Monday, October 31, 2011

Congratulations Connor McGuire, AUS Cross Country Champion



Congratulations Connor McGuire, AUS Cross Country Champion,
10K 32:23 Course Record
and his St.FX Men's Cross Country Team, 2011 AUS Champions.
Saturday, October, 29th, 2011 - at UNB, Fredericton.
Team Results - Individual Results




Saturday, October 29, 2011

The 4th Annual Halloween Hustle


It was sunny and 2 degrees.

The Halloween Hustle Fun Run at Kensington Station. The out and back course on Confederation trail.

I wore a doctor this year.

Aron Croken won the 5km race and Jennifer Pizio-Perry for the top female.

I finished in 18:38 and came in 2nd out of 106 runners.

The Three Little Pigs won the best costume.

Official Result: 2nd out of 106
5K in 18 minutes, 38 seconds




More Photos


Halloween Hustle Photos (2008-2011)

2010 Halloween Hustle
2009 Halloween Hustle
2008 Halloween Hustle


Alex's mom, dressed in a wedding dress to do registration & photos, chose the outfit
to honour the occasion of the marriage of her darling daughter, Alex's baby sister, Jasmine.
Jasmine married her best friend, and the love of her life, Chris,
Friday morning, October 28th, 2011, in San Diego California.
























Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness

Monday, October 24, 2011

Islanders on the Run - Sunday in Moncton

Full Marathon
1(Place) - Steven Baglole - 1/22(Division) - 2:39:56*
10(Place) - Paul Dalton - 3/17(Division) - 3:15:32*
13(Place) - David Gallant - 3/22(Division) - 3:17:32
40(Place) - Paul Burnley - 6/17(Division) - 3:41:18
59(Place) - Doug MacEachern - 9/17(Division) - 3:55:25
91(Place) - Bev Walsh - 4/7(Division) - 4:16:30
Full Results


Half Marathon
99(Place) - Mark Victor - 24/75(Division) - 1:44:31
100(Place) - Jackie Chaisson - 6/101(Division) - 1:44:31
147(Place) - David Duffy - 27/64(Division) - 1:49:11
260(Place) - Cindy Howard - 30/101(Division) - 1:57:13
Full Results

10K
21(Place) - Chad Matthews - 8/41(Division) - 46:57
108(Place) - Sonya Shaw - 11/119(Division) - 54:20
Full Results

5K
99(Place) - Dwayne Trynchuk - 15/28(Division) - 29:53
Full Results

Congrats on the Marathon win Steven
and to all our PEI Runners!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Biathlon PEI Run and Shoot



Congrats to the RoadRunners you see on the podium: Carson Campbell & Devin Docherty
as well as the ones who left before the awards:
In the same category as Devin, Donald Mallet came 2nd and Jamie Nickerson came 1st.
While Carson excels in Biathlon,
Devin, Donald and Jamie were all doing a "Run & Shoot" for the first time!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

This marathon was for Geri



Published on October 22, 2011


Editor:

I recently participated in the annual BMO-Nesbitt Burns provincial marathon in Prince Edward Island. I've completed in this event a few times before and am aware this is a well-planned and publicized event. The scenery is unmatched and the contagious enthusiasm of the many volunteers keeps me excited. I'm from Newfoundland and I have always enjoyed racing here.

Less than two months ago, I experienced a major tragedy in my life. On Aug. 21 my common-law wife of 30 years died suddenly of a stomach aneurism at the age of 49. We had just completed our annual two-week vacation in our favourite place in the world - P.E.I. We arrived back in Newfoundland on the 20th and stayed in central Newfoundland overnight where we planned on travelling back home to St. John's the next day. My wife, Geraldine, collapsed at the breakfast table the next morning and passed away before noon. Geraldine was cremated and her last wishes were for her ashes to be spread in Prince Edward Island. We both passionately love P.E.I. and our fondest memories of our lives have been in this province.

