Wednesday, November 7, 2012

New York Marathon, Last Chance Half, Catch the Elves, more

I'll bet there were a lot of Calgarians heading to New York this past weekend for the legendary New York Marathon. Boston and New York are probably 1 and 2 in most people's race ambitions. Definitely in mine. So the cancellation with so little notice probably left a lot of people in the lurch, but when compared to the inconvenience of having your home slide into the ocean, or your business washed away, it has to be better than getting pelted with garbage while you're trying to complete 42 km. At some point the people of New York, who embrace this race with so much enthusiasm annually, felt they needed to focus on more urgent matters, like getting the power back on, having running water, and getting the city running again. It's hard to enjoy a party when you're climbing 30 stories to get water and you're basically living like a refugee in your home town.

Would the threats to block the course or the runners have actually been carried out? Or would some gratitude that these visitors came with their wallets open have been more expected? But why take the chance when you have so many people on the streets who rely so much on the goodwill of everyone in the crowd?

And how far do you postpone it? One week might not be enough, despite the promise that everyone will have power by last Saturday. Two or three weeks means runners will have time to go home and recharge and come back, or have time to sell their entries. If they come back in 2 weeks and the city is grateful then that delayed race will be magical for everyone. But if the city is still distressed... running a marathon through the five boroughs is a huge burden at the best of times.

So, what's coming up?

The Last Chance Half runs November 11, the last long race of the Calgary season. It's of course sold out, but you can try your luck posting online: http://www.runningroom.com/discussion/viewforum.php?f=14 or http://www.calgaryroadrunners.com/classifieds

Flaman Fitness has donated a treadmill as a $10 raffle prize for participants in the Calgary Sight Night Fun Run 8K, November 17th at 5:30pm. Entry in the race is $40, and online registration ends Nov 14 at 11:59pm. All proceed from the race go to the Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind.

On November 22 there are a couple of Thanksgiving themed racings in Montana that should be fun. Huffing for Stuffing in Bozeman drew 2500 people last year for their 5k and 10k races. The Turkey Day 8K in Missoula had about 500 people last year.

Catch the Elves is a 5k/8k race in the Bow River Valley, starting in Eau Claire November 24 at 10am. Entry in the race is $40 and proceeds from this race will benefit Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Also on November 24 you could run a 5k/10k race in Airdrie. The Genetic Jungle Run starts at 10am and runs in the East Lake Pathways. Registration is $45, and proceeds from this race will benefit the Alberta Children's Hospital Genetics Clinic.

And if you've been waiting for track season to start, on December  1 the Dino Opener indoor track competition has 60m sprints, 800m races, 3000m, 60m hurdles, and 4x200m relays. All ages are welcome. Entry is $10 per event, or $15 if you're not an Athletics Alberta member. Entry deadline is November 27. 

Results

Banff Winterstart, Nov 3 , 5 miles, attendance 1751
Fastest Men:
Oliver Hatheway 27:43
Travis Cummings 27:48
Jordan Bryden 28:22
Jonathan Roth 28:33
Scott Jensen 28:36
Fastest Women:
Rosemarie Gerspacher 31:41
Kathryn Waslen 33:03
Jessica Kaiser 33:14
Rebecca Roth 33:20
Dana Hansen 33:25

Edworthy XC, Nov 3, 7.5k
Fastest Men:
Trev Williams 28:59
Roberto Desandoli 29:56
Shaun Dowling 30:12
Lachlan Simpson 31:24
Bruce Dalton 31:33
Fastest Women:
Cat Young 34:27
Sheila Nykwist 35:53
Tomo Tsuchida 36:54
Adela Salt 38:15
Sarah Hughes 38:16

Edworthy XC, Nov 3, 4.9k
Fastest Men:
Jeremie Venne 24:21
Ian East 27:04
James Szorko 27:13
Fastest Women:
Maryse L'Heureux 23:35
Stephana CHerak 25:07
Kate Ukrainetz 30:23

Alberta Cross Country Championships, Oct 27
Mens 19 and under 8k
Adam Strueby 26:43
Davis Guenther 27:09
Roman Justinen 28:21

Womens 19 and under 5k
Avery Westberg 20:31
Gabrielle Edwards 20:56
Emma Cook-Clarke 21:05

Womens Open 5k
Jessica O'Connell 19:47
Grace Kary 19:53
Karisa LePage 20:07
Lisa Harvey 20:23
Jodi Sanguin 20:33

Mens Open 10k
Kelly Wiebe 30:49
Iain Fyfe 32:19
Matt Johnson 32:51
Brad Bickley 32:52
Matt Cloutier 32:56

Several Calgarians went to the Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon, November 3rd.
The race was won by Jesse Gibs in 2:31:38, followed by Dan Way in 2:36:27, and John Trojansek in 2:37:57. Calgarian Don King was fourth overall in 2:38:08.
Other Calgarians:
Jason Reed 2:51:28
Mark Marten 2:55:48
Jeff Kay 3:07:59
Morley Lee 3:20:55
Mark Duncan 3:23:55
Michael MacKay 3:24:06
Rustom Anklesaria 3:26:37
Carolyn Leonard 3:29:25
Wade McGowan 3:35:46
Emily Mills 3:36:31
John Sasso 3:47:18
Heidi Jones 3:47:19
Lara Pearce 4:12:48
Tiana Dawon 4:54:26