Through the years - Successful P.E.I. athletes like Jared Connaughton, Kara Grant and Collin Affleck show no signs of stopping

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=241230&sc=99

	Kara Krant receives the senior female athlete of the year award from Sport P.E.I. director Brian Chambers during the recent Sport P.E.I. awards banquet in Charlottetown. (Submitted photo)

Through the years

Successful P.E.I. athletes like Jared Connaughton, Kara Grant and Collin Affleck show no signs of stopping

CHARLES REID
The Guardian

Jared Connaughton, Kara Grant and Collin Affleck know a bit about the phrase body of work.

Combined, the trio — aged 23, 30 and 45, respectively — won five honours at the recent Sport P.E.I. awards banquet in Charlottetown.

All have been in their sport a long time and show little signs of stopping.

Stratford native Kara Grant’s chosen sport is the modern pentathlon, a grueling one-day combination of shooting, running, horse jumping, swimming and fencing.

She has competed in Summer Olympics in 2004 in Athens, Greece, and 2008 in Beijing, China — the only P.E.I. woman to score two Games.

That, along with a World Cup modern pentathlon bronze in Mexico, earned Grant her second senior female athlete of the year award and seventh Sport P.E.I. honour since 1995.

“I’ve certainly come a long way and it’s thanks to many, many people. I’m very proud of my career and my efforts over the last 12 years,” said Grant, who’s been on the national and international scene since 1997. “A lot of it is a personal journey. It’s quite an adventure.”

Just two weeks ago, Grant finished 31st at a World Cup event in Mexico (the same placing at the 2008 Games) and has another World Cup competition in Hungary in May.

But times are changing and Grant must change, too.

Late fall, International Modern Pentathlon Union combined the three-kilometre cross country run and the shooting portions for 2009.

Competitors used to shoot 20 shots at targets 10 metres away and the three-kilometre run came later in the day.

Now they shoot at five targets three times, each followed by a 1,000-metre run.

It’s a switch-up Grant is still adjusting to; after all, she’s honed her skills for over a decade under one format.

“It’s going to take some work,” she said.

Also life is reshaping her outlook.

After spending much of the last decade off-Island training and earning towards a degree at the University of New Brunswick, she returned to P.E.I. full-time last September with a husband (Jamie Whynacht), a business (Sportykids) and new perspective as she trains for the 2009 season.

“I do see my retirement in the future. Just have to see how it all develops.”

Often development bursts rather than slowly percolates.

Connaughton’s 2008 did that.

A 10:15, 100-metre time at a race in Texas and a 200-metre title at the Canadian track and field championships in Windsor. Ont. made him a lock for Canada’s Olympic team in Beijing.

China was kind to Connaughton.

He made the 200-metre semifinal and ran the third leg on Canada’s 4x100-metre men's relay team which finished sixth in its first final since 1996.

Connaughton, who chalks up his 2008 to consistent training and work, rarely returns to P.E.I. from his training base at the University of Texas-Arlington.

He’s been there since he was a freshman in 2003.

He graduated last year with an anthropology degree and the school’s 60-metre record (6.68), a Southland Conference athlete of the year award in 2006 and a SLC outdoor 200-metre championship in 2007.

So three award nominations offered him a chance to return to his native New Haven.

He won senior male athlete, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for athlete of the year and the Bill Halpenny award for an international competitor at the Sport P.E.I. banquet.

“To come home and be with my family is reward enough. This is just icing on the cake. I haven’t been home this time of year for a very long time,” said Connaughton.

But it’s been worth it in two memories from the 2005 Canada Summer Games that will always stay with him — his gold medals in 100 and 200 metres were P.E.I.’s first since 1969 and first double-golds at the Games.

Now in his second year as a professional sprinter, he won’t likely get back home soon.

He opened the indoor season in Russia in February (fifth in 60 metres, 6:74), then the KBC indoor championships in Belgium (fifth in 60 metres, 6:64).

Sunday, he heads to a Canadian relay team training camp in Ontario before moving on to the Canadian championships in Toronto in late June with a pre-championships meet beforehand.

In August, it’s the world championships in Berlin, Germany.

“Almost as busy as ’08,” said Connaughton.

The training-is-life-mentality is the often overlooked part in an athlete’s results.

Their sport is their life, training is everything, practice makes perfect; it’s what they hope on race or game day.

Couch potatoes can yell and throw drinks cans at the television when an athlete doesn’t meet expectations, but spend three hours five nights a week training like Affleck, and most of your waking hours thinking, eating and breathing your sport, and, well, cracking open another cold one seems like the wiser choice for most.

Affleck, from Mount Hebert, has a wisdom borne of 21 years of striving to perfect 1,000-year-old karate manouevers.

He won Sport P.E.I.’s masters athlete of the year award thanks to a bronze medal in the masters category at the national black belt championships in Saint John, N.B.

It was his first Sport P.E.I. award.

As an instructor at the Charlottetown Chito Ryo dojo, he helped train Trevor Cochrane, who won gold in the 14- to 15-year-old division at the nationals.

The mental side, said Affleck, is key to karate, original designed for battlefield use, as time creeps.

“Even more so. It’s a martial art. When you’re younger that’s what is focused on. As you age the art form comes into it. (You’re) always looking for that perfection,” said Affleck.

At it’s simplest Affleck pegs karate as a stress reliever following a long work day.

And maybe that’s the best outlook.

“(After) these (young) guys trying to punch you in the head all night, work has long since left you.”

(creid@theguardian.pe.ca)

Olympian scores big - Jared Connaughton claims three Sport P.E.I. awards, including athlete of the year

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=240754&sc=99

	Jared Connaughton receives the Lieutenant Governor’s Award as the overall athlete of the year for 2008 from Sport P.E.I. president Wendy Reid, left, and Lt.-Gov. Barbara Hagerman at the annual Sport P.E.I. awards banquet Wednesday in Charlottetown. (Submitted photo)

Olympian scores big
Jared Connaughton claims three Sport P.E.I. awards, including athlete of the year

CHARLES REID
The Guardian

Awards are old hat to Kara Grant and Jared Connaughton, but that didn’t stop the Olympic duo from grabbing four more trophies at the Sport P.E.I. awards banquet Wednesday night in Charlottetown.

Connaughton, a 200-metre semifinalist at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, earned senior male athlete, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award as the overall athlete of the year and the Bill Halpenny award for excellence in international competition.

Grant, who competed in modern pentathlon in Beijing, took home the senior female athlete award.

Combined, Connaughton and Grant have won 18 Sport P.E.I. honours since 1995 and were shutout just three times in 13 years.

Still, Connaughton believes winning awards is always special.

“This one is the most unique because it’s the first one I could attend,” the New Haven native said of Wednesday’s banquet. “I had to pull every string I had to get here. It doesn’t get routine.”

It’s Connaughton’s second Lieutenant Governor’s Award (he also won in 2005) and second senior male athlete award (the other also came in 2005).

Throw in a pair of intercollegiate athlete award and he’s running out of display room.