This has been a major loss for me and I'm still having trouble accepting it. I dedicated this marathon to Geri and the tremendous impact she's had on my life. She has always been a huge supporter of my running and has inspired me in many ways. She made many sacrifices (e.g. household chores) while I was out training and always provided encouragement. When I finally qualified for my first Boston Marathon (I've completed two) she acted so proud. But I wanted people to know how proud I was of her because she never stopped believing in me. Anyone whose been committed to training for marathons knows the physical demands it requires. What is not often recognized is the emotional support of a dedicated spouse who doesn't lace up the sneakers. She was really the "wind beneath my wings."

So when I ran last weekend's marathon I felt an extra push. I've always run for fitness, fun and the thrill of competition. Geri, this race was dedicated to you.

Barry Ploughman,

St. John's, NL

Our deep condolences and warmest wishes Barry as you continue to run

with Geri in your heart, on your mind and keeping you in flight.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

PEI Fall Biathlon Run & Shoot

click poster to enlarge & read

Monday, October 17, 2011

The 2011 Prince Edward Island Marathon - An PB 11th Place Finish, 1st in my Division!

Marathon morning at the Start Line in Brackley Beach

It was sun, few clouds and windy and 13 degrees. The Prince Edward Island Marathon at Brackley Beach Complex. The full marathon course on Gulf Shore Parkway, Rte 6, Confederation Trail, Brackley Point Rd, Sherwood Rd and University Ave.

The "gun" they used to start the race!

Ewen Stewart, the grand master of running on Prince Edward Island with
Doug MacEachern, head of PEI Marathon course logistics & runner extraordinaire, in the background


Alex, Matt Allain & Steven Baglole at the Start Line ready to go

Alex, as usual, takes off like a shot, leading the pack

Running by the Covehead Lighthouse

Just past the Covehead lighthouse

Dalvay by the Sea

Dalvay Lake

Winter River

The Confederation Trail at the 25K mark, on the Suffolk Rd.

University Ave in front of UPEI, all the hills behind him, strong wind in his face

Just past Allen St.

You can hear the Finish Line from here even if you can't see it

Passing the Sea Treat (University Ave & Euston St)

Video of Alex's finish



The first half in 1:33:00 and in 11th place.

I finished in 3:12:45, beat my marathon PB, 16:44 faster than my first marathon in 2008,
came in 11th out of 252 runners and 1st in Male 20-29.

Mike MacKinnon won the marathon and Kathy Armitage of New Maryland, NB for the top female, Kara Grant was top PEI female.

Thank You to all runners and volunteers and for emails and Facebook messages.

My next marathon will be Disney in Florida in January!

Miscouche runner takes Island marathon victory
Published on October 16, 2011
Charles Reid

MARATHON
Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

MARATHON

The male and female victors in the 2011 BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Island Marathon are old hands at this winning thing.

Sunday, Mike MacKinnon of Miscouche won his fourth Island Marathon, while Kathy Wilson-Armitage of New Maryland, N.B., won her first full-marathon on P.E.I. but had nabbed first place in the Island half-marathon in 2004.

Both battled a sunny and warm but blustery fall day.

MacKinnon finished in two hours, 43 minutes 19 seconds, while Wilson-Armitage crossed the finish line in Charlottetown in 3:18:45.

Temperatures hovered around 16 C and winds were a steady 30 kilometres or more per hour.

“It was tough. I thought ‘Oh my God, this wind is stronger that I thought’ and I knew it would cost me,” said MacKinnon, 38, adding the heat wasn’t a problem thanks to the breezy day. “Not with the way the wind was. The heat wasn’t a big deal.”

Second place overall went to Steven Baglole of Charlottetown in 2:44:51, while Chuck Dixon of Sackville, N.B., finished third overall in 2:52:14.

It’s the fifth straight year an Island runner has won the hometown marathon.

