This weekend's Races, Runs & Walks - Clark's Toyota 5 Miler & More!

Clark's Toyota 5 Mile Run
5 Miles
Points Race
Saturday, May 14, 2011

Start Time: 9:30 am
Registration: 8:30 am Scott Clark's home - 1667 Linkletter Rd, 1K west of Summerside Golf Course on Route 11
Fee: $10.00
Sponsor: Clark's Toyota
Fundraiser: Children's Wish Foundation
Contact: Scott Clark - 888-2961, 436-5800 s.clark@clarkstoyota.ca
Course Description: A Flat looped course run partially on the Linkletter Rd., Confederation Trail and the Kinsmen Rd. (dirt road)
Course Map
Other Notes: A perfect distance for runners of all abilities. Lots of prizes and refreshments. A great run to help kick-start your running season and help support a very worthwhile charity

Clark's 5 Miler 2005 ~ Clark's 5 Miler 2006 ~ Clark's 5 Miler 2007 ~ Clark's 5 Miler 2008 Clark's 5 Miler 2009 ~ Clark's 5 Miler 2010

Photos from the Clark's Toyota 5 Miler (2005-2010)

On Sunday
there are 3 Runs and/or Walks happening:

YMCA Prince Edward Island
5K Family Fun Run/Walk (Trail)
Sunday, May 15, 2011

Start Time: 10:00 am
Registration: 8:30 am at Emerald Rec Centre
Fee: $10 for Adults, $8.00 for Seniors, $5.00 for those under 16
Sponsor: YMCA of Prince Edward Island
Fundraiser: Youth at Risk Program
Contact: Gordon Nicholson gordonnicholson@hotmail.com
Course Description: Run will take place on a walking trail, mostly flat terrain, slight grades to and from.
Course Map
Other Notes: BBQ, prizes, refreshments, and activities at rec center to follow the race

Alzheimer Society of PEI Walk for Memories & 5K Run

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Start Time: 1:00 pm
Registration: 12:30pm - Charlottetown and Summerside waterfronts
Fee: Collect pledges $20
Sponsors: Metro Credit Union, Cox and Palmer, The Cities of Charlottetown and Summerside, The Guardian, Ocean 100, and Sign Craft
Fundraiser: Alzheimer Society of PEI
Contact: To register for the Walk for Memories, simply call 628-2257, toll free 1-866-628-2257 or email society@alzpei.ca
Course Map
Other Notes: The Walk for Memories is an awareness and fundraising event for the Alzheimer Society of PEI. Proceeds from this event support key programs and services for Islanders affected by Alzheimer's and related diseases as well as supporting national research programs.
Beverages, snacks and entertainment will be provided.

http://www.alzpei.ca/home.htm

The 8^th Annual
Alzheimer
Walk and Run for Memories
Who are you walking for?

Sunday, May 15^th, 2011
Registration begins at 12:30pm
Walk and Run begin at 1:30pm
Charlottetown & Summerside Waterfronts

Whether your purpose is for research into causes, treatments and cures, support and education for those who live with the disease, or for hope for tomorrow, we all Walk With a Purpose!
----------------------------------------------
Mayor Lee and Mayor Stewart A-Teams are challenging the 2 cities to see who has the most dollars raised and who has the most participants engaged in the Walk for Memories!

http://city.charlottetown.pe.ca/news.php?id=371

Leading up to the Walk we ask participants to consider bringing a photo or message in memory of a loved one. This brings the emotional connection to the event, about why we are all there. Forget Me Not!

Walk to Fight Arthritis
1K or 5K Walk
Sunday, May 15, 2011

Start Time: 9:00 am
Registration: 10:00 am at UPEI Alumni Place Outdoor Track
Fundraiser: Arthritis Society of PEI
Contact: Sarah Drew - The Arthritis Society 902-628-2288 sdrew@pe.arthritis.ca
Course Description: UPEI Alumni Place Track
Other Notes: To Register for the Walk, please visit www.walktofightarthritis.com

The Arthritis Society’s Walk to Fight Arthritis presented by the makers of TYLENOL® is about walking and fighting back. By registering and raising pledges, you’ll be helping to fund leading-edge research and essential programs that support those living with arthritis.