Grant’s the same.

She’s won a trio of senior female athletes, two all-around female athlete (now defunct) and junior female awards and a Halfpenny honour.

That’s 18 walks to the podium, 18 acceptance speeches. So do the accolades still carry have meaning?

Grant thinks so.

She’s been winning since 1995, the year of her first junior female athlete of the year honour, so she has an idea of what performances might put her in the running for an award.

“Yes and no. Certainly you can never expect anything,” said Grant, who finished 31st in her event in Beijing.

“(Each have) different experiences leading up to them. It’s always great to be here.”

Other award winners Jim Rand, Ashley MacDonald, Brandon Gormley and Stephanie Ramsay were unable to attend the banquet.

Connaughton ran the third leg of Canada’s sixth place 4x100-metre men’s relay team at the 2008 Games.

(More on the Sport P.E.I. awards banquet in Saturday’s edition of The Guardian)

*****

Sport P.E.I. award winners for 2008:

* Masters Athlete: Collin Affleck, karate.

* Team of the Year: Avondale Islanders soccer.

* Coach of the Year: Jim Rand, gymnastics.

* Official of the Year: Justine Lewis, soccer.

* Intercollegiate Male Athlete: Paul Craig, soccer.

* Intercollegiate Female Athlete: Ashley Macdonald, UPEI rugby.

* Junior Male Athlete: Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats, hockey.

* Junior Female Athlete: Stephanie Ramsay, University of Alberta, hockey.

* Premier's Award: 55-plus Games Society.

* President's Award: Margaret and Frank Parslow, badminton.

* Senior Female Athlete: Kara Grant, modern pentathlon.

* Senior Male Athlete, Lieutenant Governor's Award, Bill Halpenny Award: Jared Connaughton, athletics.

PEI RoadRunners salute season's best

(click on article to enlarge & read)

Halfway down the road to the Games

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=228909&sc=118

Halfway down the road to the Games

NANCY MACPHEE
The Journal Pioneer

Only 161 days remain until the start of the 2009 Canada Games.
While it frightens him to admit it, Joseph Spriet’s confident the host committee is in “excellent shape” to host the two-week national sporting event.“It scares me to death to say that,” said the host committee president. “When you start thinking you’re in great shape, Murphy’s Law comes into play. I don’t want to see Murphy around anywhere.”
By all indications things are quickly falling into place for the August event.
Facilities at UPEI are 85 to 90 per cent complete. Montague’s new multi-million dollar recreation facility should be done by May 31, which comes as a big relief to organizers, and upgrades to existing facilities are either underway or complete.
Recently, the host committee and Slemon Park Corporation signed its venue agreement while the food services contract with Chartwells, which will serve up 100,000 meals over two weeks to the 4,400 athletes, was inked last week.
Both, as was the Montague complex, had been “red flags” for the committee.
The issue at Slemon Park was space for beds for athletes.
“We had to get to a point where Slemon Park and the host society could agree on the costs of either an apartment building, upgrading Building 48 to be able to host athletes and the other option, which was not too palatable, to bring in temporary facilities like trailers.”
With an agreement to renovate the existing building, “all of the other pieces” are now in place for the week one athletes’ village.With food services, cost was the issue.
“They’ve made some accommodations,” said Spriet.
“Our Games have always been mandated to be very athlete-centred. There’s no cutting back here.”
Next week, the host committee unveils its volunteer clothing and in the weeks that follow more staff will be hired.
While press conferences and facilities work are visible benchmarks, there’s much more going on behind the scenes that the public doesn’t see, said Spriet.
Twelve divisions, each with its own committee, have taken on a component of the Games, from services and turnaround to volunteers.
“We’re moving along very well,” added Spriet. “We feel we are in very good shape to stage the Games when August rolls around.”
There’s a contingency plan and a contingency fund in place if problems arise, both of which Spriet hopes won’t be used.
In July, the host committee will run through all the scenarios that its 12 committees could face during the Games and all systems will be tested.
“We can’t cover everything but we can try,” said Spriet.
“I think we’re in excellent shape.”

One Step Ahead - P.E.I. runner refuses to let autism keep him from competing

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=201683&sc=99

P.E.I. runner
refuses to let autism keep him from competing

CHARLES REID
The Guardian

Don’t pity Alex Bain because he can barely tie the laces of his running shoes.
In fact, don’t pity the 20-year-old Bain at all. He doesn’t feel any for himself; he’s too busy running marathons — 5Ks, 10Ks, 42Ks, anything to stay one step ahead of the autism which has dogged him for 17 years.
Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour, all starting before a child is three years old. One of its effects on Bain is limiting certain fine motor skills, such as tying shoelaces. Just last year he stopped asking his mother, Janet Norman-Bain, to tether them.
But autism was far behind in his 45th-place finish at the P.E.I. Marathon is October. The Oyster Bed Bridge native completed his first full marathon in 3:29:29.
And iRun Magazine, an Ottawa-based Canadian running periodical, noticed. It included Bain in its inaugural 12-person list of the most inspiring runners in the country. Called the 2009 iRun Awards, the roll is featured in the magazine’s January issue.
There isn’t a flashy award ceremony or inscribed trophy or engraved mahogany plaque, just a copy of the magazine. But for Bain, it’s not about rewards, it’s about acceptance.
“It makes me happy and proud. The people saw I am a good runner and did a good thing. I hope this award will help me get to be an Olympic torchbearer and more people will learn about me,” said Bain in an e-mail interview. “People will read the magazine and see me on (television) and in the newspaper and learn that people with autism can do lot of things.”
iRun also noticed his tip-to-tip run of P.E.I. in July 2006 to raise money for autism awareness and risk and safety management. Bain, with his mother (who played support crew, videographer and shoelace binder) in tow, ran up to 25 kilometres per day.
The $6,000 raised paid for seminars by an expert (Dennis Debbaudt) who trains law enforcement and first responders in recognizing and responding to autism in emergency situations, bought training videos for every police and RCMP detachment in P.E.I. and placed a card explaining how to recognize autism in the wallets of Island law enforcement officers, first responders and school-age autistics.
On the pavement, Bain has won other awards like the P.E.I. RoadRunners rookie of the year, junior RoadRunner of the year and inspirational runner of the year.
It’s further proof the condition isn’t a barrier for the 2005 Bluefield High School grad. And it just might be a bridge over the chasm of challenges autism presents, a span he began navigating in elementary school.
“I wanted to be on the cross-country team in Grade 4,” said Bain of why he started running. “There are a few people I heard of that run. (Saint John’s) Chris Brake holds (the second-fastest) course record in the Fredericton, N.B., marathon (2:41:40 in 2005). At least two autistics were in the New York Marathon this year. Not so many on sports teams, (but) I don’t think there are physical limitations.”
Just pesky shoelaces, which occasionally come untied such as in a five-kilometre race in Charlottetown in June.
Bain didn’t stop.
He posted a personal best (19:07).

creid@theguardian.pe.ca.

