Eight Cruisers including Jeff May ran the April Fool’s Annual Half Marathon Sunday, with some glory laud and honour abounding. The day was the best day of the year, with temperatures in the teens, lots of sun, providing perfect weather for the run. The route was similar to that of last year although the start was from the Gibsons Community and Recreation Centre. The route abounds in hills. The finish was at the Davis Bay beach, same place as the previous two years. Announcements, prizes and awards took place outdoors at the finish line, a change which was an improvement inasmuch as it was not necessary to go to a school or other place for the awards. Teresa and Larry Nightingale and their volunteers put together a great run and deserve congratulations for their efforts.
Kudos to Libby Covernton and Bill Spearman who hosted a dinner at the Covernton Roberts Creek family compound Saturday evening for those Cruisers who ventured over Saturday. Those who attended reported the evening was a great success. Bill Spearman I am told was the chef for the Sunday morning breakfast; juice, scrambled eggs, toast, bangers. He was also the equipment manager on Sunday – very much appreciated team position.
Gun time stats for the Cruisers are as follows:
Jeff May 1.50.18
Debra Nicol 1.57.00 5th in age group
Larry Kuhn 1.57.45
Rod Hargreaves 2.18.39 3rd place in age group
Libby Covernton 2.23.43 3rd place in age group
Bobtheolderchap 2.37.08 3rd in age group, of 5, contrary to the unfounded allegations of son Larry and likely Rob Stagg that the 3rd place was of a group of 2!
Laurie Hilborn 2.36 – according to Laurie’s watch
RA Edie Kernighan 2.40.26 – according to Edie’s watch
Total number of finishers, not counting the relay teams, 383, again, women outnumbered the males, 213 vs 170. Canadian women rock!
The third place finishers were presented with clay pottery small dishes resembling ashtrays of days gone by, crafted by a Sunshine Coast artisan; a nice touch by the Fool’s Run committee.
Summary: A wonderful day for all and a wonderful weekend for those who travelled to Gibsons Saturday and stayed overnight either in a B & B, the Covernton compound or at Laurie and Paul Hilborn’s place.
Zinfandel: Queen of Zinnie Tracyakamarybeth: Went bike riding on Saturday. We could’ve drank Zinfandel on Saturday evening if she’d only joined us. Our pre-race drink was Yellow Tail Merlot – Edie, Larry and Bill all brought the same wine. Great minds…….
Next event, a major one for Norman, the Diez Vistas 50 km Ultra on April 19th.