There is no cost to register but participants are encouraged to raise at least $100 in pledges. All participants who raise $100 or more will receive an official Walk to Fight Arthritis t-shirt on event day. For information on our other great prizes, click here.

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/sports/article/1404625

Brake rules capital marathon

Published Monday May 9th, 2011

Running: Saint John athlete wins for eighth time in Fredericton

CHRISTOPHER CAMERON
For Canadaeast news Service

FREDERICTON - After finishing first and setting the course record in last year's Scotiabank Fredericton Marathon, Saint John's Chris Brake was back this year determined to do the same.

The Daily Gleaner/CHRISTOPHER CA

James Forsey, left, is congratulated by friend Corey Deveaux both of Nova Scotia as he crosses the finish line at Sundays full marathon in Fredericton. The race was won for the eighth time by Saint John runner Chris Brake. Photo: James West/Canadaeast News Service

Furthmore, he didn't have to worry about last year's second place finisher and 2009 winner, Alex Coffin, who decided to compete in the 10-km this time around.

Brake attained his goal by winning the full marathon. But he came just short of breaking the record of 2:34:46, finishing with a time of 2:35:41. Brake expressed disappointment in the result following a mix up at the race's end.

"I was right bang on with the course record," he said. "I thought I was finished a couple hundred metres before I got to the finish line and I was walking for a few seconds and by the time I crossed the right finish line, it was another minute or so."

Brake, who has won this event eight times, also said he preferred the regular course, which was designed to begin and end at Officer's Square instead of the flood course beginning and ending at Queen Square. Concerns over the rise of the St. John River during the past week precipitated the decision to alter the route.

"It kind of threw off my mental game," he said of the change in course. "I don't like this course as much as I like the other one. I ran this course before and I just find this one just bothers me for some reason. I find the other one is just mentally easier to run."

Finishing behind Brake was Ray Moorehead of Halifax at 2:45:14 with Mike Mueller of Fall River, N.S. coming in third with a 2:47:09 mark.

The top male finisher from Fredericton was Len Falkenstein in fourth place with a time of 2:55:32.

Former Frederictonian Susan Carbyn was the first female finisher in the full marathon with a time of 3:11:41, finishing tenth overall. Carbyn now lives in New Minus, N.S. but decided to make this a regular trip to visit family beginning last year.

"I ran it last year two weeks after I ran Boston (marathon)," she said. "This is my hometown. I went to FHS. It feels great to win this here, but it is also nice to be able to stay with my family and enjoy that part of the weekend as well."

Carbyn said finishing over 20 minutes ahead of her time of 3:23:26 from last year is surprising considering she wasn't feeling well prior to the start of the race.

"I didn't feel ready for this race at all and my iPod was dead this morning so I didn't have my usual running music to go with me," she said. "I just decided to relax and enjoy it and I got this unexpected result. I think just relaxing and maintaining a more steady pace (then last year) and then kicking it at the end made the difference in where I finished."

The second and third place finishers for women both were from Fredericton with Joannne Reynolds finishing just behind Carbyn at 3:12:18 and Lucia Tramonte finishing with a time of 3:20:45.

Reynolds said she had her strategy right to catch Carbyn at the end, but a late cramp caused her to come up short.

"Susan was ahead of me for a good gap, but in the second half I started to gain on her," said Reynolds. "My strategy was to wait until the last four miles, then kick it in, but I came up short. I started to cramp up in my calf (muscle) and that was it."

In the half-marathon, David Brown of Islandview finished first with a time of 1:14:34. Brown was followed by Fredericton's Mike Davis at 1:19:50. The top female and 11th overall in the half-marathon was Deborah Powell of Guelph, Ont. in 1:28:23. The top Fredericton female in the half was Keely Campbell at 1:34:14.

Dean Strowbridge won the 10-km for the second year in a row, beating last year's time of 35:53 with a 34:02 finish. Last year's marathon runner-up, Coffin, finished second in the 10-km with a time of 34:27. Fredericton's Rachel McCarvill was the best female in 39:47.

The 5-km was captured by two Fredericton athletes with Alex McAllister taking the men's title in 17:08 and Chelsey Hall was tops among hte women with a time of 19:42.

Although the course had to be altered because of the flood, race director Paul Lavoie said there were no major issues.

