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Three Cottagers Survive Boston Marathon By Neil Longhurst Extremely hot 30˚C temperatures for the 2004 Boston Marathon turned the race into a survival test for the three 
Chandos Lake cottagers (and the 18,000 other runners) who ran the 42.2km
race on April 19. Neil Longhurst, Paul Popovich, and Peter Gorham were
all happy just to finish in the second hottest of 108 years of the marathon.The Boston Marathon, the only one requiring entrants to achieve a tough qualifying time at a previous marathon, is considered the most prestigious in the world. Normal Boston temperatures would be ideal, 10-15˚C; this year was comparable to a hot and humid Apsley midsummer day. All three area runners trained last summer for their qualifying races with the Apsley Sunday Run group, and while the local hills helped on the hilly Boston course, there was no dealing with the weather. This year, Neil Longhurst celebrated his 55th birthday at his second Boston Marathon. In the heat, he set his early pace for a 3 hour 50 minute finish. However, he was further slowed by heat-related “intestinal problems” (euphemistically speaking) from mile 14, and a leg cramp at mile 24 stopped him dead for a few minutes on the downhills following the famous Heartbreak Hill. He finished in 4:01, far off his original target 3:30and personal best 3:23. Paul Popovich ran his third marathon in 6 months at his first Boston. After narrowly missing a 3:30 qualifying time at the Wineglass Marathon in New York state in October, he qualified with a 3:28 at the inaugural Rock and Roll Phoenix Marathon in January. After a good first half in Boston, he slowed to a 4:09 finish. Peter Gorham had qualified for his first Boston Marathon with a 3:28 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon last fall, At Boston, he knew the weather would prevent a requalifying time of 3:30, so he attempted to pace sister Alison (from Toronto) to a 4-hour requalifying standard. Although they reached halfway in 2 hours almost exactly, the heat and hills took their toll between 25k and 30k, as Peter slowed to a 4:19 finish, with Alison farther behind. Even after this difficult race, the runners are not planning to shy away from Boston in future. While plans are not yet certain, both Paul and Peter have qualifying times good for Boston 2005, and Neil will go after a new qualifying time in a fall 2004 marathon. All are back in training, and will join other Apsley-area runners starting June 27th. The Sunday runs start from the Apsley IGA at 7:30am. The distance is set each Sunday by the participants. All paces and fitness levels are accommodated by setting up loops that return to the IGA after 5k, 8k, 10k or longer, and with faster runners looping back to the slower ones to ensure no one is left behind. Look for planned run (and race) details on the IGA bulletin board, or call Neil Longhurst at 656-4065 for more details. And if you see a group of lunatic runners w-a-a-a-y out in the country on Sunday mornings – wave, it’s just the marathoners on another 20 mile training run! |
North Kawartha Public
Library and Lifetime Learning Centre by Katie Maitland Jackson A remarkable community resource right on your doorstep, your North Kawartha Public Library and Lifelong Learning Centre offers a wide 
variety of fiction, non-fiction, books-on-tape, videos and magazines.
Keep in touch with family and friends (or the office) in our 10 computer CAP
site offering high speed Internet access and a variety of desktop programs
for all ages. We also offer scanning, faxing, printing, CD or DVD burning,
and computer design services. We have reprinted the book A Loon Calls:
A History of the Township of Chandos by Jean Murray Cole, and have them available
for purchase for $20.00. There are many special events and programs
taking place throughout the spring and summer…Monthly Lecture Series “Invasive Marine Species” presented by Francine MacDonald of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Thursday, June 17, 7:00 pm, Apsley Library, Admission $4.00 “Canada Weekend” Book Sale July 2, 10:00-4:00 July 3, 10:00-2:00 Apsley Library Front Lawn TD Summer Reading (& Craft) Program “Dragons, Books, and Quests” For children aged 6-13, six consecutive Wednesday mornings, July 7-August 11. Join us for a blazing good time! Pre-registration is required. Call 656-4333 to register. Community Skills Inventory Project One more month to fill in a Community Skills Survey! Complete a survey, help your community, and enter to win one of many great prizes, including a digital camera! Second Annual “Links for Literacy” Golf Classic Taking place on Saturday, July 24th at Marvel Rapids Golf Course (656-GOLF). Get a hole-in-one on the 7th hole and win a 2004 Buick Century courtesy of Boyer Pontiac Buick! Entrance fee is $55.00/person and includes BBQ dinner and entry into lots of great contests. Hours of Operation: Tuesday 10-4 Wednesday 12-8 Friday 10-4 Saturday 10-2 For more information on any of these programs or services, please call 656-4333, 656-4958, or email library@northkawartha.on.ca. Hope to see you soon! |