrunner Club Award Banquet at Charlottetown Legion.

I making slide show containing 300 photos for it.

The next race is St. Patrick Day 5km Easter Seals run at UPEI. My mom won't be there and my dad attend at race.

More Photos

Photos from the Freeze Your Gizzard 2006-2008

Official Result: 14th out of 55
Half-Marathon in 1 hour, 40 minutes, 42 seconds

Freeze Your Gizzard 2008
Freeze Your Gizzard 2007
Freeze Your Gizzard 2006


(Wonder how the other Alex Bain did today in his half-marathon?)

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2009/02/18/pe-olympic-contribution.html

Olympics get $500,000 from P.E.I.

CBC News

Vancouver Olympics mascots skate with
Charlottetown schoolchildren on Wednesday. (CBC)

Prince Edward Island is putting half a million dollars towards the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

The contribution will allow the province to participate in a number of Olympic events, including a Prince Edward Island day to promote its culture and heritage.

Premier Robert Ghiz and P.E.I. Olympian Kara Grant joined Quatchi, Miga and Sumi, the Vancouver Olympics mascots, for a skate with Charlottetown school children Tuesday to make the announcement.

"Three billion people watching the opening ceremonies and billions more watching it throughout the week. It's going to be a good opportunity for Canada to showcase itself and also for Prince Edward Island," Ghiz said.

Most other provinces have already signed on as contributing partners, which allows them to showcase themselves and participate in what's being called the Cultural Olympiad.

Grant called the chance to play a part in the Games "a wonderful opportunity here that doesn't come around very often. It's something that I certainly am very excited about, that I hope to be a part of in some way."

The Olympic torch will be on P.E.I. Nov. 21 and will be carried 320 kilometers over land and water in a relay involving 250 torchbearers.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=223218&sc=98

Province contributes $500,000 to Olympic team

DAVE STEWART
The Guardian

Mascots were all over town Tuesday as the Winter Olympics and Canada Summer Games mascots were out and about meeting sports groups and schoolchildren. One stop was at the Charlottetown Curling Club where they met Ben MacCallum, left, and his brother Jake and tried their hand at curling. In back are Miga (Sea Bear); Quatchie (Sasquatch) and Sumi (Spirit Bear). With them are Abbie and Eddie. The youngsters are with the Charlottetown Junior Curling Program - The Little Rock Curlers. Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

P.E.I. Olympian Kara Grant says hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver will serve as inspiration for Island children to become more involved in physical activity.
Grant was at a news conference in Charlottetown Tuesday where the provincial government announced it will contribute $500,000 directly to the Canadian team at the Games and is set to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage to the world.
The modern pentathlete, who competed at the Olympic Games during the summers of 2004 and 2008, said one of the biggest highlights of her career was competing at the 1999 Pan-American Games in Winnipeg.
The chance to compete in front of a home crowd was a dream come true for her and she feels Island children are going to be pumped about having the Canada Games on P.E.I. this summer and the Olympic Games in Vancouver next winter.
“I’ve competed in dozens of countries around the world and that moment of standing on the podium, getting my bronze medal in Winnipeg is still one of the highlights of my
career,” Grant said in an interview with The Guardian.
“The fact that I was on home soil was a big part of that.”
And, it will be exciting for the kids watching at home, drinking in all the excitement of a country cheering on its own athletes on home turf.
“We have a great opportunity to promote sport, promote physical activity. We have a problem across Canada and particularly in the Maritimes (of) obesity. We have a real need to educate people to get people to be more active.”
P.E.I.’s contribution to the Olympic Games falls under VANOC’s (Vancouver Olympic Committee) contributing province/territory program. It enables P.E.I. to participate in the following:
* Organize a Prince Edward Island Day at the 2010 Games to promote the province;
* Participate in the Cultural Olympiad, which will include opportunities for Island artists;
* Encourage aboriginal participation in the Games and preceding events;
* Access VANOC promotional materials;
* Use the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Own the Podium 2010 logos;
* Promote educational and volunteer opportunities relating to sport and culture and encourage healthy lifestyles;
* Participate in the historic torch relay for the Vancouver 2010 Games.
Premier Robert Ghiz said a portion of the $500,000 contribution is in-kind and it’s spread out over two years. VANOC has negotiated or is in talks with every province and territory to become a member of the contributing province/territory program.
“It’s going to be an opportunity for us to really do two things — promote our province at the Canada Games . . . and make sure our athletes are properly funded so that we’ll be able to see the best possible showing,” Ghiz said.
“Most provinces are now onside and this is something we want to make sure we’re contributing to the future of Prince Edward Island and Canada.”
Grant said that without contributions like government’s on Tuesday she would not have been able to afford to compete in two Olympic Games.
Taleeb Noormohamed, director of corporate strategy and partner relations for VANOC, said with more than three billion television viewers, 50,000 journalists and hundreds of thousands of visitors pouring in a year from now, P.E.I. will easily recoup its investment.
“Prince Edward Island was very, very clear about its desires about sharing the Island’s culture, cultural communities and its history, heritage and support for athletes,’’ Noormohamed said following the news conference.
But it’s the exposure the kids on P.E.I. will be getting by watching the Games that matters most to Grant.
“So many of these kids will go on to compete in Canada Games and Olympic Games.”