"The event was an extreme success despite all the problems we had with weather and having to move the course a week before," said Lavoie. "The feedback I'm getting is phenomenal so I am pleased."

More than 1,100 runners and walkers took part in the event.

Islanders on the Run - Today in Fredericton

http://www.frederictonmarathon.ca


Full Marathon Results

20   493 Gary Simmonds       Morrell         PE   CA      M   3/26   M5059  3:19:40*
49   502 Dave Clark          Summerside      PE   CA      M  20/39   M4049  3:39:53 
87   564 Jennifer Power-Hawrylak Summerside      PE   CA      F  10/25   F4049   3:55:28 
107   478 David MacNeil       Alexandra       PE   CA      M  18/26   M5059  4:05:25 

Half Marathon Results

80   967 Sandy Carson Mcguire Summerside      PE   CA      F   3/42   F5059 1:45:32
116   769 Kurt Laird          Cardigan        PE   CA      M  26/56   M4049  1:49:55
193   789 Don Neily           Charlottetown   PE   CA      M  27/44   M5059  1:58:06 
233   685 Cathy Vaniderstine  Stratford       PE   CA      F  29/79   F4049  2:01:44
264   687 Rose Murphy Cheverie Stratford       PE   CA      F  15/42   F5059  2:05:32
422   811 Lisa Ostridge       Charlottetown   PE   CA      F  62/64   F3039 2:41:10

10K Results

196    32 Tracy Cash          Kensington      PE   CA       45/65   F3039 1:05:29

Congrats All!

A 5Km Personal Best - My 8th Running of the Proude's Shoes 5K

It was cloudy and 9 degrees.

The Proude's Shoe 5km in Sherwood. The out and back course on Maple Ave, Ash Drive and Mulberry Park.

David Gallant won the race and Kelly MacDonald for the top female.

I finished in 18:22, beat my 5km personal best of 45 seconds faster than 2008 Deltaware and came in 3rd out of 119 runners.

It was 8th time running the Proude's Shoes 5K from starting the running career.

My boss Em's son Kristopher ran his first ever race. Julia ran her first race at the Bunny Hop.


Official Result: 3rd out of 119
5K in 18 minutes, 22 seconds

Em & Kristopher

3rd Place!

Full Results

More Photos


Proude's Shoes 2010 ~ Proude's Shoes 2009 ~ Proude's Shoes 2008 ~ Proude's Shoes 2007
Proude's Shoes 2006 ~ Proude's Shoes 2005 ~ Proude's Shoes 2004

Photos from Proude's Shoes 5K (2004-2011)

Alex & Peter Meggs
before Alex's very first PEI RoadRunners Race,
the 2004 Proude's Shoes 5K

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness

Joel MacDonald's Ultramarathon for KidSport PEI

On May 13th, at sunrise, Joel MacDonald of Belfast PEI will be running his first ever Ultramarathon (108.47 kms!!) to raise money for KidSport PEI. His journey will begin at East Point Lighthouse and will continue along the North shore and end at Confederation Landing around midnight.

Route Map

Everyone who wishes to walk, jog, run or simply cheer for a good cause are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The following links will provide the route Joel will be running as well as the details on donating to KidSport PEI.

• http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/index.php?page=pei_welcome
• Joel's Fundraising Page
  
• Route Map

Have a great run Joel!

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2011-05-04/article-2478810/Walking-in-Gillis%26rsquo%3B-footsteps/1

Walking in Gillis’ footsteps

Linus Gillis hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

Published on May 4, 2011

Stephen Brun
The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE - Friends of Linus Gillis have organized a memorial tip-to-tip walk in his honour this month.

Gillis, a native of Miscouche, began long-distance walking in 2003 when he trekked from North Cape to East Point on the Confederation Trail.

In 2008 at age 60, he took on the ambitious challenge of hiking the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, which travels through 14 American states between Georgia and Maine.

Gillis passed away at age 61 in May 2010, as he was attempting to conquer another long-distance trail in Terradillos de los Templarios, Spain.

One year later, Gillis' family and friends have put together a memorial walk to commemorate his 2003 tip-to-tip voyage.

The journey begins May 14 at 9 a.m. in North Cape, and culminates May 24 in East Point.