-------------------------------------

This article is fairly factually accurate. There are a couple of issues.... readers here will know that Alex is now 21, I also question the journalist's qualification of Chris Brake's course record and of course Alex has been autistic all his life, not just since the day he was diagnosed, etc. My comments here are not to pick this article apart but to say:

If you are reading the *newspaper* version (not the web version)

Please ignore the orange "Signs of Autism" box - it is full of garbage and inaccuracies posing as facts. Accurate information is VERY IMPORTANT. Spreading this kind of misinformation can be harmful to autistics and is NOT what Alex and I are about when we strive to spread autism awareness. I was not asked to provide a source for autism info for this article and had no idea one, especially this one, would be included. Instead, please read:

What we'd like you to know about Autism

Autism is a neurological difference classified as a developmental disability. Autistic people have atypical behaviours in three areas: social interaction, communication, and restricted interests or repetitive behaviours. Autistics are different at the most basic level available: how they experience the world, and how they learn from it. Autism presents with measurable differences in perception, attention, memory, intelligence, etc. The autistic order and progress of development is different from the typical version as is autistic brain structure, allocation, and function. Autism presents strengths not available to the typical population, but the different pattern of strengths and weaknesses characterizing autism results in many difficulties as atypical needs and adaptive but atypical autistic behaviours are at odds with what is considered or expected as "normal".

Autism isn't a disease, or a bunch of behaviours, any more than femaleness is. Autism involves neurological differences, which are basic and comprehensive. Autistic neurology is no more or less valid than non-autistic neurology: both autistics and non-autistics are able to develop, learn, progress, and achieve things, but may do so in different ways and may require different kinds of help along the way.

Progress is part of the natural course of development in autistics, as it is in non-autistics, but development in autism may not proceed in the same order as is considered normal for non-autistics. Autistics may, e.g., seem advanced in some areas and delayed in others. Seen in perspective, this means that in comparison with autistics, non-autistics are likely to be advanced in some areas and delayed in others. Non-autistics may need a great deal of assistance in learning things that autistics learn easily, and the reverse may also be true. Seeing as we don't declare non-autistics to be "succeeding in treatment" or "less severely non-autistic" or "recovered" when they develop and learn, it should be clear that describing autistics in these kinds of terms is misleading and prejudicial.

Autistics are alert and aware of what is happening around us, even though we may not be able to show this or respond in expected, typical ways. Autistics also may not communicate in typical ways, and in some situations, will find it difficult to communicate at all. However, this does not reflect a fundamental inability or unwillingness to communicate. Autistics want to communicate, and can do so when provided with a context in which communication is both possible and responded to. This is also true of non-autistics, but non-autistics are much more likely to be provided with contexts in which they can communicate successfully.

Dividing autism into "severe" and "mild", or in similar ways, is misleading and harmful. Autistics may differ in the extent to which autistic traits are or are not obvious, and this may vary in individual autistics from hour to hour, day to day, and year to year, depending on many factors, including on what kind of context an autistic lives in. The extent to which autistic traits are or are not evident in any individual autistic is unrelated to our intelligence and our outcomes as adults. However, societal prejudices against autistic traits may prevent autistics whose traits are more obvious from being considered able to learn, to communicate, to make decisions about our lives, to walk around freely, to be employed, etc.

Michelle Dawson
Pervasive Developmental Disorders Specialized Clinic
Riviere des Prairies Hospital
University of Montreal

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/nov/28/Na1runner28/

Autistic runner finds friends, interaction on team

Roar of the crowd

By Rhiannon Potkey
Friday, November 28, 2008

Pacifica High sophomore Joshua Otani, left, jokes around with friend Tony Oseguera, whose daughter competes on the cross country team, after practice. Joining the team was Otani's first time participating in sports. Photo by Joseph A. Garcia

The crowd began to roar as Joshua Otani emerged around the final turn.

Surrounded by teammates providing encouraging words, Otani pushed his legs through to the finish line.

The Pacifica High sophomore might have been the last runner to cross at the Pacific View League Championships, but the result was inconsequential.

Finishing the race was all that mattered.

Otani, 15, has autism, and joining the Pacifica cross country team this season was his first time participating in sports.

Keeping Josh running was a schoolwide effort from the administrators down to the students.

They watched over him at practices, helped guide him through races and provided new friends on campus.

"Cross country was such a confidence-builder for Josh," said Otani's mother, Susan. "When he is around regular kids he just stands taller and smiles more. It makes him happy to be able to have that interaction."

Autism is a brain development disorder that is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. The cause is not known.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 150 children has autism, and boys outnumber girls four to one.

Otani was diagnosed with autism at age 3 after his parents thought he had a hearing problem.

He is high functioning with no behavioral problems, but his verbal skills are very limited.

"He can understand when you speak to him, but his brain just won't allow the connection for speech," his mother said. "We always say it is just like a misfire. You know he understands you, he just literally can't answer sometimes."

Staying active

More and more autistic children are being encouraged to take part in physical education programs because of the health benefits and social outlet the programs provide.

During an adaptive PE class at Pacifica last year, Otani's special education teacher, Brian Murphy, noticed Otani's aptitude for running.

Murphy approached Pacifica cross country coach Jason Daw and asked if Otani could join the team this season.

"I am always open to anyone with a disability running if I think I can help them," Daw said. "Even if it's a little extra responsibility, I think it's important for the kids on the team to see that anyone can participate in this sport."

Otani's parents have always experimented with change in their son's life, and cross country provided another opportunity.

"He has got to live in this world, and he has got to be able to function. It's not like we can keep him locked up in his room," his mother said. "He has to interact and deal and be a part of society. It would be a disservice if we don't try to give him all the tools he needs to be productive."

After his first practice with the team, his mother asked, "Do you want to go to back tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Josh responded.

"He is a very passive kid even without autism, so when he lets us know there is something he really wants to do, you drop everything," his mother said. "You want to get it for him because he doesn't often initiate language without a prompt."

A typical teenager

Otani is undergoing speech therapy to try to draw more language out of him, but often his actions speak as loudly as words.

While at Frank Intermediate School, Otani thought he should be in regular classes instead of special education. So one day he grabbed his backpack and walked out of the classroom. He found another classroom, took a seat and remained there the rest of the year.

He let his parents know he had become a teenager by taking all the baby items out of his room and placing them in the hall.

In many ways, Otani is just a typical teenager. He enjoys browsing the Internet, watching YouTube videos and playing Wii with his younger sister, Mikayla.

"Mikayla was the biggest catalyst in getting Joshua a lot more social and verbal," his mother said. "When they were really young, she decided he was going to be her playmate and she was unrelenting. She said, ‘Joshua you are going to play with me and talk to me.' They are buddies to this day."

The stretch run

Otani completed three cross country races this season and made great strides along the way.

During his first race at the Seaside Invitational, Otani stopped midway through and sat down on a log.

Daw, his coach, realized Otani needed to have someone running with him to keep him moving in the right direction.