Torch relay:

The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games torch relay comes to Prince Edward Island Nov. 21, 2009:
* The Olympic torch begins 106 days prior to the Games;
* The torch will cover 45,000 kilometres across land, sea and air in Canada;
* The torch will go through 26 different communities on P.E.I.;
* A total of 250 Islanders will get a chance to carry the torch.

Application for 2009 ING New York City Marathon Opens Thursday, February 19

http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2009/02/application-for-2009-ing-new-york-city-marathon-opens-thursday-february-19/

Application for 2009 ING New York City Marathon Opens
Thursday, February 19

by Adam Jacobs

The application for the ING New York City Marathon 2009 will open on Thursday, February 19, at noon at www.ingnycmarathon.org, announced race director Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. It’s a historic year as the race celebrates its 40th running. This year’s ING New York City Marathon will be on Sunday, November 1.

“First times and long timers alike won’t want to miss the 40th edition,” Wittenberg said. “The marathon ‘class of 2009’ will be treated to an experience of a lifetime as we celebrate both our legendary champions and the nearly 788,000 participants who have crossed our finish line with a race week filled with unique events.”

Applications for the lottery from individuals with a U.S. address will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009, and results will be posted in mid-June. Applications from individuals without a U.S. address and all applicants eligible for guaranteed entry will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2009, and results will be posted in mid-May. Entry fees for runners accepted through the lottery (as well as guaranteed entrants) will be $138 for New York Road Runners members, $171 for non-members, and $231 for international entrants.

A record number of more than 105,000 people applied to the 2008 event, and the race hosted one of its largest fields ever with more than 38,000 finishers. Last year, more than $18 million was raised for charity, and the race’s economic impact totaled approximately $220 million. It was a year of repeat champions, as Paula Radcliffe won her third ING New York City Marathon title in 2:23:56 and Marilson Gomes dos Santos outlasted Abderrahim Goumri in the final mile to claim his second ING New York City Marathon crown in 2:08:43. Female wheelchair winner Edith Hunkeler finished in 2:06:42, capturing her fourth title, and male wheelchair defending champion Kurt Fearnley finished in 1:44:50 to claim his third consecutive crown.

Also in 2008, Kara Goucher impressed the hometown crowd in finishing third in an American debut record of 2:25:53, surpassing Deena Kastor’s mark of 2:26:58, set in 2001 at the New York City Marathon. Goucher is the first American woman to reach the podium in New York since Anne Marie Letko in 1994.