The last non-Islander to win was David MacLennan of Scotsburn, N.S.

MacKinnon’s last Island Marathon win came in 2008.

“They’re all challenging. I’ve had to battle it out,” said MacKinnon, a automotive teacher at Three Oaks High School in Summerside. “If I can outpace them (the field) I have a chance. If it gets to a kick I don’t have a chance and they know that.”

MacKinnon said he plans a quiet family celebration with wife Janice and children Hailey, 10, and Ryan, 7.

For Wilson-Armitage, her first 42-kilometre run in over a decade had similar challenges, notwithstanding her long break from the pavement.

“It was brutal. Strong headwinds and a battle (with the hills) on the finish. It was my first (Island) Marathon in 11 years. It was like my first, but it will be my last,” said Wilson-Armitage, 46, smiling and wrapped in a silver, wind-resistant heat blanket after the race. “In this weather I was really pleased. I’m just pleased to be finished.”

Former Olympian Kara Grant of Mermaid finished second among the women in 3:24:22; third place went to Brenda Benson of Summerside in 3:26:03.

Despite the win, Wilson-Armitage doesn’t think she's prone to winning. It's just a matter of numbers, she said.

“In the smaller marathons (and half-marathons), the field of women is so small,” she said.

Wilson-Armitage also credits her husband Michael Armitage for support, and her friend Allison MacDonald, who ran the half-marathon as a warmup to next month’s New York Marathon.

“She’s my inspiration,” said Wilson-Armitage.

So with the race behind her, what will Wilson-Armitage do to celebrate her second overall marathon victory (she won a marathon in Fredericton, N.B., years ago)?

“I think I’ll drink white wine, if I can walk,” she said. “Right now I’m starting to seize up. I’ve got to keep moving.”

In the men’s half-marathon, Jonathan Gendron of Shearwater, N.S., finished first in 1:16:49, followed by Stanley Chaisson of Stratford, who won the full marathon in 2009, in 1:17:35.

Ian James Doyle of Sydney, N.S., was third (1:19:19).

Stacy Juckett of Dartmouth, N.S., was top female half-marathoner, finishing in 1:29:52.

Gabrielle Gallagher of Halifax, N.S., crossed in 1:33:17, while Jennifer Pizio-Perr of Tignish was third (1:34:19).

The Guardian's Slideshow


P.E.I. marathon draws thousands of runners

P.E.I.'s annual marathon this weekend drew in an estimated 2,500 runners from across Canada and the United States.

Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, one of the organizers, said it's become an international event.

"We are a Boston [marathon] qualifier so we have people that come here to qualify for Boston," Jenkins-Smith told CBC News.

"We had the largest percentage of marathoners in eastern Canada qualify [for the Boston marathon] last year, so that's pretty exciting for P.E.I."

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Pounding the pavement

Pounding the pavement

A marathon weekend of walking and running events set to go on P.E.I.

Sandra Gregory, right, of Charlottetown and her mother Dorothy are  set to run their third straight marathon together on P.E.I. The race  gets underway in Brackley Beach Sunday at 8 a.m. Photo by Jim Day

Sandra Gregory, right, of Charlottetown and her mother Dorothy are set to run their third straight marathon together on P.E.I. The race gets underway in Brackley Beach Sunday at 8 a.m.

Prince Edward Island is enjoying a growing reputation as a great place to race around.

Event co-ordinator Myrtle Jenkins-Smith says the annual BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon has built strong participation in a host of running and walking categories.

Set for its eighth run this weekend, the annual event began modestly with 173 people participating in either a full or a half marathon. This weekend, more than 2,000 will take part in one or more of nine events.

Close to 300 are registered for the toughest physical and mental test of the weekend: the full marathon that starts in Brackley Beach and ends in downtown Charlottetown.

They are coming from near and far to traverse the scenic 42-kilometre course.

The marathon is attracting runners from every province in Canada, as well as from Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.