"One of the kids gives up their race to run with Josh," Daw said. "The kids are cool with it, and they knew today is my day to help Josh out. It works, and the kids have a good feeling helping him."

Although she attended junior high with Otani, Andrea Oseguera never interacted with him until he joined Pacifica's cross country team.

"I think it is really cool because it is important to integrate special needs students into our program," she said.

"He has been improving with his running, and it's easier for him now. He tells me he likes it."

Hearing comments like that is the reason Murphy, Otani's teacher, encouraged him to join the team.

"It is a win-win for everybody. The students are aware of him as a person and treat him with respect and dignity, and Josh has made big progress," Murphy said. "His speech has improved, and he has really progressed socially."

Murphy ran a large portion of Otani's final race by his side for moral support.

"It was really emotional. I actually had to get away because I was crying at the end," Murphy said. "They are your kids and you are so much involved in them and to see something like that is the highlight of being a teacher."

Otani had a large contingent of fans cheering for him along the College Park course in Oxnard.

His father, Genji, asked for the day off from work at the post office to watch his son race for the first time.

He beamed as Josh crossed the finish line.

"All I want is for him to be happy, and if he enjoys being out there and running that is where I want him to be," his father said. "That is what matters to me the most."

Now that cross country season is over, Otani is considering joining the track team in the spring.

When an observer asked if he had fun running this season, Otani smiled and nodded.

That said it all.

Police run in support of Special Olympics PEI

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Gearing up for Games

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=186070&sc=118

	Ian MacGougan of CBCL Consultants looks over the progress made to date on sports fields adjacent to Summerside's Credit Union Place.

Gearing up for Games

NANCY MACPHEE
The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE - With 284 days remaining until the start of the 2009 Canada Games, work on facilities across the province is, for the most part, on schedule.

In Summerside, a multi-sport artificial turf field, beach volleyball courts and tennis courts should be complete by mid-November and sports fields at UPEI are 85 per cent finished.

But in Montague, where work has just started, it's another story.

"That has been delayed and delayed," said host society president Joseph Spriet. "It's started now, but there is a bit of concern that they are not further ahead than they are."

The venue is slated to host female wrestling. Spriet has been in talks with two facilities interested in the event if Montague's wellness centre isn't ready.

"We're building that for the purpose of the Canada Games and some money was leveraged to get that done so it would be a shame if we actually couldn't host games there," said Spriet, who optimistically added, "I'm sure it will be ready."

Canada Games is putting a total of $14 million into upgrading existing facilities or building new fields and venues. In Summerside alone, a few million is being spent, with $2 million funneled to Credit Union Place for the opening ceremonies and to get ready to host basketball.

"Really, I am beside myself and I don't want to shout too loud, but it's wonderful to be in a position where we are now," added Spriet. "It's quite rewarding to see what has happened."

The Games will leave a legacy on P.E.I. and its athletes, said facilities co-ordinator Robert Arsenault.

Communities will be beneficiaries of improved and, in some cases, new facilities, along with equipment.

"It certainly gives us an opportunity to host national scale events but also gives our home athletes a training venue," said Arsenault.

"That home field advantage just doesn't last for the two weeks of the games. It's ongoing."



Mult-use field nearly ready

Work should be complete by mid-November on construction of Summerside's multi-million Canada Games sports fields.

The work, adjacent to Credit Union Place, has a $2.9 million pricetag.

First, there's a multi-sport synthetic turf field, located north of Willow Avenue. The 76x108-metre regulation soccer field with turf end zones, which can be later used for football, will be used for men and women's soccer.

Technical services director Aaron MacDonald said preliminary work is done. All that's needed is the artificial turf, which is currently being fabricated.

"We are waiting to hear word from them when they plan to arrive to install it," said MacDonald.

The artificial turf will be laid before snow falls and, once spring arrives, the field will be ready for use as soon as the snow melts. Adjacent to that field is a small gravel parking area.

South of Willow Drive along Greenwood Drive are the two beach volleyball courts, each measuring 26x36 metres.

Sand is currently being laid, work that's expected to be done before winter.

Built on site is a 9x12-metre clubhouse/storage building, which includes two single washrooms, small storage area and electrical room.

Underground conduit is in place to allow the area, which currently has no lighting and won't for the Games, to be illuminated in the future.

Three tennis courts, each regulation size, are being constructed in the area south of Willow Avenue along Greenwood Drive. These courts won't be used for the Games. Tennis competition will take place in Charlottetown.

The city has "greened" out another area for a future field.



For more on the Journal-Pioneer's snapshot on how the Island is getting ready for the Games, pick up Monday's paper edition of the Journal-Pioneer.

Halloween Hustle termed a success

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=184629&sc=119
Halloween Hustle termed a success
First annual event attracts 80-plus runners

	Mike Saulnier and his son, Caleb, approach the finish line of the Halloween Hustle five-kilometre fun run and walk in Kensington recently. Submitted photo

The Journal Pioneer

KENSINGTON -- The first annual Halloween Hustle fun run and walk has been deemed a huge success.
Overall, a total of 81 runners and walkers, not including dressed-up dogs, participated in the five-kilometre event in Kensington.
"Running and walking are activities for the entire family, including the four or five puppies who participated," commented race organizers Ronda Bellefontaine and Lynne Anne Hogan.

Overall winner
Tyler Seller, who was registered in the male 17-and-over category, was the overall race winner in 16:45. The male 16-and-under winner, Dakota Cameron, was second overall in 17:46.
In male 17-and-over, Steve Reeves was second in 19:17 and Alex Bain finished third in 19:53.
Sandy Carson-McGuire was the first female runner to hit the finish line in 21:55. She was followed by Bonnie Smith in 22:04 and Janice Ployer, who stopped the clock in 22:06. All three ran in the female 17-and-over group.
Tiffany Cameron had a time of 25:50 to claim the female 16-and-under title.

Fundraiser
Overall, a total of $714 was raised. The IWK Health Centre and Kensington Fitplex will each receive $332 and $50 will be donated to the P.E.I. Roadrunners Association.
Bellefontaine and Hogan also recognized the Kensington Save Easy for providing post-race snacks; businesses that provided awards and door prizes; Town of Kensington for the race venue and support of its police force, and the volunteers at the water stations.

Our marathon: a fall event with legsn

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=183481&sc=103

Our marathon: a fall event with legs
The P.E.I. marathon promotes tourism,
fitness and family fun.

EDITORIAL STAFF
The Guardian

Last weekend’s BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon drew 1,600 runners — a phenonmenal turnout, and good news for at least three reasons.

One, the marathon has proven to be a highly popular event at a time of the year when P.E.I. is trying to boost its shoulder tourism season. What could be prettier than P.E.I. at the peak of its fall colours? The fact that the event has grown from 173 runners to more than 1,600, and has attracted the interest of thousands of others is proof that the idea from the beginning had legs, pardon the pun.

