MINDEMOYA—Competitors and their cheering squads may have huddled under the shelter of the government dock gazebo from the torrential downpour that began as 16th Mindemoya Classic organizer Andre Leblanc and friends gave instructions on this year’s course, but once the starting signal sounded, there was no holding them back.
This year’s overall winner winner was Tehkummah’s Alex Anstice, who was competing on his own.
The Mindemoya Classic covers an ambitious course that includes a 5.5 kilometre run, a three kilometre paddle (by canoe or kayak) and a 13-mile bicycle course. In completing all three legs of the course solo, Mr. Anstice set a record. Second place went to Guy Rocheleau at 1:23 with Mike Banks coming in third barely 10 seconds behind.
Mr. Leblanc reported that the next fastest division was the family category where the Thomas’s Tomatothons consisting of Steve Redmond, Zoe Redmond, Matthew Redmond and Peter Ford who finished with a time of 1:16. The Maple Grovers, that is Lindsay Moreau-Verlan, Hillary Byck, Tim Verlan and Logan Williams, were close behind as were the Waterview Otters team of Xavier, Chris and Xavier Mara and Margit Alberti.
The Cruisin Canucks, that’s James Scott and Ben Quackenbush, were first in the Pairs Relay division with a time of 1:17 and Girls Just Wanna Have Run, aka Shannon McGale and Sarah Quackenbush, came second.
In the relay fours the El Pascado Loco team of Brian Doan, Heather Thomson, Dave Caine and Ray Corbiere were first in a time of 1:25. Quite an accomplishment as Mr. Corbiere was in his first competition riding a brand new bike and both he and Mr. Caine were drafted literally at the 11th hour to fill their teams. The Flightless Birds family team of Jon, Annie, Mya and Jonah Balfe came in second.
In the Endurance Pairs’ section Annie Nanowski and Paul Guenette won with a time of 1:28 and the Cream Puffs, that is, Greg Bond and Denise Brady, came in second, while third place went to the Your Pace or Mine team of Chantal Paquet and Paul Norman.
“This event would not have stuck around for its 16 years if it were not for many volunteers,” noted Mr. Leblanc in his Chips and Quips column tribute last week. “Chi-miigwetch to Verna and Peter Tallman, Dayne Tipper, Murray Haner, David Johnson, Larry and Corinne Leblanc, and Hailey and Liam Leblanc.”
Mr. Leblanc noted that not only was the Manitoulin Classic an outstanding success, but Manitoulin Pet Rescue also made $378 through their barbecue at the event. Winners all around.