The group will also have a celebration of Gillis' life when they arrive at the home of his widow, Faye, on Kelly Drive in Miscouche on May 17.

Gillis' friend Bill McFadden said the walk is intended to be a memorial and not a fundraiser but, if participants wish to donate money, they can do so to the International Children's Memorial Place in Scales Pond.

More information on the event can be found at www.islandtrails.ca. Those interested in participating can contact McFadden at billmcfadden@excite.com

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/04/kassap-runner-dies215.html

Toronto runner dies at 28 after race

Danny Kassap, shown in this 2005 photo, won the first competitive marathon he ran. (Tobin Grimshaw/Canadian Press)

Danny Kassap, who came to Canada in 2001 to participate in the Francophone Games in Ottawa, died early Monday.

He cut short his Toronto Sporting Life run because he wasn't feeling well.

Kassap, a fixture in the Toronto running community, was 28.

'You can die by doing anything, not just running, so why should I stop running?'— Danny Kassap

"Danny was one of the friendliest people I've ever met," said Badhi Shoeri, one of Kassap's friends.

"Throughout the years, he just demonstrated to me what real friendship was. And despite all his talents, he was always incredibly humble and incredibly helpful to people," he told CBC's Metro Morning.

Kassap won the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2004 in two hours 14 minutes 50 seconds in his first try at the distance. At the time, he was working in a fish and chip shop to pay the bills.

The five-foot-seven, 125-pound Kassap, who did not get Canadian citizenship until 2008 after an initial refugee claim was rejected, ran the distance three minutes faster than any Canadian.

Runner 'seemed fine' before death

Kassap told Shoeri before Sunday's race he thought he was coming down with a cold.

Kassap called Shoeri after he pulled out Sunday. The two watched a movie together at Kassap's apartment that evening.

Kassap "seemed fine, he was laughing," said Shoeri.

Funeral expenses

Kassap's friends are trying to raise $20,000 to pay for a funeral and have started a website where people can make donations.

He had minimal savings and his family is in the Congo and unable to contribute financially.

When Shoeri left at around 10 p.m. Kassap walked him to his car.

"We chatted a bit, I gave him a hug and I left. And then I got a call at 3 in the morning to rush to the hospital. And I went to Sunnybrook [Health Sciences Centre] and I found out that he had passed away," Shoeri said, his voice trembling.

The cause of his death is not immediately known, and an autopsy is expected to be performed Wednesday.

Kassap had a near-death experience three years ago when he ran in Berlin's marathon.

He was placed in a medically induced coma for several days and, upon returning to Canada, was diagnosed as having suffered a "ventricular fibrillation" brought on by an inflammation of the heart that was caused by a cold virus.

He took eight months off to recover, winning a five-kilometre race before running in a half-marathon almost one year to the day he collapsed.

"I was born to be an athlete, so I need to prove it. I'm not giving up," he said in a CBC interview months after he collapsed.

"At some points, people keep asking me — you going to be scared when you're running? Of course, but we all here, we're going to end up dying. So, you're not going to avoid [it]. You can die by doing anything, not just running, so why should I stop running?… I'm going to run the same way I always run."

http://www.cbc.ca/liverightnow/blog-entry/in-just-one-year.html

In Just One Year!

Adrien Sherry (centre) signs up for her first 5K.

Adrien Sherry, from Kensington, P.E.I. talks about how she went from zero to 5K in one year.

By Adrien Sherry

What a difference a year can make!

That's my first thought when I look back at pictures from my first five kilometre race.

Since June of last year I've made some enormous changes to my eating and exercising habits.

I was overweight, at just around 200 pounds and although I was active, I was out of shape and had no real exercise plan. Then I joined the Learn to Run program led by Lynn Anne Hogan and Ronda Bellefontaine.

We started Learn to Run by walking, yes walking just three minutes fast and then one minute at a regular pace. I often took my two boys in our double stroller, they loved going to "running club" and they really loved the snacks afterwards!

We gradually built up our running and I attempted my first five kilometre race in June. My plan was to run for five minutes then walk for one minute, and to finish in less than 40 minutes.

I can't explain the sense of pride I felt running in that race, there were many times when tears were in my eyes.

I passed the finish line at 32:50 and experienced my first "runners high."