Runners from several parts of the United States will lace up along with participants from Singapore, Japan and Germany.

A 70-year-old Nova Scotia man is believed to be the oldest runner entered in the full marathon.

Sandra Gregory, 19, of Charlottetown is thought to be the youngest.

Sunday will mark the third straight year that the teenager has entered the full marathon, each time with her mother, Dorothy.

Gregory, who likes to train with her mother along the Confederation Trails, says the marathon route offers a bit of everything.

“You get the dunes and the farmlands and then you get in the city,’’ she said.

Gregory adds that spectator support is strong along the run.

Jenkins-Smith says runners can expect to hear encouraging words from the sidelines and possibly eye supportive messages painted on bales of hay.

Marathon participants will also be racing by some entertainment that might just give them a little more bounce in their step as musicians play bagpipes, flutes, guitars and fiddles.

For Shiona Green, the run will hit close to home.

Green, 52, who lives in Winnipeg with her husband David Ramsay, was born in Scotland but grew up in Charlottetown.

She has run the Manitoba Marathon four times but is set to take her first crack at the marathon in P.E.I. She hopes nostalgia will kick in and help get her through the run.

The marathon will take her along the North Shore, where she used to run years ago. She will also pass by the Sherwood Cemetery where her father is buried.

“I will be thinking of him,’’ she said.

And her 80-year-old mother, Jean Green of Charlottetown, will be waiting at the finish line.

“Well it certainly will be special because Prince Edward Island is the best place in the world,’’ said Green, who left the province in 1979. “I’m ready for it.’’

Jenkins-Smith says runners consider the marathon here a flat, fast course.

Last year, the highest number of qualifiers for the Boston Marathon in Eastern Canada came from the P.E.I. run.

“We’re a smaller marathon and we do some personal touch things,’’ added Jenkins-Smith.

“Our (some 300-strong) volunteers are awesome along the route.’’

Sunday’s forecast will be welcome news to many of the runners. Environment Canada is calling for a mix of sun and cloud with a low of 10 and a high of 14. That is in pleasant contrast to the high winds and cold rain runners pounded through last year.

Scott Clark of Linkletter managed those tough conditions well last year finishing first in the marathon, running a personal-best 2:44:42 that served as a tune-up for an Iron Man competition that he successfully tackled in Florida three weeks later.

He told The Guardian earlier this week that he does not expect to successfully defend his title Sunday. He says some strong competitors that were not in last year’s race will be toeing the starting line tomorrow in Brackley Beach.

A top five finish, adds Clark, would make him happy.

Today, hundreds of little tykes will be subjected to a far less competitive environment when they take part in the free P.E.I. Potato Industry Kids Spud run. The children will make their way around the UPEI Canada Games Track until they have run, walked or combined the two to put tally one kilometer.

Jenkins-Smith frequently hears people comment that the marathon weekend offers something for the whole family.

No new categories were added this year to the full line-up that includes a full and a half marathon run; a 10K and a 5K run; a half marathon walk, a 10K walk and a 5K walk; a corporate/team relay drawing at least 36 teams; and the spud run expected to see 400 to 500 children on the track at UPEI.

“This is the first year where we haven’t changed any of the categories. We’re building and improving on what we have,’’ said Jenkins-Smith.

“You love to see it grow little by little and that’s exactly what happened.’’

Traffic tie-ups

Motorists could experience some minor traffic delays across P.E.I. Sunday due to the number of marathon participants on highways.

The Gulf Shore Parkway in the P.E.I. National Park will be closed to all traffic from Brackley Beach to Bayshore Road. Only eastbound traffic will be permitted from Bayshore Road to the Dalvay Gate.

The road closure will start at 7:30 a.m. and should re-open about 10 a.m.