Two, this is an event that promotes physical fitness. It wasn’t just runners who trained and took part in the marathon. There were walkers, too. Collectively, that’s a lot of people getting off the couch and turning off the TVs and computers.

The third reason this fall attraction is good news is that it affords an opportunity for families and friends to do things together. Moms and dads ran with their kids and others who didn’t join in the run stood on the sidelines to encourage and cheer them on. That all adds up to the kind of fun that helps bond families and communities.
If there was a downside to the event, it was the traffic congestion that many motorists encountered because of the roadblocks for the runners. There’s no easy answer to this. If the Island is going to play host to such a high-profile marathon, organizers need to ensure that participants will be safe. That means certain arteries have to be blocked off for a specific period of time. But at the very least, more attention should be devoted to making sure the public knows what roads are off limits so they can arrange to take alternative routes.

Run for the Cure a great success

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=182800&sc=123

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Run for the Cure a great success

The Journal Pioneer

Editor,
In this time of economic uncertainty, it is touching to see the outstanding support received on Oct. 5 at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.
On P.E.I., 2,000 people participated in Charlottetown to support families, friends, coworkers, neighbours and even themselves. Islanders raised more than $194,000 toward the Atlantic Canada total of more than $3.4 million.
We’re all counting our dollars carefully these days, and the same is true of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. With more than 2,000 volunteers generously giving their time all year long to co-ordinate runs in the region, we keep costs down so more money can be put toward the cause.
Our local, regional and national sponsors further contribute to the efficiency of our fundraising. In fact, CBCF’s fundraising cost is just 28 cents on the dollar – well within industry standards.
Of net money raised, 95 per cent stays here to support Atlantic Canada initiatives. The remaining five per cent supports research at the national level.
This year alone, CBCF Atlantic Region has awarded more than $1.4 million to Atlantic universities, institutions and communities. These funds support basic research, new digital mammography machines, survivor programs and much more.
In addition to this work, we are also focused on our vision: by 2010, 85 per cent of all eligible women in Atlantic Canada will be regularly screened for breast cancer. The World Health Organization states that even a 70 per cent screening rate will result in 35 per cent fewer deaths due to breast cancer.
Next spring the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Tour for the Cure will hit the road to educate Atlantic Canadians about the importance of regular screening. Our distinctive pink bus will visit more than 80 cities, towns and communities across the region and encourage women to be screened for breast cancer.
We work hard to ensure your hard-earned and thoughtfully donated dollars move us closer to a future without breast cancer. Thank you for your support.
Nancy Margeson
CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Atlantic Region

P.E.I. School Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships

http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=182096&sc=119

P.E.I. School Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships
Glen Stewart, Stonepark, Hernewood double winners

	Novice girls crowd a path at Mill River Provincial Park during the provincial cross-country championships recently. Eric McCarthy/Journal Pioneer

The Journal Pioneer

MILL RIVER -- The 2008 P.E.I. School Athletic Association Source for Sports provincial cross-country championships attracted 703 runners and approximately 2,000 spectators to Mill River Provincial Park recently.
The Westisle family of schools hosted the event for pre-novice to midget-aged runners.
Midget and juvenile runners competed for individual and team titles at Charlottetown Rural High School in Charlottetown on Thursday. While the weather was clear but a little cool for spectators at Mill River, it was ideal for the runners, and some very close finishes were recorded.
"We had a great bunch of responsible students from the Callaghan Intermediate leadership program," reported meet manager Paul Goguen. "These students along with many adult volunteers ran the competition with jobs from finish line officials, scorers, course marshals to parking cars. They all did a fantastic job."
A large time clock borrowed from the P.E.I. Roadrunners' Club helped spectators and runners track finish times.
PEISAA executive director Paul Steele indicated he was impressed with the runners for conquering the challenging course.
Glenn Stewart Elementary won two of the four team titles for elementary-aged runners. Hernewood (bantam and midget girls) and Stonepark (bantam and midget boys) split the four-team titles for students from intermediate schools.
Tignish Elementary won the pre-novice boys' team title and Elm Street Elementary won novice girls.
Pre-novice runners tackled a 1.5-kilometre course and Kelsey MacKinnon from Miscouche and Ryan Boswell from Eliot River had first-place times of 7:32 and 6:51, respectively.
Lydia Schurman from Elm Street's first-place team and Niall Burnett from West Kent were the first girl and boy to complete the novice runners' 2.5-kilometre course in times of 11:00 and 10:36 respectively.
The bantams ran a 3.0-kilometre course, with Maggee Fraser from Hernewood's winning girls' team and Alex Cyr from Evangeline having first-place times of 11:44 and 10:04.
Melissa Richardson from East Wiltshire was the first girl to complete the midgets' 3.5-kilometre course in a time of 15:20 while Kyle Gillis from Stonepark's championship team was the first boy to finish, in a time of 13:32.

One of the Guardian's many great photos

I really like this composite picture that was in the Guardian today. On the left, "Kilt Man" Ron MacDougall
is just cresting a hill around Mill Cove and Alex is starting his ascent. On the right, Alex's best buddies
Dianne & Elaine (seen in earlier posts with Alex's arms wrapped around them)
run together along the north shore by Dalvay.

Today's Guardian is full of great photos, articles and stats.

MacKinnon, Nicholson win overall titles at Prince Edward Island Marathon

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=181783&sc=99
Runners' world
MacKinnon, Nicholson win overall titles
at Prince Edward Island Marathon

	Mike MacKinnon of Miscouche crosses the finsh line to win the overall title at the Prince Edward Island Marathon Sunday in Charlottetown. (Guardian photo by Brian McInnis)

STEPHEN BRUN
The Guardian

Mike MacKinnon was so happy to win Sunday’s BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon that he crossed the finish line twice.

The Miscouche native was announced as a half-marathon runner as he hit the home stretch of the run on University Avenue, and no one was holding the tape at the finish line.

“That was OK, I just had to go back and run through the tape again,” laughed MacKinnon, who finished in a personal best time of two hours, 39 minutes and 28 seconds.

“Today was another personal best. There’s been a lot of people here today having PBs. These are perfect conditions.”

MacKinnon came in ahead of Charlottetown’s Stanley Chiasson, who ran the 42.2-kilometre course in 2:44:11, and Scott Clark of Summerside who finished in 2:45:53.

It was MacKinnon’s second time at the marathon and he said the conditions for the run from Brackley to Charlottetown were perfect.

“You couldn’t get any better — the wind wasn't strong, it was cool the whole way,” he said. “There was a point where I wasn’t sweating and I was wondering if I wasn’t hydrated or if it was cool enough.”

Jen Nicholson, 39, of Cornwall, was the top female finisher for the full marathon with 2:56:35.

Her goal was to finish in three hours or less, and Nicholson let out a scream at the finish line after her mother told her she met the goal.

“Last year my goal was to qualify for Boston. I found the trail really tough and I was way off my time,” Nicholson said. “Then I re-evaluated my goal, and it was to try and do it in three hours. So that was my initial goal and the people (on the course) kept saying, ‘'You’re the first female,’ and I thought, ‘OK, I can live with that.’”

