Thunder Fun Runners!
Congratulations to the enthusiastic running and hockey supporters who made it to the finish lines of the annual Mindemoya Thunder Fun Runs this past Sunday!
In the 2K race here were the following division winners: In the 7 and under girls: in 1st – Mya Balfe, 2nd – Kaci Lariviere, 3rd – Brinley Watson. In the boys: coming in 1st was Jack Bridgeman, 2nd – Rylan Carrick, 3rd – Thomas Redmond.
In the 8 – 12 girls’ division: 1st – Annie Balfe – 2K first overall girl – 10:36, 2nd – Hailey McGillis-Prior and 3rd – Sadie Bridgeman. Boys: 1st – Chase Becks – 2K first overall boy – 10:32 2nd – Liam Lariviere, 3rd – Tyler Leeson.
In the 13 – 18 division, Trinity Leeson took 1st in the girls while Tina Balfe and Christa King took the 1 – 2 position in the over – 19 class!
In the longer, five kilometre excursion, Delaney Bridgeman was the first overall female taking the girls’ 8 – 12 in only 24:56, while brother, Liam Bridgeman just edged her with a 24:19 to take ‘first overall in the race’.
In the other divisions, congratulations to girls 13 – 18 winner Jary White and boys’ 13 – 18 Matthew Redmond who brought home the hardware.
Organizers awarded special recognition to Tyler Leeson for having the most pledge money earned. As well they were thankful to the parents of the 23 runners for their bake sale goods, Amanda Gibbons and Angie Moggy for organizing; Steve Redmond for BBQ-ing, Marie Ford for pylon set – up and course safety; Sue White for registration; Lori Leeson for running the bake sale; Erin Smith for registration and set-up; Ethan Smith for donating BBQ supplies, as well as Adam Smith and Jake’s Home Centre for the use of the BBQ and the portable shelters.
Wiky Road Race!
Sunday, October 18 is the 43rd annual running of the Wiky Road Race! This venerable “middle distance” race is one of the most sought after competitions in the entire north. It annually attracts more participants from many big-city runs from North Bay through Sudbury, right to Sault Ste. Marie.
Once again, the 10 km Slower Runner Division for beginner runners and walkers is sponsored by the Wikwemikong Health Centre Diabetes Program and it starts at 10 am in Kaboni.
The 10km championship run starts at 10:50 am, with registration going from 8:30 to 9:30 am at Wasse Abin Pontiac School. The entry fee is still just $20 for adults and $10 for students and it includes a t-shirt and a great chance at some fabulous prizes. There is a shuttle service available to get runners up to the start line. It is a great event; why not give it a try. For more information call (705) 859-3164
Ramsey Tour
Congratulations to a couple of “Island runners” for running the recent Ramsey Tour (21km) half marathon. Greg Sutherland is still using those ‘deer legs’ to put in some amazing races! Sutherland finished 7th overall in a zippy 1:34. Just seven minutes behind him was Mary Mitchell who wore out many shoes on Manitoulin roads during her running infancy. She was the 4th overall woman in just 1:45. Nice going, guys!
Laurentian University Elementary School Cross-Country Challenge
As this annual, early season, cross country race, as Randy Pascal (of Sudburysports.com) puts it), “those from ‘away’ (from outside the city proper) seemed most motivated to make their lengthy trek worthwhile, as visitors to Sudbury captured more than their fair share of races!”
Most notably was the trend set early, as Birch Island resident Avery Sutherland, the sole participant representing Shawanosowe School, took first place in the Junior Girls “Blue” Race, posting a time of 7:49 over the 1.9 kilometre course! So that is nearly 14. 6 km/h! I dare any of us reading this to take on that sort of pace and survive. Great job, Avery!
The next elementary school race takes place tomorrow, October 8 at the Rainbow Ridge golf course in Manitowaning for the annual Wikwemikong Invitational. The event usually draws competitors from all six Island schools as well as often school from Webwood, Massey and even Six Nations schools from the Brantford area! It is always an amazingly unique experience to see so much young talent in one place, not likely in any other race this fall, why not try and come on out?
Espanola Indoor Soccer
Heads up for the unique autumnal opportunity for your child to take advantage of Canada’s most popular participatory sport: soccer! I know, most of Canada screams “hockey” or even “lacrosse,” but for the last number of years more Canadian kids have been enrolled in organized soccer leagues than any other sport in the nation! So, here is an early season opportunity for your young, “footballer”!
The Manitoulin Registration is on October 13 from 6 to 8 pm at the NEMI Public Library in Little Current. The Espanola registration meanwhile goes from October 13 to the 15 from 6 to 8 pm at the Espanola Recreation Complex.
This new opportunity is open to participants ages 9 – 16 and fees are just: U9 – U12 – $85 and the older U13 – U16 are only $95! The action begins the week of Monday, October 19th at the Espanola High School. More information contact: Mark Volpini (705) 368-1714 or volpinm@rainbowschools.ca.
A good sport is good for sports
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