Thursday, May 8, 2008

SAIT Trojans XC Coach Position

SAIT Trojans

SAIT Trojans cross-country coach Stephen Ames is looking for his replacement for this fall's season. I imagine it's because of his continuing commitment to the Calgary Spartans track & field club. I don't know what the qualifications are, but I imagine some coaching experience would be necessary. This doesn't look like a full-time job, and it might only be for this first semester since I don't think they have an indoor track team. But I really don't know. Stephen would know, and you can email him at d-coach@telus.net

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Outdoor Track, Five Peaks Starts Now, Mother's Day 10k

Tonight at Foothills Track, U of C


Weather permitting, there's an entertaining night of high school track this evening at the Foothills Track. This is the second half of the Dino High School Challenge, and a bunch of meet records were re-set on Thursday, May 1. There's 800 competitors lining up tonight to set some more records. The show starts at 5pm with an hour of hurdles and pole vaulting. Unlike the indoor track events in the winter there's a grandstand for seating and a wild noisy atmosphere.

At approximately 5:50 the 800 meter heats start, and at 7pm the 200 meter dash. The 3000m is set for around 8pm, with the last event, the boys 15 and under 3k starting at 9:10. While the running events are going on the track, on the field the pole vault starts at 5, along with the high jump, triple jump, shot put, discus and javelin. Hopefully the announcer will keep your eyes on the events that are reaching their critical points. That final jump. That third throw. There are no qualifying heats for each events, so every race is that kid's one shot at a medal, a provincial record, or a personal best.

There's a complete list of events on the Dino High School Challenge event page, and a list of competitors on the Entry List page. It's hard to tell from the entry list who the club kids are, but they're the ones training 4 or more times a week with the Spartans, the Calgary International, CalTAF, the Warriors, UCAC, etc., and they're the ones with the most reasonable shot at winning an event. If someone without a club affiliation places well in their event, you might see a club coach or two cruise by afterwards with some "congratulations" and invitations.

At around 8:20, Grace Kary is running the 3000m, and 15 minutes later Ciara Kary is running the same distance. In each race their might be a Mikaela Hannam who challenges the lead, but it also might be like the fall cross country series where Grace and Ciara led their races from the start and held on for a clear win. They'll be in orange ABE shirts. At 6:15 watch Mihai Prajea in the 800m, and again in the 200 m at 7:25. Gareth Hadfield is running the 800 at 6:40 and the 3000m at 9:10pm.

Five Peaks Sunridge, May 10


On Saturday the first Five Peaks trail race gets started near Sherwood Park, near Edmonton. This is a great 14k or 7k hilly course and a great alternative to running on sidewalks and pathways. Adjust your expectations if you've run a few good 10k times, because the difficulty of the terrain will set you back more than a few minutes. The race starts at 10am, and registration is still available for this and most of the races.

Mother's Day Run & Walk, May 11


Aside from the Calgary Marathon, this is probably the next biggest race in Calgary. There's a 5k and 10k and $1000 for first place, so expect the city's best road racers to show up for this one. Jeremy Deere is back to defend his long-standing reign as first on the podium, while Nathan Kendrick and Darcy Bell have a reasonable chance of upsetting. I'd also look at the guys who won the recent Calgary Police Half as solid contenders for this one. If Ciara Kary is running the 5k I'd put her down for a medal.

Results


Apr 20 - Tour de Airdrie, results
The third annual half marathon in Airdrie was won by Cochrane triathlete Joel Wilkinson in 1:33:40 for the men and Cheryl Melody in 1:40:26 for the women. Despite blowing snow and reduced visibility. Around 200 people made it out and finished the half marathon, 10k and 5k courses. Now if they could only change their name so it doesn't sound like a bike event.