Full road closures will be in effect on the Sherwood Road between Brackley Point Road and Route #2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and on University Avenue between Kirkwood Avenue and Grafton Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Travelers should also note that Grafton Street, from Queen Street to Church Street, and University Avenue, from Kent Street to Grafton Street, will be closed from Saturday at 2 a.m. to Sunday at 4 p.m. to host the finish line area and to ensure the safety of all participants.

Saturday at the PEI Marathon Race Kit Pick-Up, Expo & Spud Run









Friday, October 14, 2011

Friday night at the PEI Marathon Race Kit Pick-Up & Expo


Francis Fagan - 20th PEI Marathon, 79th Lifetime Marathon!

Click to enlarge & read

Wow!! Have a great run on Sunday Francis!!

Dianne & Elaine on Island Morning - About to run their 30th Marathons!

Alex with Elaine & Dianne after the 2008 Prince Edward Island Marathon.
It was Alex's first full marathon but not the first for Elaine & Dianne.

Since then this dynamic duo have run many, many more marathons .....
this Sunday they're running their 30th! All the very best ladies!

Thank you Island Morning for passing this interview on to us to post here!




On the Run: Time for final preparations

On the Run: Time for final preparations

In this article, we will look at the final few days of preparation, a few race day considerations and last, but just as important as your training, post race recovery.

Before we look at these items, let’s take a quick look at some important road closures. For a more comprehensive list of the closers, please check out the P.E.I. Marathon website. Marathon weekend is Oct. 14-16.

For those planning to take their own transportation to the National Park, please note. The westbound (waterside) lane of the Gulf Shore Parkway will be closed to traffic from Dalvay to Brackley beginning at 7:30 a.m. until the last runner exits the park. The Sherwood Road is closed to all traffic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are a number of parking restrictions for the streets surrounding the marathon finish line. For other important information please refer to the Island marathon website.

This is it, the week you all have been working towards, months of training are now behind you. I hope you enjoyed the journey to get to this point in your training. In these last few days you will probably do a few short runs or walks to keep your self loose. You maybe are getting a little nervous and jittery thinking about your upcoming run.

I like to think this is all normal, a good sign that you are probably ready to go. To help combat the nerves it may be a great time to catch up on some reading, a movie or two or doing something you enjoy doing that doesn’t use to much physical energy. You should try to conserve that energy for race day. Take the time to reflect on your training, what worked for you and what might not have worked so well. It would also be a great time to think about creating your race day checklist. This list should contain everything you will need for race day — such as articles of clothing, shoes you may be planning to use, food requirements for the day, equipment and gear such as fuel belts, anti chafing cream, watches, GPS, music, etc. Above all, don’t forget your timing chip. If you plan to use gels, energy bars or other packaged foods, please take along a baggie to store the wrappings to prevent littering on the course.

Race Day

Be sure to take lots of time to get yourself to your race start.

The areas around the race start and finish lines will be congested and will take a little longer to get there. Other things to consider are some warm clothing to wear, both before and to change into after the run, especially those travelling to the marathon and relay start point. Just before the race, start putting this clothing back on the bus to take it back to the finish line. Please attach the tag that will come with your bib number to your bag, so you will be able to retrieve it at marathon headquarters afterwards. The race starts are very exciting places. You will be mingling with other runners of all abilities and people running different distances. Enjoy the excitement but, as a word of caution, once the race begins be sure you stick to your pace and run your race. It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement and leave much faster than you may have planned. From my own experience, I find if I loose my breath before I get into my running rhythm, I find it very difficult to get it back.

All along the course you will see all kinds of volunteers, manning the water stops, directing traffic and runners, first aid, music, etc. There are many more you will not see who have work tirelessly in the background to help stage this event. All these folks are giving you their time freely. Please take the time to acknowledge and thank them.

Post Race

After your race, you should expect to be a little stiff and maybe sore and you could feel a little let down emotionally. This is normal for many runners. After all, this has been your focus for many weeks. To help with your recuperation, you should also be considering a post race recovery period, especially those running the longer distances. Depending on your fitness level and upcoming running goals, a post race period should include at least the following.

Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet. Your body will need carbs, proteins and nutrients to rebuild damaged muscles. Do not resume a weight loss diet you may be considering until after the first week. If you have cravings, indulge them moderately. Your body may be telling you what it is missing.

Sleep: Your body builds muscle and repairs itself while sleeping. Get lots of additional rest and sleep after your run.

Loosen up period: Combine minimal, easy running with walking and other forms of cross-training, such as easy cycling, spinning, swimming or water running that will improve blood flow to your legs.

Good luck to all participants. I hope each of you will accomplish the goals you have set out for yourself. Above all have fun and enjoy the day?

Doug MacEachern is chair of course logistics for the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon, Oct. 14 to 16. For questions about training, contact him at info@princeedwardislandmarathon.com.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

100-year-old runner hopes to set record in Toronto


100-year-old runner


hopes to set record in Toronto



Like many of the runners in Sunday’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, 100-year-old Fauja Singh has his sights set on breaking a record.

But unlike the 5,000 other entrants in Sunday’s big run, Singh won’t be running with a finish time in mind. Instead, the man whose authorized biography is entitled The Turbaned Tornado, is out to become the first person on the planet to finish a full-distance marathon past the age of 100. If he manages to accomplish the feat, Singh will set a Guinness World Record.

Sunday’s run will be Singh’s eighth marathon. In 2003, in the same Toronto marathon, he set a record in the 90-plus category, finishing the 42.1 kilometres in five hours, 40 minutes and one second.

His coach and interpreter admits the run will be a challenge: He hasn’t completed the full marathon distance since he was 92, a full eight years ago.

"He's really happy, and looking forward to it,” said his coach and translator Harmander Singh, whose "student" only speaks Punjabi.

"In the past he used to look forward to the challenge because he had to set times and everything. Now he hasn't been running a marathon distance for a number of years, so there is a concern. But he's determined to finish with the blessing of God. He's going to rely on God to help him out."

Fauja Singh, a British citizen, was born on a farm in India in April 1911. He stands five foot eight inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds.

Sunday's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfround Marathon will be 100-year-old Fauja Singh's eighth marathon.Sunday's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfround Marathon will be 100-year-old Fauja Singh's eighth marathon.

Sunday's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfround Marathon will be 100-year-old Fauja Singh's eighth marathon. CBC
Part of his secret, according to his coach, is that he eats a light diet of mainly tea, toast and curry.

Harmander Singh said Fauja turned to running after losing his wife and child to “tragic circumstances” about 20 years ago. His coach said Fauja Singh didn’t want to discuss those tragic circumstances. Part of his outlook is maintaining a constant focus on the positive.

“Running has given him a new focus in life,” said Harmander.

On Thursday, during a series of runs in Scarborough, Fuja Singh broke world records for runners older than 100 in eight different distances ranging from 100 metres to 5,000 metres.

"He just enjoyed the run. The records are a bonus," said Harmander Singh.

Alan Brookes, race director for Sunday's marathon, said Fauja Singh is an inspiration to all athletes, young and old.

'Remarkable physical talent'
"He’s a remarkable human being,” said Brookes. “He's having a great impact around the world on our sport but also much broader than that ... to show what you can do with dedication, determination and a good dose of courage."

Through his running, Fauja Singh aims to raise money for local charities including, the Gur Gobind Singh Children's Foundation, which has a mandate to help children meet basic needs.

His coach said it’s no accident Singh has chosen to make his latest mark in the Toronto marathon.

“He loves the people here," said Harmander Singh. “This is a special place to him."

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Provincial cross-country running ch'ships this week

Provincial cross-country running ch'ships this week

Published on October 12, 2011

Staff Journal Pioneer

WOODSTOCK - Charlottetown Rural High School and Mill River Provincial Park are hosting the 2011 P.E.I. School Athletic Association (PEISAA) Source for Sports provincial cross-country championships this week.