Both winners posted times that would qualify them for the Boston Marathon.

While Nicholson said she would likely compete south of the border, McKinnon said he would focus on qualifying for the New York Marathon.

Sunday also featured a half-marathon, a 10-kilometre walk or run and a corporate team race.

Over 1,600 entrants took part in the events.

Keaghan Rilling of Charlottetown won the half-marathon in a time of 1:23:59, followed by Summerside’s Edwin Gillis and Dakota Cameron.

The top female finisher in the half-marathon was Jennifer Perry of Tignish in 1:35:08.

Kris Taylor of New Glasgow, P.E.I., finished the 10-kilometre run in 34:22, while the top female for the even was Olympian Kara Grant of Mermaid in 42:12.

The team from Crossfit P.E.I. won the corporate team marathon in 3:13:00, beating out the Water Dogs by almost 10 minutes.

The Island marathon course always offers up its share of challenges.

Despite posting the day’s best time, MacKinnon said the Confederation Trail portion of the race always takes its toll.

“You don’t get any up and down hills to change the way your muscles are working, so that’s tough,” he said.

“This year I said, ‘The trails aren't getting me this time,’ so I focused on training on the trails when I was tired. I think it helped a bit. When I hit the road this time I still had a bit of a step.”

(Full results at www.princeedwardislandmarathon.com)

******

Top overall finishers in the P.E.I. Marathon:

* 1. Mike MacKinnon, Miscouche, 2:39:28

* 2. Stan Chaisson, Charlottetown, 2:44:11

* 3. Scott Clark, Summerside, 2:45:53

* 4. Leo McCosham, Charlottetown, 2:46:59

* 5. Paul Baglole, Meadow Bank, 2:51:48

* 6. Ian Holdway, Beechville, N.S., 2:52:21

* 7. Steven Baglole, Charlottetown, 2:52:45

* 8. Mark McCosham, Charlottetown, 2:55:32

* 9. Chris Boucher, London, Ont., 2:56:11

* 10. Jen Nicholson ,Cornwall, 2:56:35

* 11. Chuck Dixon, Sackville, N.B., 2:58:38

* 12. Andrew Seeley, Eastport, Me., 3:00:07

*****

P.E.I. Marathon events:

* Full Marathon

* Half-Marathon Run

* Ten-Kilometre Run

* Half-Marathon Walk

* Ten-Kilometre Walk

* Nordic Walk Half-Marathon

* Nordic Walk Ten-Kilometre

* Corporate/Team Relay

* Kids Spud Run

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=181817&sc=98

Islanders, visitors nurse aches after biggest P.E.I. Marathon

	Runners race by the sand dunes in Brackley Beach Sunday at the start of the annual BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon. The Guardian was the title sponsor of the full-marathon event. The day was cool and ideal for running the 42.2-kilometre race that ended near the cenotaph in Charlottetown. The marathon was won by Mike MacKinnon of Miscouche in a time of 2:39:28. See A Thousands Words on B3 for more photos and also go to the photo gallery section of The Guardian’s website (www.theguardian.pe.ca). Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

STEPHEN BRUN
The Guardian

By Stephen Brun
The Guardian
Ice packs and sore legs may be in store for many Islanders and some visitors today.
Over 1,600 runners converged on P.E.I. over the weekend to take part in the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon, with many more on hand to cheer them on.
Event co-ordinator Myrtle Jenkins-Smith said she plans on taking a bit of time before thinking about what next year’s event will hold, but is pleased every year with how far the marathon has come.
“It’s amazing to see the growth. To go from 173 to over 1,600 is massive growth and we couldn’t do it without the many sponsors that we have and the volunteers are all amazing. We have over 275 volunteers on the course today,’’ she said.
Five years ago, local businessmen Danny Murphy and George Fisher revamped the marathon that had been run on the Island for a couple of decades, hoping to make it a world-class event.
Organizers saw double the expected amount of 400 participants for the first year. The numbers — both in participation and in economic spin-offs — have grown every year since.
“We had several restaurants tell us they didn’t have any seats available (Saturday) night, so that’s a good thing. People were asking us all day what was open, and there are a lot of people here,’’ said Jenkins-Smith.
“When you look at every province, 12 states and international participants from as a far away as Amsterdam and Great Britain — they’re here for a holiday. It’s really terrific that they’re coming here and spending time and staying in hotels.’’
The weekend kicked off on Saturday with the Kids Spud Run at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Entertainment Centre.
Over 300 children and their parents came out to run a lap around the CDPEC racetrack, for the free, safe and fun family event.
“It was a lot of fun and I got some prizes,’’ said nine-year-old Payton Brown at the Spud Run. She and her parents, Eric and Karen, moved to P.E.I. from Texas two years ago. Brown bettered her time of about 12 minutes from last year, she said.
“I run cross-country and sometimes I go for a jog with my dad. I beat my time by eight minutes.’’
The Spud Run is sponsored by the P.E.I. Potato Board, with the goal of mixing the Island’s best-known product with a day of exercise, said the board’s general manager Bob Harding.
“It’s an awesome turnout,’’ said Harding. “What better way to start off the marathon weekend. It’s great for us to tie in potatoes with another healthy activity for kids.’’
Sunday’s marathon began at 9 a.m., with full marathon runners and corporate teams starting at the P.E.I. National Park in Brackley before winding 42.2 kilometres into Charlottetown by way of the Confederation Trail.
Corporate and eight-member teams participating on Sunday included runners from Parks Canada, BMO Nesbitt Burns, Ocean 100 and K-Rock, and the UPEI school of business.
Crossfit P.E.I.’s corporate team entry was the first to cross the finish line in that event, but team member Dave Whitty said a marathon isn’t the type of running the training centre normally does.
“We never run. We do a lot of weight training and cardio, but the most we ever run is probably 400 metres,’’ he laughed.
“We’re a training group and some of us have been training together since January and (a) few others have joined along the way.’’
The fastest runner of the day was Mike MacKinnon of Miscouche, who ran the full marathon in 2:39:28, a personal best.
Jen Nicholson of Cornwall was the fastest female runner, finishing at 2:56:35.
In addition to the full marathon, participants could also run a 21-km half-marathon and walk or run a 10-km track which all started at Province House in Charlottetown.
Thousands of spectators also followed the runners’ progress, along with several musical acts to energize the marathoners along the way.
“I couldn’t believe how many people were out there, it was really incredible,’’ said Jenkins-Smith.
“I think it’s really great that we have a lot of people from off-Island to bring in a fan base and we have our corporate team which brought out a lot of people along the route. Every category was up in terms of participants, and where people are coming from really is amazing.’’

On The Run - Preparations are over, now it's marathon time. No better place, no better time.