Apr 26 - Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run 5k/12k, results
Almost 600 women were in Canmore for the 11k and 5.5 women's only courses, which is a great turnout for a debut race. Doesn't hurt that you're running in Canmore, which is a great running environment. If you don't have the Canmore Challenge or the Canmore Rocky Mountain Half Marathon on your list, then you should add this one in for next year. The 11k was won in 45:27 by elite Toronto marathoner Nicole Stevenson, followed by competitive nordic skiier Magi Scallion in 47:30 and Lynette Van Damme in 50:36.

calgary police half
Apr 27 - Calgary Police Half, results
The Calgary Police Half had almost perfect weather and no wind for once. 1900 people finished the half marathon, won by Scott Jensen in 1:13:56, followed by Graham Diehl in 1:15:10 and Travis Cummings in 1:15:50. The first female was Shari Boyle in 1:22:07, followed by Danelle Kabush in 1:25:44 and Erin Sask in 1:30:00. No results were kept for the 500 people who ran the 5k.


May 1 - Dino High School Challenge, results

If you're going to the second part of the Dino High School Challenge thie evening, you should pick through the results page from last Thursday, find the kids who ranked in their events, and watch them again tonight. Those are the front runners. Then look at tonight's entry list and pick out the kids from your high school and cheer them on. Bust out that old orange Centennial jacket you bought in 1990. It could be awesome.

Several meet records were set last Thursday : Danielle Kendall in the Girls 16 & under 400 m ran 59.07. Aviva Mulloy in the Girls 16 & Under High Jump tied Tara Dressler's 1.50 m. Nicki Barlow in the Girls 18 & Under 400m ran 59.69. Nikki Meyer in the Girls 18 & Under Long Jump posted 4.95m. Alex Fox in the Girls 18 & Under Discus Throw measured a 33.21m. Ryan Wilkes ran 11.61 in the Boys 15 & Under 100 m. Brandon Schmidt threw a Javelin 47.41m in the Boys 15 & Under category. Michael Barrett reached 3.60m in the Boys 16 & Under pole vault. Joel Dueck threw the javelin 50.70 for the Boys 16& Under record. Joel Mills reached 3.40m in the Boys 18 & Under pole vault.

And most are back for more. Daniell Kendall is running the 200m tonight at 7:15. Aviva Mulloy is trying the triple jump at 6:30. Nicki Barlow is running the 800m at 5:50. Nikki Meyer is in the triple jump at 6:30 and the 80 meter hurdles at 5:30. Alex Fox is shot putting at 7:30, and javelinning at 6:30. Ryan Wilkes is in the 200m at 8:00pm. Brandon Schmidt is in the triple jump at 7:00pm. Michael Barrett is triple jumping at 5:00pm. Joel Mills is high jumping at 7:30.

theatre calgary big run

May 3 - Big Run Theatre Calgary, results

This was a great morning for a run, and nice to get out on another part of the Bow pathway, with three race distances starting in Bowness Park. It was a tough and hilly course though, and the 10k route and half marathon both had to negotiate the Silver Springs hills. The half marathon was won by Anton Nel in 1:24:11, followed by Pauline McLean in 1:25:14. The 10k was won by Mike Mokievsky-Zubok in 43:36 and Julie Kemp in 44:51 won the women's event. The 5k was won by 60-something-year-old Barrie Dargie in 19:16, while the first female was Rachelle Dion in 24:20. This race replaces the Banff Calgary Relay Race that previously served as a long-standing, well-loved fundraiser for Theatre Calgary.



Coming Up, some local and national events



May 7 - Dino High School Challenge, 5pm-8:30pm, Foothills
May 10 - Five Peaks, Sunridge
May 11 - Mothers Day 10k
May 17 -18 Calgary Spring Challenge track
May 18 - Woody's RV Marathon, Red Deer
May 24 - Five Peaks COP
May 24 - Blackfoot Ultra
May 24 - Foothills Academy Walk Rock and Roll
May 24 - HS City Championships
May 25 - New Balance series 1 track meet
May 25 - Calgary Women's Run
May 25 - Ottawa Marathon
May 24 - Blackfoot Ultra
May 31 - pacekids Race for Pace, 5k/10k