Charlottetown Rural will host approximately 250 juvenile and senior runners on Thursday, while an estimated 950 runners will represent their elementary and intermediate schools at Mill River Park in Woodstock on Saturday.

Paul Goguen, manager of the Mill River meet and cross-country commissioner, suggests the two meets amount to one of the biggest PEISAA sporting events. And, as such, is a great way to kick off the association's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Separate competition

Rick MacKinnon, school sport director for the PEISAA, indicated a separate competition for the senior and juvenile runners was seen as a means to increase participation levels with that age group.

"They felt that many runners were not attending provincials on the weekend because of other important sport events,” he explained. “So, by running these two categories on a week day, we hope to attract more participants."

Mike Lloyd is meet manager for the juvenile and senior high competition, and suggests the strategy is working.

"We have a great course for the students to run," he said. "We've been working hard to promote and encourage high school athletes to come out and run for their schools. Numbers have increased, and we are very pleased with this."

Westisle family

MacKinnon noted that the Westisle family of schools hosts the provincial competition for pre-novice to midget categories annually, with the leadership programs from M.E. Callaghan and Hernewood Intermediate schools taking turns helping to run the championships.

Goguen said runners have to be in shape for Mill River's demanding course.

"We have open fields, wooded areas and many hills to overcome," he pointed out.

Every race, he said, is spectator-friendly.

Schedules

Schedule for PEISAA cross-country championships:

Senior and Juvenile

Thursday, Oct. 13

At Charlottetown Rural:

1:30 p.m. – Juvenile girls (3.5 kilometres).

2 p.m. – Juvenile boys (3.5 kilometres).

2:30 p.m. – Senior girls (4.0 kilometres).

3 p.m. – Senior boys (4.0 kilometres).

Pre-novice to midget

Saturday, Oct. 15

At Mill River:

10:30 a.m. – Midget boys (3.0 kilometres).

10:55 a.m. – Midget girls (3.0 kilometres).

11:20 a.m. – Bantam boys (3.0 kilometres).

11:45 a.m. – Bantam girls (3.0 kilometres).

12:45 p.m. – Novice boys (2.0 kilometres).

1:10 p.m. – Novice girls (2.0 kilometres).

1:35 p.m. – Pre-novice boys (1.5 kilometres).

2 p.m. – Pre-novice girls (1.5 kilometres).

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Couple celebrates 40 years running marathon



Couple celebrates 40 years running marathon

Clayton and Louise Coughlin of Fortune Cove near Mill River plan to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary by running in their fifth P.E.I. Marathon this weekend. The members of the P.E.I. Roadrunners Club have trained together for six years.Eric McCarthy/Journal Pioneer

Clayton and Louise Coughlin of Fortune Cove near Mill River plan to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary by running in their fifth P.E.I. Marathon this weekend. The members of the P.E.I. Roadrunners Club have trained together for six years.

Published on October 11, 2011
By Jim Day
Transcontinental Media

Clayton and Louise Coughlin are together for the long run.

The Fortune Cove couple started pounding the pavement together six years ago.

At that time, Clayton, 62, already had a handful of marathons under his belt while Louise's longest run was a half marathon with her sister-in-law.

As members of the P.E.I. RoadRunners Club, the pair would train together.

However, Clayton, the stronger runner of the two, would shoot ahead during the several club runs the Coughlins entered.

In their first marathon together, Clayton and Louise matched strides up to the halfway point of the run. Clayton pulled ahead for a good stretch only to have Louise catch him and help bring him home with a better pace than he would have managed on his own.

"After that,'' he said, "I felt there was no gain for me to run the marathon separately.''

Clayton says his wife is a calming influence on him while he is training. She helps him block out negative thoughts and focus on the task at hand.

"It has forced me to be present in the run,'' he said. "It brought my anxiety level down.''