I was hooked!

Over the summer our group kept running together. I met so many amazing people, and made some friends for life. And to celebrate the anniversary of my first five kilometre race, on June 19th I will run a half marathon (21 km.)

I don't know how to express the impact a support network has had on my life and the lives of my family. Because they were all so accepting of me, I had the courage to start. They were there to help me with the double stroller and when I was a little behind someone was always there to run with me.

It's very scary to start a new activity when you are overweight and out of shape but they knew I could do it, even before I knew I could do it.

Now here I am, I've lost over 40 pounds and I'm training for a half marathon.

I have a mantra that keeps me motivated, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."

So come on Canada, it's time to do something new, LIVE RIGHT NOW!!!

Want to start running? Check out part one of our Live Right Now running guide to get started.

This Saturday's Race - The Proude's Shoes 5K

Proude's Shoes 5K Run
5K
PEI RoadRunners Points Race
Saturday, May 7, 2011

Start Time: 9:00 am
Registration: 8:00 am at Proude's Shoes - Sherwood Business Centre, St. Peters Road
Fee: $10 individual, $20 per family
Sponsor: Proude's Shoes & Saucony
Fundraiser: Youth Mission Nicaragua 2012
Contact: Kevin Proude 894-3504 info@proudesshoes.com
Course Description: A nice run for all abilities through the streets of Sherwood
Course Map

Proude's Shoes 2010 ~ Proude's Shoes 2009 ~ Proude's Shoes 2008 ~ Proude's Shoes 2007
Proude's Shoes 2006 ~ Proude's Shoes 2005 ~ Proude's Shoes 2004

Photos from Proude's Shoes 5K (2004-2010)

3rd place finish - broke last week's PB at the Sporting Intentions Spring Run Off

It was cloudy and 8 degrees.

The Sporting Intentions Spring Run Off in North River Road. The out and back course on North River Rd, Brighton and Victoria Park.

Connor McGuire won the 10km race and Kara Grant for the top female.

I finished in 40:03 and beat my 10km personal best 23 seconds from last Saturday's Bunny Hop and came in 3rd out of 56 runners.

Tyler Koughan won the 5km race and Alyssa Arbing for the top female.

I run home from work 5km almost everyday that why I'm running faster and breaking PBs.

Official Result: 3rd out of 56
10K in 40 minutes, 3 seconds

5K Results ~*~ 10K Results

More Photos

Sporting Intention's Photos

Spring Run Off 2010 ~*~ Spring Run Off 2009 ~*~ Spring Run Off 2008

Photos from the Sporting Intentions Spring Run Off 2008-2011

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2011-05-01/article-2468893/McGuire%2C-Koughan-top-runners-in-Sporting-Intentions-Spring-Run/1

McGuire, Koughan top runners
in Sporting Intentions Spring Run

Published on May 1, 2011
Jason Simmonds

CHARLOTTETOWN - Connor McGuire and Tyler Koughan were the top runners in their respective divisions in the Sporting Intentions Spring Run here Saturday morning.

McGuire, 19, won the 10-kilometre event in 34 minutes 36 seconds (34:36). Carson Campbell (39:53), Alex Bain (40:03), Leo McCosham (40:52) and Michael Gaudet (41:06) rounded out the top-five finishers.

Kara Grant, 32, was the first female to hit the finish line in 42:09. She was eighth overall in the field of 58.

It was the second 10K win in a row for McGuire, who also won the Source for Sports Bunny Hop on April 30 in 33:22.

5K

In the five-kilometre race, the 19-year-old Koughan finished 11 seconds ahead of second-place finisher David McQuillan. Koughan's time was 20:43 while McQuillan stopped the clock in 20:54. Ryan Lloyd (21:09), Andrew Pickard (21:30) and Ryan MacRae (21:50) were third, fourth and fifth.

Alyssa Arbing, 15, was the top-finishing female in 26 minutes flat. She was 14th overall.

A total of 62 runners took part in the five-kilometre race.

Next race

The next P.E.I. RoadRunners Club race is the Proude's Shoes 5K Run on Saturday. Registration at Proude's Shoes at the Sherwood Business Centre will begin at 8 a.m., with the race beginning at 9 a.m.