Via: New York Road Runners

Prince Edward Island Joins Vancouver 2010 Team as Contributing Province

For Immediate Release
February 17, 2009

Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND JOINS VANCOUVER 2010 TEAM AS CONTRIBUTING PROVINCE

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- With less than a year to go until the Opening Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Prince Edward Island has joined in the excitement by contributing directly to the success of the Canadian team and is set to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage to the world.

The spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was alive today as Premier Robert Ghiz and Sport Minister Carolyn Bertram joined Taleeb Noormohamed, Director Corporate Strategy and Partner Relations for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), to announce that Prince Edward Island has joined VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory Program (CPTP).

“I am pleased to announce today that Prince Edward Island has joined the Contributing Province/Territory Program for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said Premier Ghiz. “As part of this agreement, the province will be contributing toward showcasing our Island’s arts and culture through the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, and directly supporting the staging of the Games. I know that Islanders will be especially proud when the Olympic torch comes through our province on November 21, 2009.”

“The Vancouver 2010 Winter Games will be a spectacular celebration that allows us to highlight the unique history and proud people that make up our country,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer VANOC. “We want to thank Prince Edward Island for contributing to the program and participating in this adventure on our way to 2010. We look forward to sharing the stories of the Island to a world audience.”

VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory enables Prince Edward Island to participate in the following:

• Organize a Prince Edward Island Day at the 2010 Winter Games to promote the province;

• Participate in the Cultural Olympiad, which will include opportunities for Prince Edward Island artists;

• Encourage Aboriginal participation in the Games and preceding events;

• Access VANOC promotional materials;

• Use the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Own the Podium 2010 logos;

• Promote educational and volunteer opportunities relating to sport and culture, and encourage healthy lifestyles; and

• Participate in the historic torch relay for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“We are proud that Prince Edward Island will be a participant in the historic torch relay for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said Minister Bertram. The Olympic Flame relay will travel 320 kilometres by land and water in our province, involve 250 torchbearers and visit 26 Island communities, including the First Nations home of Lennox Island.”

BACKGROUND

Contributing Province/Territory Program

VANOC’s Contributing Province/Territory Program offers a structured avenue for all provinces and territories to participate in the 2010 Winter Games. Under the CPTP, signatory provinces and territories receive a package of benefits that create a close association with the Games, similar to those of corporate sponsors. In return, participating provinces and territories make a financial contribution towards the success of Canadian athletes in 2010 through the Own the Podium 2010 program; culture and arts, through the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad; and directly, to staging successful Games in 2010. VANOC developed this new program in response to interest demonstrated by Canada’s provinces and territories outside of British Columbia to allow for greater involvement in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

VANOC

VANOC’s government partners provide funding, infrastructure, essential service support and management services to the 2010 Winter Games, which will contribute to the lasting economic, sport, cultural and social legacies for citizens and communities throughout Canada. VANOC’s government partners include the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Prince Edward Island today joins VANOC’s existing Contributing Province/Territory Program partners, including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, and Saskatchewan. VANOC’s Venue Cities are Richmond, Surrey and West Vancouver. VANOC has also signed an MOU with each Canadian province and territory.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province. One of the four Atlantic Provinces, this crescent shaped Island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the Atlantic Coast of the Canadian mainland. Steeped in heritage and history, Prince Edward Island is where the idea of Canada was born. Islanders and visitors enjoy both cultural and sporting activities such as main stage and community theatres, museums, art galleries, good restaurants, regular festivals and events, fabulous beaches and swimming, great golf, scenic walking trails, and national and international sports competitions.

The 2009 Canada Games will be held in Prince Edward Island August 15-29. This will mark the first time an entire province has hosted any set of Games with sport venues in 15 different communities stretching across the Island. Athletes will compete in 18 sports, and participants from across Canada will take part in the National Arts Program.