Clayton adds the couple communicates better ever since they started running side-by-side (or sometimes one in front of the other to provide a draft).

Louise even likes a marathon to a marriage.

"You begin with the first step,'' she said. "You have your ups, you have your downs. You have your peaks, you have your valleys.''

The couple knows they can rely on each other for a helpful push when fatigue or doubt sets in.
Next week, the pair will mark their life together since tying the knot on Oct. 9, 1971 by tying up their running shoes for the eigth annual BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon.

"Who ever thinks when they get married that they are going to have the fitness and the health to be able to run a marathon on their 40th wedding anniversary?'' said Louise.

"I'm very grateful that we have the fitness and the health to do it - and that we are still together.''

Wright plans to roller-ski the Island





Wright plans to roller-ski the Island

Bedeque resident Paul Wright, 55, will strap on his roller-skis on Nov. 4 to begin a three-day, 285-kilometre trek across the Island to raise awareness and funds for Right to Play, an organization that helps underprivileged kids have better access to sports. Wright has been roller-skiing since the early 1990s.

Bedeque resident Paul Wright, 55, will strap on his roller-skis on Nov. 4 to begin a three-day, 285-kilometre trek across the Island to raise awareness and funds for Right to Play, an organization that helps underprivileged kids have better access tosports. Wright has been roller-skiing since the early '90's Stephen Brun/Journal Pioneer

By Stephen Brun
Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE – Paul Wright is a familiar, and perhaps somewhat unusual, sight to anyone travelling Route 1A near Bedeque.

The 55-year-old can be seen most mornings, ski poles in hand, clad in a body-hugging suit, gliding along the shoulder of the highway atop his roller-skis.

Next month, the long-time skier is putting all of that off-season training to use when he attempts to roller-ski across the Island in three days.

The Bedeque resident hopes his “Roll the Island” initiative will raise $10,000 to support Right to Play, and organization that affords underprivileged kids more opportunities to participate in sports.

“It seemed like a good fit for me, because (sports) has been a part of my life all along. We kind of take those things for granted here,” said Wright.

“I got the idea about a year ago, but I had to put a lot of thought into it.”

Wright is a long-time competitive runner and cross-country skier, and discovered roller-skis in the early 1990s as a way to train for events in the off-season.

He began using them more frequently later in the decade after a knee injury hampered his running, and roller-skiing provided less wear and tear on his body.

“The body doesn't care whether you're skiing on the snow or the road,” he said. “It's not a nice thing if you fall on the asphalt, but other than that, I enjoy it.”

He said several competitive skiers use roller-skis in western Canada, but the practice is rare on the Island.

The lightweight contraptions are much shorter than actual cross-country skis, but are meant to simulate the skiing experience as closely as possible.

The front wheels, for instance, are ratcheted so the skis don't roll backwards when travelling up hillsides.

Beginning Nov. 4 in North Cape, Wright hopes to be the first person to make a 285-kilometre trek across P.E.I. on roller-skis.

Although completing the journey would be a personal milestone, Wright is glad to have the incentive of supporting Right to Play as motivation for completing his “Roll the Island.”
Sport P.E.I. is already on board as a sponsor, and donations from around the Island and Canada have begun to roll in.

With a strategy of rolling for seven to eight hours a day, the initiative will be more challenging than the usual ski marathons Wright takes part in, which usually average about three hours.
“It's attainable, but I don't want to go out on a limb and say it's easy,” he said. “If you got something like a headwind all three days, it might almost become insurmountable. It'll be quite a bit easier on the days it's on the highway, but I didn't want to make it too easy.”

Donations in support of “Roll the Island” can be made online at:
http://bit.ly/donaterolltheisland or by mail to Right to Play: 1110 – 65 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont., M5H 2M5.

Wright has also set up a Facebook page for “Roll the Island” for updates on his training.

sbrun@journalpioneer.com