This race is a fund-raiser for Youth Mission Nicaragua 2012.

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness

Saltscapes Expo - Yes, we have soap!

The Great Canadian Soap Company is going to be at the Saltscapes Expo
in Halifax this weekend.

We all work very hard getting ready.

I cut and labeled 1,500 bars of travel soap this week.

If you are in Halifax this weekend come to Saltscapes Expo
Shannon and Conor will be there to give you
a free travel bar of our Goat's Milk Soap!
They have great deals on our products too

If you are in PEI this weekend, come to the Spring Run Off

If you are in New Brunswick, the 6th annual Grand-Digue 15K is happening.

Have a good weekend!

Autistic track star sidelined by bureaucracy

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/autistic-track-star-sidelined-by-bureaucracy/article1988918/

Autistic track star sidelined by bureaucracy

KATE HAMMER

EDUCATION REPORTER— From Monday's Globe and Mail

Published Sunday, Apr. 17, 2011 9:48PM EDT

In a number of ways, Andrew Towle is exceptional. He was diagnosed with autism and started high school well behind academically, but the 19-year-old recently won a place on his school’s honour roll and on their track and field team.

Now he has been told he can’t compete – no exceptions.

The body that oversees high-school sports in Ontario says its eligibility rules are firm. Even though Andrew makes the age cutoff, and didn’t take a single Grade 9 class in his first year at Ottawa Technical Learning Centre, the federation has blocked him from competing this year on the grounds that he’s been in high school too long.

The eligibility clock began ticking the moment Andrew walked through the front doors of Ottawa Technical, the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations says, and his five years are up.

There are no appeals.

The decision was a shock to Andrew, his teachers, his coaches and family, who have watched him come a long way only to be sidelined by bureaucracy.

Most provinces have similar rules to Ontario’s, which match a student’s years of eligibility to the length of an average high-school career. Executive director Doug Gellatly says OFSAA receives about one inquiry a year from a student seeking to dispute their eligibility, and that they’re told the rules are firm.

That unbending approach could be tested in coming years. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among students has grown, and autistic athletes are finding a natural fit and a sense of normalcy in endurance sports.

“Why be this inflexible and bureaucratic with something that’s so important to these student competitors?” said Jonathan Towle, Andrew’s father. “It’s just very unfair.”

The rule that excludes him is meant to promote inclusion: OFSAA has put a five-year limit on eligibility so that more students get a chance to participate.

“We didn’t want to get into dealing with all kinds of different circumstances,” said Mr. Gellatly. “… We thought it was just better to have a clean rule, give them five years and beyond that give other kids the chance to participate.”

Andrew spent his first year at Ottawa Technical Learning Centre taking non-credit courses, bringing his academics up to speed in preparation for Grade 9. It was in his third year, on a whim, that he joined one of the track team’s practices.

“At my first ever practice race, I finished in last, and I told myself I got to do better,” Andrew said. “So I pretty much kept on going and my goal every time was to improve.”

A year and a half later, he was winning races. He was one of the top five long-distance runners in the Ottawa region and he won a spot to compete at the provincial championships.

It was about that time that his grades started improving. He made friends on the team and developed a sense of sportsmanship.

“Until running came along there wasn’t really anything he could identify with, now he can say, ‘I’m a runner,’ ” said Andrew’s father. “That’s really given his life a focus, it’s shown him that if he works hard he can succeed at things.”

Autistic people like Andrew often have learning difficulties. Growing up, he struggled with language and socialization, his senses were easily overwhelmed and he sometimes lashed out or lost his temper.

The disorder is marked by a withdrawal from the outside world – it’s Greek root, autos, means “self.” Andrew’s coach at the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, Vince Fay, believes this might explain why he has recently seen a number of autistic youth show an interest in the sport.

“I’m no expert, all I can tell you is that they seem to thrive,” he said. “… Anyone who runs, you sort of go into your own world.”

Andrew says he likes that there’s not a lot of body contact in running. He often runs to school, has completed six half-marathons, and hopes to one day be a part of the University of Ottawa’s cross-country team.

OFSAA should determine athlete eligibility on more of a case-by-case basis, according to Jim Denison, director of the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre and a professor of physical education at the University of Alberta.