- 30 -

New athletic facility officially named UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=222382&sc=98

New athletic facility officially named
UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place

AL MACLEOD
The Guardian

From left, UPEI Panthers defenceman Aaron Dawson, women’s volleyball player Lindsay Rodgerson, student donor Alicia Bremner and Wayne Carew, vice-president of the 2009 Canada Games, check out the new Panther-branded smart bus the teams will use for off-Island travel before the UPEI Panther game Friday night outside the MacLauchlan Arena. Submitted photo

The new athletic complex constructed on UPEI campus for the 2009 Canada Games was officially named the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place during a ceremony at UPEI Friday night.
Wayne Carew, vice-president of the 2009 Canada Games, made the announcement from centre ice minutes before the UPEI Panthers men’s hockey game got underway at the MacLauchlan Arena at 7 p.m.
Carew along with Joe Spriet, president of the 2009 Canada Games host committee, H. Wade MacLauchlan, president and vice-chancellor of UPEI, and Phil MacDougall, past-president of the Alumni Association, took part in the ceremonial puck drop at centre ice.
The new $6.8-million state-of-the-art complex, which features a 400-metre track and seating for more than 1,200 spectators, will host about 50 track and field events during the second week of the Games, which run from Aug. 15-29 in various locations on the Island. The facility will also host the closing ceremonies for the Games.
The naming rights were secured after the Alumni Association was able to raise enough funds with the help of 50 alumni who have pledged $1,000 a year for the next five years.
Carew said he is happy with the partnership between the UPEI Alumni Association and the Canada Games.
“As both a UPEI alumnus and a member of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society, it means a great deal to see my alma mater joining in partnership with the Games through the naming of this wonderful facility.”
Spriet said the 2009 Canada Games is proud to be partners with UPEI and he is looking forward to working with the university as the Games approach.
“UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place will provide a lasting legacy to future Island athletes.”
As part of the appeal, a 2008 Trius Tours bus was branded for Panther athletics teams to travel off-Island. The exterior is covered in high-impact colour images of Panther athletes in action and the inside has wireless Internet access to allow student athletes to work on their studies while travelling.
MacDougall said the appeal to raise funds from the Alumni Association has drawn a lot of interest and those alumni participating span over 61 years from 1948–2009.
“We look forward to having more alumni participate to help achieve our goal for the future benefit of our student athletes and the whole university community.”
The new facility name will mark the first time the Alumni Association name will be used on campus since the Prince Edward Island Alumni Gym was destroyed by fire on Aug. 1, 2001.

Islander wins three medals at World Games

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=222062&sc=99

Islander wins three medals at World Games

Michael Morris claims two bronze and a silver at Special Olympics competition

The Guardian

Special Olympics P.E.I. athlete and Stratford native Michael Morris had a triple- medal finish at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, this week.
Wearing bib No. 237 at the nordic ski venue in Sun Valley, Idaho, Michael raced to the finish line winning two bronze medals (4x100m relay, 500m), silver medal (1 km) and many great memories from the games.
Michael’s mother, Judy MacDonald was able to be in Boise to witness his great accomplishments.

“Michael is so happy and now ready to go home. It is so beautiful here. This is a great experience not like Japan but wonderful in its own right. We are both so pleased - me for him and him because he loves to get medals.”
The Games attracted more than 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries for a week filled with world-class competition and events. These games were the largest multi-day winter sporting event ever held in Idaho.
As the games come to a close otoday and as per tradition, the Closing Ceremony is cast in an even more celebratory mode, rejoicing in the triumph of the Games and the friendships kindled in Idaho. Closing Ceremony’s protocol includes the passing of the Special Olympics flag to the host of the next Special Olympics World Games in Athens, Greece.

And with the extinguishing of the Idaho cauldron, the stage will be set for a party that the athletes themselves will never forget filled with music, dancing, color, excitement, friendship, acceptance and good will ­ all in the true spirit of the Special Olympics movement.

A celebration in Michael’s honor is being planned and information will be available soon.

If you or someone you know would like more information about how to be a fan of Special Olympics P.E.I., contact Charity Sheehan at 368-8919 or via e-mail at csheehan@sopei.com.