The Running Record
I tried to find out if any local runners ran the Boston Marathon last week but came up empty. If you made the 26.2-mile (42km) trek from Hopkinton to Boston, please let me know!
During my search I contacted Mindemoya ex-pat, and elite athlete, Evan Bayer. If Evan is in a running, cycling, power lifting or who knows what competition, there is a good chance he will be on the podium! Evan is now a high school phys ed teacher and athletic director in Calgary.
Although he has been just a bit busy with a newborn, he and his wife Agatha ran the ‘First Half’ half marathon in Vancouver in February.
Touted as the fastest half in Canada, even Evan found it “super competitive.” The race was so competitive that runner Cam Levins broke the Canadian half marathon record. Evan still ran the 21.1 km in 1:14 and ended up 45th out of nearly 1,900 runners and third in his age division! Agatha for her part ran a smashing 1:33!
Evan is hoping to continue competing but is suffering a bad strain from a few weeks ago so he is now, “impatiently cross training.” Best of luck in that, Dad!
Local golf phenom in training!
With Mindemoya’s Brookwood Brae opening three weeks early this year, Noah Thorpe is busy prepping for the upcoming season. Noah, who literally grew up on the course, will compete in the NJGT (Northeastern Junior Golf Tour).
The Manitoulin Secondary School student is slated to play in seven tour tournaments as well as a few other off-tour events. Keep up the good work, and best of luck, Noah!
NAIG Bound!
Congratulations to Brooke Gibeault who was selected for Indigenous Team Ontario’s Basketball Team for this summer’s North American Indigenous Games. All your hard work has paid off, Brooke!
Junior curlers rock!
The Province Bay Curling Club held their Junior Curling wind-up funspiel on March 25. They had 33 kids that participated throughout the season, starting in early November.
They gave out the following awards at the spiel: Hit-Draw-Tap Competition (held earlier in the season): Ages 6-8: First Alice McIntosh, Second Tommy Joyce, Third Laura Lynn Cooper.
Ages 9-10: First Everest Symons, Second Shawn MacKelvie, Third David Cooper.
Ages 11-13: First Devon MacKelvie, Second Eric Wahl, Third (tie) Lexi Fisher and Spencer Johnston.
Most Improved awards went to: Age 8 and under, Tommy Joyce, Age 9-10, William Quinn, Age 11+, Liam McLean.
The winning team for the Wind-Up Funspiel was the foursome featuring Parker Johnston, Shawn MacKelvie, Nico Long and Charlie Orford.
Amethyst Curling Camp Bursaries went to Devon MacKelvie and Spencer Johnston.
Other curlers not already mentioned who also had a great season were: Joshua Joyce, Tessa McAllister, Benjamin McCutcheon, Lennon Smith, Harmony Symons, Lucie Long, Rose Duguay, Beau Corbiere, Sarah Joyce, Shane Cranston, Oliver Symons, Delilah Symons, Cordelia McLean, Lila Fisher, David Joyce, John McLean, Silva Verboom and Josiah Wilton.
Save the date!
August 12 has been set by the Manitoulin Cycling Club’s fourth annual Bay to Bay ride! Check out the group on the Facebook!
Active Assiginack!
Have a look at all the fun to be had in Manitowaning. To start, the Township is hosting a fun activity to get people off the couch at least! The Manitoulin Bake off starts Friday, April 28! Kids soccer is underway with record high numbers. Badminton and pickleball will start Monday nights in May in the arena. It is a free drop-in with equipment provided if you need it. Softball for kids starts in May with the dates set for their youth ball tournament, August 11-13. This year they have added an older age division and registration is now open.
To make sure your child gets in on all this fun contact Jackie White, Assiginack’s super active events coordinator at jwhite@assiginack.ca.
On another active note, Manitowaning Minor Hockey held its annual banquet and recognized the following top association awards.
Hudson Roque took home the Best Defense plaque. Alexei Pelletier won as the Best Forward while Arabella Otosquaiob was awarded the Best Goalie trophy!
Zumba opportunity!
Kellie Robinson has newly minted her dance enterprise as Manitoulin Island Zumba! Her classes are currently on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.
Kellie hosts all the fun at Vitality Health and Fitness, just outside of Mindemoya heading west at 6404 Highway 542. Her cell number is 705-863-1324 for any additional information.
A good sport is good for sports!
chipstoquips@gmail.com