“They should have some leeway to evaluate cases as opposed to a blanket five-year rule,” he said. “I totally understand why they’re doing it, they’re trying to do their best to … create a fair advantage for everybody, so it’s a difficult situation.”

Andrew XC running Oct 2009

This Saturday's Races - Sporting Intentions Spring Run Off & Grande-Digue 15K

Sporting Intentions Spring Run Off
5K & 10K
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Start Time: 9:00 am
Registration: 8:00 am at Sporting Intentions, 614 North River Road (See Map)
Pre-registration is available at Sporting Intentions. If you pre-register, you will be entered in a draw for a new pair of running shoes!!
Fee: $10.00
Sponsor: Sporting Intentions
Fundraiser: PEI Heart & Stroke Foundation
Contact: Dawn Paynter - 388-7696 dawnpaynter@hotmail.com
Andrew Scott - 892-4713 andrew@sportingintentions.com
Course Description: Down North River Road to Belvedere, along the water to the park and back. Some hills
Course Map

Facebook Event Page

Spring Run Off 2010 ~*~ Spring Run Off 2009 ~*~ Spring Run Off 2008

Photos from the Sporting Intentions Spring Run Off 2008-2010

~*~

Also on this Saturday, across the Bridge
Sylvio's 6th annual 15K Grande-Digue Run

Full details HERE & HERE

Summerside man takes 10km Bunny Hop crown

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/2011-04-24/article-2452072/Summerside-man-takes-10km-Bunny-Hop-crown/1

Summerside man takes 10km

Bunny Hop crown

Published on April 24, 2011

Connor McGuire of Summerside was the first runner to hit the finish line in the 10-kilometre event of the Source for Sports Bunny Hop here Saturday.

McGuire, 19, finished in a time of 33 minutes 22 seconds (33:22).

Second-place finisher Mike MacKinnon, 37, was 20 seconds off the pace, and Billy MacDonald, 24, was third in 34:43. Scott Clark, 47, who had a time of 35:22, and Gaetan Dallaire, 32, rounded out the top five. Dallaire’s time was 37:06.

Rebecca Pike, 25, was the top-finishing female. She was 21st overall in 41:53.

A total of 130 runners took part.

Five-kilometre run

Rick Lehman, 25, won the five-kilometre race in 19:15. Tyler Sellar, 19, finished five seconds behind Lehman.

Hannah Walker, 21, was the first female to finish, third overall, in 19:26.

Rebecca Walker was fourth overall in 19:56 while Kristy Newson, 36, rounded out the top five with a time of 20:10.

The 5K run attracted 139 participants.

The next P.E.I. RoadRunners Club race is the Sporting Intentions 5K and 10K on Saturday. Registration at Sporting Intentions, 614 North River Road, is at 8 a.m., with the runs beginning at 9 a.m.