(Click on article to enlarge & read)

On the mark

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=179760&sc=98
On the mark

JIM DAY
The Guardian

Alanna Jankov and her 12-year-old son, Martin Sobey, are training to run the half- marathon next week on P.E.I. The Charlottetown mother-and-son duo plans to run stride for stride and cross the finish line together. Guardian photo by Jim Day

A 75-year-old man will be stepping up to the starting line.
So, too, will an 11-year-old girl.
A family of six from Nova Scotia is also getting in on the act.
Some will make a real long hike, from places as far away as Denmark and China, to lace up on Prince Edward Island.
Indeed, runners and walkers from all walks of life will take part next weekend in many categories that comprise the BMO Nesbitt Burns P.E.I. Marathon.
Event co-ordinator Myrtle Jenkins-Smith is pleased not only with the diversity of participants, but with the growing numbers as well.
Marathons had been run on the Island for a couple of decades, but never drew much of a crowd, the largest turnout being a mere 173 runners.
That was before local businessmen George Fisher and Danny Murphy coaxed a major expansion of the marathon five years ago into a full weekend event that they hoped would see many people sprinting to Prince Edward Island, cash in hand.
Mission accomplished.
The goal of attracting roughly 400 entrants in the first year of the repackaged event was doubled.
Last year, more than 1,400 people registered. More than 1,500 are expected this year and over half of those will likely be from off-Island.
“We are growing and we are growing quicker than anybody would have thought,’’ said Jenkins-Smith.
To make the event sustainable, more categories were added to attract greater numbers. There are now nine events, including The Guardian-sponsored full marathon, a half-marathon and a 10-kilometre run. There is a half-marathon walk and a 10-K walk and a corporate team event. A Nordic half- marathon walk and a Nordic 10-k walk have been added this year.
Children can again get into the fun with the comparatively short Kids Spud Run.
“We have to make an event that there is something for everyone,’’ said Jenkins-Smith.
This open-to-practically-everyone-with-a-pair-of-sneakers-and-a-decent-heartbeat philosophy is drawing an interesting, diverse and far-reaching crowd.
Here is a snapshot of some of this year’s participants:
n At 75, Joe Lin of Dartmouth, N.S., is the oldest entrant to date. He and his wife, Heather, who turns 70 on Thanksgiving Day, are set for the 10-K walk. The pair walks a couple of kilometres a day, but they have never taken part in a competition. Friends, who get together to do Tai Chi and other activities, convinced the Lins to lace up for Prince Edward Island. “This is strictly for fun,’’ said Joe Lin. “I’m not trying to prove anything.’’
n While friends convinced the Lins to walk in the weekend event, Robert Pinkston of Sherbrooke, Que., was the inspiration for his clan to run on the Island. Sharon Pinkston said the family became motivated to take up running after watching her husband run the Boston Marathon in 2006. Sharon, who ran her first marathon last year in Florida, is set to run the full marathon on P.E.I., while son Zack, 16, will tackle his third half-marathon and 11-year-old daughter Haley will set her sights on completing her first 10-K race. As for Robert, he will be sidelined to look after four-year-old daughter Maleah. Sharon, who will be raising money in her marathon run for a young boy with a rare disease, is pleased by the diversity of categories. “I think it’s great that they have all these events,’’ she said. “I think it will get bigger and bigger every year.’’
n The weekend will certainly be a family affair for the Dessureaults. André Dessureault, 40, of Dartmouth, N.S., plans to run the half- marathon while his wife, Janet Harrison, does the 10-K run, and the couple’s four children — Lauren, 9, Julie, 8, Sarah, 6, and Thomas, 3, tear up the Kids Spud run. André, who completed the half-marathon last year in P.E.I., enjoyed the experience so much he is carting the entire clan back this weekend. “Being my first one last year, I was quite impressed with the whole thing,’’ he said. “It was run very smoothly . . . There’s something for everyone there and that’s the beauty of this weekend.’’
n Not only are there categories catering to runners and walkers of vastly varying abilities, there is even flexibility built in to accommodate special requests. At age 12, Martin Sobey of Charlottetown is technically too young to compete in the half-marathon, but with his mother signing a waiver, he has been given the green light. Mom Alanna Jankov will also be by the boy’s side every step of the way as Martin attempts his first ever half- marathon. Jankov, an accomplished marathon runner, has been training with her son, putting in about three 12-kilometre runs a week.
“It’s nice to do something with Martin that isn’t typical (mother-son fare) and I think it’s important to see at my age — 41 — being physically active, it can take you through your entire life,’’ said Jankov, a professional photographer.
Martin came up with the idea of running the half marathon with his mom.
“I thought it would be a challenge,’’ he said.
Jankov hopes the run leads to the pair taking even lengthier strides together.
“I can picture Martin in a few years time — he and I heading off and doing a full marathon somewhere and he’ll be leaving me in the dust for sure,’’ she says.
n Mike Stapenhurst’s first trip through the Island course this weekend will mark his 28th marathon. His first marathon was in 1985 in New York. The 67-year-old New Brunswick resident, who runs twice a week with the Capital City Road Runners in Fredericton, took a break last year. “I can’t remember why I didn’t do one last year. I probably just didn’t feel like it,’’ he says. But Stapenhurst is eager to make his way next weekend through what he has heard is quite a scenic run on the Island.
n Paul Barton has called P.E.I. home since emigrating to the province from Britain in 2006 to marry. He began running for fitness in May and is set to compete in the half marathon. “Up to now I have only watched marathons on TV such as London and Boston and have always been amazed at the tens of thousands of runners and the huge crowds of onlookers,’’ he says. “I know the Island event may be small in size (by comparison) but I am sure it will be all the more friendly for that.’’
n Erik Verschuren of the Netherlands will hop a plane along with his mother and his sister to visit family on Prince Edward Island. While here, he will add the P.E.I. run to marathons he wracked up at the rate of about one a year between 1987 and 2000 in, among other places, Utrecht, New York, Rotterdam, Boston, Berlin and Capetown.
n Premier Robert Ghiz, who ran the half marathon last year despite nursing an injury, is set to tackle the 21-kilometre route again. He considers the marathon weekend a strong vehicle to promote both exercise and tourism. “For myself, it’s a great way to stay in shape and to burn off some stress,’’ he says. The biggest challenge for the premier is finding the time to put in the training. As for comparing a half marathon to a political race, Ghiz sees similarities. “They’re both very challenging but when you reach the finish line hopefully they both will be very rewarding.’’

Mountains man

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=179639&sc=100

Mountains man
Linus Gillis of Miscouche scaled great heights during his six-month, 3,500-kilometre hike along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine

Related video-on-demand :Mountains man (News Coverage)

MARY MACKAY
The Guardian




Linus Gillis is a changed man after completing a six-month, 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) march of the Appalachian Trail.

In fact, he lost about a fifth of his weight and gained a new Grizzly Adams-style beard and hairdo doing this 14-state hike, which the official guidebook says is the equivalent of going from sea level to the summit of Mount Everest and back more than 16 times.

“It’s a triumph in my life really to do that,” says this Miscouche contractor, who celebrated his 60th birthday near the end of his Georgia to Maine Appalachian Trail journey.

