|
by Neil Longhurst
One hundred nineteen runners and walkers from age
23 months to 70 years joined the Apsley Lakers runners for the first annual
North Kawartha Health Centre Run and Walk on a cool morning, Saturday August
13th. The event raised over $2,500 for the Health Centre Capital Fund.
The 5k Run and Walk started first with 99 runners
and walkers on a two-loop course from the community centre and along McFadden
Road. Zack Habtemichael of Peterborough, in his first race in several
years, won the 5k in a remarkably fast time of 16:30. Zack, 21, has
been in Canada for two years after leaving his native Eritrea amid civil
strife in 2001. He spent some time in the US before coming to Canada,
competing in high school and putting up a personal best 15:36 in the 5k.
He will attend and compete for Trent University in the fall. Phil Robson,
a 16-year-old high school runner from Windsor, was second overall, more than
a minute behind, but winning his 16-&-Under age group by almost three
minutes. Gwyn Pociluyko of Goodwood won women’s overall in 20:55, just
ahead of Kathy Cameron of Georgetown. Women’s age group winners were
Jillian Thatcher of Peterborough in 16 & Under, Chris Robson (Phil’s
mother) in 40-49, Pat Thomas of Uxbridge in 50-59, and Suzanne Quartermain
of Anstruther Lake in 60+. Men’s age group winners were James McGarvie
(Peterborough) in 40-49, Norm Lockington of Burlington in 50-59, and Dick
Crawford of Lakefield in 60+.
This race was the “graduation ceremony” for some runners who had attended major sponsor Peterborough Running Room’s “Learn-to-Run” clinic. In addition to boosting the race entrants, Running Room provided the start and finish line set-up, gift certificate prizes. Paul Popovich’s DDC Sports provided all t-shirts, featuring a unique design by Debi Fitzgerald. Paul, who jogged the race with his daughter rather than running all-out, was tapering for the Canadian Ironman in Penticton on August 28th. Ambrose Moran’s “smart car” was the lead car for the race. The Township Roads and Park and Rec. Departments supported run preparations, and a number of Apsley businesses provided door prizes and other support; all costs were covered by sponsor donations. |
First Annual Health Centre Run continued... The 1k Kids Run, with 20 entrants, featured a very close finish with 9-year old Dylan O’Reilly edging out first girl 7-year old Mackenzie Cameron for first overall. All thoroughly enjoyed the race, including the final finishers, 3-year old Luke and 23-month (!) Eden Kilgour of Westbank BC – who were absolutely delighted with their prize ribbons presented by Reeve Jim Whelan. All-in-all, an ideal day – nice weather, great exercise (and competition if one wanted), food and socializing after, with a great group of active people , and money raised for the Health Centre on top of it all – what more could one want! The Apsley Lakers thank all the volunteers from the Health Centre committee and the sponsors who made it possible. The race will return next year! 
"They're Off" Runners start the 5k run at Apsley Community Center. Photo by Jim O’Shhea 
Reeve Jim Whelan presents a ribbon to the youngest runner Eden Kilgour, 23 months old Photo by Jim O’Shea |