Poirier has sights set on Gambia

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1239864.html

Poirier has sights set on Gambia Nurse plans gruelling run across West African nation to raise money for education and health programs By LAURA FRASER Staff Reporter Sat, Apr 23 - 4:54 AM Erin Poirier runs in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax. Poirier plans a 17- day run across The Gambia, a total of 430 kilometres, to raise money for the Nova Scotia Gambia Association which provides health and educational support for the African nation. (Ted Pritchard / Staff) ERIN POIRIER remembers running down a Gambian beach four years ago, her back salted from the ocean and the blistering heat of the African sun. Right now, Poirier is in the middle of her longest-ever training cycle, for the longest race she has ever run. She plans to cross Gambia in 17 days, covering more than a half-marathon each morning as the humidity starts its climb to more than 40 C. "My goal is to be ready to start running the second the sun’s in the sky," says the nurse and long-distance runner. "I’m telling myself that hot yoga is going to get me ready for the heat of the Gambia." The global recession and the size of the western African nation combined to give birth to Poirier’s idea. The Gambia River bisects the country, with a road running along either side for more than 400 kilometres. Poirier decided the distance between the Gambian border town of Basse Santa Su and the coastal city of Banjul could be manageable to run. She hopes to raise at least $20,000. "It kind of came out of the Nova Scotia Gambia Association’s desperate financial picture," said Poirier, a board member for the group. "(Over) the last two years, like lots of Canadian charities, our donations and fundraising has been down." Poirier, 30, got hooked on running in high school when her basketball coach forced the team to include it in their workouts. Then, they had to run about 10 kilometres each week. But to prepare for the Boston and Scotiabank Blue Nose marathons, and Gambia, Poirier has been running more than 85 kilometres about every six days. Poirier caught bronchitis during Week 19 of training and still logged 52 kilometres — eight more than the week she got hit by a car and nine less than the week she recovered from the crash. Poirier visits a chiropractor once a week to fix any damage she has inflicted on her body. And she has enlisted a sports nutritionist to make sure she fills herself with the right fuel. She is built like a whippet, more skinny than strong, and can burn a significant number of calories during a long run. "Eating has been an important part of this training cycle. I’ve been piling food into my body like I’m never going to eat again," she says, laughing. Poirier will arrive in Gambia during the rainy season, when the humidity will be at its peak and tropical storms are a threat. She will start running at dawn to stay cooler. She says she would begin earlier, but streetlights are a rarity along the unpaved road. The heat will likely lengthen Poirier’s running time to three hours instead of her usual two. For the rest of her day, she and her support team plan to visit some of the schools she worked with during the summer of 2007. Poirier spent that summer teaching small groups of children about how to reduce their risk of getting HIV-AIDS and malaria. Local actors hired by the Nova Scotia Gambia Association then taught the students how to best deliver the information to their peers. "Theatre is very important to Gambian culture (and) it’s an oral culture, so history is passed down through theatre and storytelling," Poirier said. When she returned from Africa, Poirier decided she wanted to continue her work in Nova Scotia. She became a board member with the association and took a job at Prince Andrew High School in Dartmouth, where she runs a youth health centre. In the spring and fall, she also coaches the cross-country and track teams. Some of Poirier’s student runners will join her Love4Gambia charity team in the Blue Nose marathon. She has raised about 75 members and $6,000, but is still recruiting. After the Blue Nose marathon, all her focus will be on Gambia, she says. Once she gets there, Poirier says her job is to focus solely on the run. Her friend Ashley Sharpe, an emergency nurse, will deal with any obstacles, especially those with scales or a forked tongue. Hippopotamuses, snakes, lizards or crocodiles could conceivably get in Poirier’s way during the more rural part of the journey, she says. It is one of the only things she doesn’t like to picture. Instead, she will think about the beach in Banjul, knowing that she will be running closer to the ocean’s balm with every step. Poirier’s blog, www.love4gambia.com, has more information about the run, her Blue Nose charity team and how to donate. ( lfraser@herald.ca)

2011 Source for Sports Bunny Hop - A 10Km Personal Best!

It was sunny and 7 degrees.

The Source for Sports Bunny Hop at Source for Sports.

The 10km course on Kirkwood Drive, North River Rd, Capital Drive and Lewis Point.

Connor McGuire won the 10Km race and Rebecca Pike for the top female.

I finished in 40:26 and beat my 10km personal best, the 2004 Wally Rodd (40:58).

Rick Lehman won the 5Km race and Hannah Walker for the top female.

My boss's daughter Julia ran her first 5Km race.

Em & Julia

Official Result: 15th out of 130
10K in 40 minutes, 26 seconds

5Km Results ~*~ 10Km Results

Photos

2010 Bunny Hop ~*~2009 Bunny Hop ~*~2008 Bunny Hop ~*~2007 Bunny Hop
2006 Bunny Hop ~*~2005 Bunny Hop

Bunny Hop Photos 2005-2011


http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/2011-04-23/article-2450592/A-hill-by-any-other-name-is-still-a-hill/1

A hill by any other name is still a hill

Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

Source for Sports Bunny Hop

Published on April 23, 2011

There is a hill just west of the Queens Arms corner on the Trans Canada Highway in Charlottetown that has been the near downfall of many runners over the years. It was known simply as the Wandlyn Hill to runners as far back as the 1970s when an motel of the same name was located part way up the hill. That motel is gone, but to many runners of a certain age the hill is still the Wandlyn Hill and Saturday during the Source for Sports Spring Bunny Hop the hill once again played havoc with some runners. The event, with is the unofficial start of the spring road run season, attracted more than 200 runners for the 10 kilometre and five kilometre run.

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Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance, inclusion, awareness