“He’s amazingly healthy for someone who (about 10 years ago) couldn’t walk from here to (the end of the room) without puffing and panting. He's amazing, he literally is,” says his wife, Faye Gillis.

Gillis did this journey of a lifetime for the health of it. Although he had quit smoking years ago, his weight kept rising to its pre-walk scale of 109 kilograms (240 pounds), putting him at risk for health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.

About six years ago he began hiking on a short distance scale. Then a few years ago he hiked the Confederation Trail from tip to tip. However, that 11-day 300-plus-kilometre endeavour would prove to be a walk in the park compared to the six-month 2,175-kilometre Appalachian Trail.

With some winter gym and outdoor camping time under his belt, he stepped onto the trail in Georgia on March 31 of this year, carrying a weighty backpack with camping gear, clothing and enough food to get him from one re-supply spot to the next.

He wasn’t alone. Friend Alan MacKenzie of Travellers Rest was along for the walk until mid-June when until a financial commitment forced him to end his hike in Virginia.

These Islanders were two of approximately 4,000 hikers from all walks of life and all corners of the globe to set out this year on the Appalachian Trail. Only about one-tenth did the full Monty.

“It’s called a thru-hike; you do the whole continuous trail in one season. That’s what I had planned to do but whether I could do it or not I didn’t know at the time because I knew it was a long challenging journey,” Gillis says.

“It’s 2,200 miles roughly and that’s just the trail itself. Altogether you’re hiking about 2,600 miles because there are (places) where you have to get off the main trail at different times to go in to shelters, to go get water or to go into towns.”

The first day was a quick introduction to some of the difficulties to come.

“It was about five or six o’clock when we finally got to the top of the mountain at the rock where you had to register. It was raining and half snowing, a miserable, miserable day, so it was kind of an eye-opener to start with,” Gillis says.

“Thankfully, I had worked at the gym so was half prepared anyway. But as time went by the weight was coming off and you’d start to get in shape and the first time one mountain leads into another. . . . It was a gradual thing.”

As the physical challenges became easier, the mental fatigue of doing the same thing day in and day out became the next obstacle for him to overcome.

“You’d walk 10 or 15 miles and think I still have another 2,000 to go, so then you’ve got to take it one mountain at a time, one day at a time — break it up into small, little segments,” he says.

“Every now and again you get to a milestone, you leave one state and go into another state. The worst one of all was Virginia because it was 500-and-some miles so you're in Virginia for what seems like forever.”

Virginia also stands out in MacKenzie’s mind. It was his place of departure after two-and-a-half months on the trail, during which time he developed friendships with others who were doing the same personal challenge.

“There’s quite a bond that develops among hikers. There’s more than your hiking partner looking out for you,” he says. “(Most) begin the hike total strangers to each other and then the bond develops regardless of age, sex or where people are from and it increasingly gets stronger and stronger.”

By happenstance, Gillis met up with North Carolina artist James Davis, better known on the trail as Brushstrokes, who hiked with him to the end.

“Everybody that hikes has a trail name,” explains Gillis, whose trail handle was Serene.

“Serene means peaceful and quiet. Because I’m self-employed I’m gung-ho all the time, got to get this done and that done. And every time I’d go out hiking or walking I’d settle down some. And so my buddy, Alan, stuck that on me, Serene.”

Of course, being an extensive wilderness trail, there were dangers to consider.

“Bears are the least of your worries on the trail. As soon as they spot you, if you’re lucky to see one, they’re gone before you get anywhere close to them,” Gillis says.

Rattlesnakes, however, were another slithering matter in certain areas.

“I was hiking with (Davis one day) and he hollered, ‘You just stepped on a snake!’

“Of course he didn’t know what it was. So when I came back it was all coiled up and ready to strike and it was a rattlesnake.”

As it turned out, it was the unpredictable human factor that Appalachian Trail hikers had to fear most. This year, there were a number of crimes involving hikers. In fact in May two people were allegedly shot by a man who had previously been convicted and served time for murdering two people on the trail in 1981. The latest victims survived but the suspect died in custody in a Virginia jail cell.

Injuries could also hit a hiker great distances from immediate medical help.

Gillis was held up in Pennsylvania for a week as he fought a lower leg infection. There were plenty of on-trail falls but fortunately nothing that prevented him from finishing his personal trek.

Thru-hikers are always on a timetable of sorts because the end point of Baxter State Park in Maine closed in mid-October and hiking past that time can become dangerous due to weather.

In June, his wife and one of his sons, David Gillis, made the first of a number of trips south to give a boost of family support. It was their first look at Gillis’ slimmed down and increasingly bearded appearance.

“The first time David and I went down to see him, we walked right by him,” Faye Gillis remembers.

“. . . . I recognized this ugly green shirt he used to wear and when I looked there he was. I barrelled over to give him a big hug . . . and I said, ‘Where’s the rest of you?

“And David turned around thinking ‘What is she doing? She’s awfully friendly with those hikers’ and then he realized it was his father. (We’ve) never known him to have a beard.”

Family and friends were also in Maine when Gillis and his friend, Davis, reached the summit of Mount Katahdin on Sept. 30. That nine-hour hiking day was 8.4 kilometres (5.2 miles) straight up the mountain and the same distance back again.

“It was quite a feeling to think that this is it, I’m going to go home after I get down off this mountain,” he says.

“ ‘My son had hiked up the mountain with us and unbeknownst to me he had a birthday cake with candles so we lit that up on the mountain and had a birthday party.”

Gillis goes down in history as the 345th person to finish the Appalachian Trail in the 2008 season.

“I was glad it was over because I wanted to get home to my family and my grandchildren and all that. But I was kind of disappointed that the end had come because it becomes a way of life.

“Every day you’re out there and you’re with these people. Your main responsibility was to hike so many miles and that’s about it. It just seems to become a way of life after six months,” he says.

Gillis is now somewhat settled into home life again, albeit the beard and lengthy hairstyle remain intact for now. As for future hiking adventures, they will be on a much smaller scale than the Appalachian Trail.

“I wouldn’t want to do another long hike like that, but I’d go hiking tomorrow.”



Fast facts

The number of people hiking the entire trail has risen dramatically over the years. From 1936 to 1969, only 61 completions are recorded. In 1970, the numbers began to rise. Ten people completed the trail in 1970, including Ed Garvey, whose thru-hike was well-publicized. The trend was further fueled by the release of Garvey's popular book, Appalachian Hiker: Adventure of a Lifetime. The term "2,000-miler" was coined in the late 1970s to help identify this growing group of hikers.

By 1980, the total number of 2,000-milers had increased more than ten-fold. The total had doubled by 1990 and again by 2000. More hike completions were reported for the year 2000 alone than in the first 40 years combined. The 10,000th hike completion was recorded in 2008.History

2,000-milers by decade

1930s 8

1940s 3

1950s 14

1960s 37

1970s 749

1980s 1,410

1990s 3,275

2000-present 4,600

Total: 10,096