NEWS & RELEASES >> 2006
Apr 2/06 - Women's course record broken in 29th April Fool's Run
Mar 27/06 - Prize money doubled for 2006 Fool's Run
Mar 20/06 - April Fool's Run numbers continue to climb
Mar 6/06 - Regular fee deadline approaching for April Fool's Run - last chance to save!
Jan 16/06 - April Fool's Run early registration double...
Jan 2/06 - Get Ready to Run!
Women's course record broken in 29th April Fool's Run
Photos by Duane Robert Burnett
April 2, 2006, Sunshine Coast BC — Katrina Driver of Vancouver smashed the women's course record by 3 minutes at the 29th annual Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run on Sunday, April 2nd, presented by Coast Cable Communications Ltd. The overall race was won by Vancouver's Graeme Wilson who was second last year. Each picked up $300 for their efforts.
Driver's time of 1:20:02 was outstanding for the undulating point to point course. The previous women's record was set in 2005 by Cindy O'Krane. The hills were a welcome challenge for Driver, who has won a number of trail races in the past 2 years, and was first female at the 2001 Royal Victoria Marathon.
For most of the race Driver stuck with Coquitlam's Nancy Tinari—until the Davis Bay hill at 11 miles where Driver was finally able to pull ahead and lead to the finish. "I really enjoy the variation in the course and hill challenges," remarked Driver. "The course still manages to be fast and fun!"
Tinari finished in 1:20:41 after having to double back after running past the turn into the finish, losing about 10 seconds. Being second female and top female master (40+) earned her a cool $200. Taking third overall and $100 with another strong performance was Vancouver's Sheila Mullins (1:23:56).
On the men's side, Wilson's race was much more of a solo effort. "Kevin (O'Connor), Steve Mattina and I were running together for about the first three miles, and we were going at a pretty good clip," recalled Wilson. "Steve dropped back just before the three mile point, and Kevin dropped back shortly thereafter—and we were all on our own after that."
Coming to the race was a last-minute decision for Wilson, even though he enjoyed the event in 2005: "I have a newborn, so I felt a little guilty leaving the family unit for too long," he explained. It turned out to be the right decision, as he cut more than 3 minutes off his 2005 time. He attributes that to training with the Vancouver Falcons Athletic Club and coach John Hill since November. The warmer, drier weather with a tailwind this year helped too.
O'Connor had a tough time after going through the first 5k about 20 seconds faster than his most recent 5k race. He continued on at a slower pace for second overall in 1:14:49. "That was one of the hardest courses I've run, and I've run a few in my time!!" noted O'Connor. "The last half especially was tough."
Mattina maintained his third place position to finish in 1:16:21, which was his best time on this course by over a minute. The Running Room store manager was 4th in 2004 and 2005 and 2nd in 2003.
First male master was Isha Murphy of North Vancouver in 1:25:20, barely ahead of Richard Cawkwell of Calgary (1:25:26).
Roberts Creek teenager Shaun Stephens-Whale, age 16, was hoping to run under 1:20 this year, having won the George Matthews Memorial Award for first local finisher in 2005. He more than achieved his goal, knocking nearly 8 minutes off last year's time with a superb 1:18:26, good for 5th overall.
The first local woman was also ranked 5th overall. Melissa Braithwaite of Granthams, who has won the women's division outright in the past, earned top local honours this year by running 1:26:01. This put her over four minutes ahead of 2004 & 2005 local winner Crystal Spence, who beat her own personal best by nearly four minutes.
Other notable performances by local runners were Paul Wright's 1:26:34 (16th) and Martin Prestage's 1:27:43 (18th); Liz Dilasser's 1:51:07 to win the women's 60-64 division by an enormous margin of 13 minutes; and Arne Tveit-Pettersen's 2:28:59 which blew away the rest of the men's 70+ field.
The top teams in both the 2-person and 4-person relays were from the Richmond Kajaks Track and Field Club—all masters runners. The first local relay team was made up of 4 enthusiastic Gibsons teens: "Team GOmez".
The Corporate Team Challenge was won by Howe Sound Pharmacy with 50% (5) of their employees going the distance in the walking division.
A total of 532 runners and walkers registered for the 2006 event, up slightly from last year's 509. The final vote is not yet in for the winner of the neighbourhood challenge, but all enjoyed the crowd support along the route this year, especially in Roberts Creek where Kiel and Talia Strang played their fiddles at Beach and Marlene, and in Davis Bay where spectators did a great job of encouraging the runners up the hill.
Check the website at www.foolsrun.com for full race results, photos and final results of the neighbourhood challenge. Next year's race will be the 30th anniversary on April 1st!
For immediate release: Monday, March 27, 2006
Prize money doubled for 2006 Fool's Run
March 27/06 — The 29th Annual Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, presented by Coast Cable Communications Ltd, is all set to go this Sunday April 2nd, with over 470 participants signed up to run and walk from Gibsons to Sechelt. Another 50-75 registrations are expected by race day. The main race gets underway at 9:00am on Payne Road, with walkers and 3hr+ runners heading off earlier, at 7:30am. A reminder that this weekend is the start of Daylight Savings so don't forget to set your clocks on Saturday night!
Late registration and packet pickup takes place on Saturday from 2-5pm at the Cedars Inn in Gibsons, and on race morning from 7:45 to 8:45am in Unit 119 at Gibsons Park Plaza. There is also a Friday packet pickup option from noon to 6pm at the Denman Street Running Room, for off-Coast residents only.
Leading runners to look for include Vancouver's Kevin O'Connor, past winner of the Timex BC Road Running Series who expects to run close to 1hr 12min; and one of Canada's top female masters, Nancy Tinari of Coquitlam, who at age 46 is often the first overall female in a race. Tinari has run in the 1hr 18min range in the past year. Also going for the cash will be Sheila Mullins of Vancouver, who has a 1hr 21min half to her credit.
The prize purse has been doubled this year so more earnings are on the line for the top competitors: $300 for first male and female, $150 for second, $100 for third; and $50 to the top male and female masters (40+).
Good luck to all participants!
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For immediate release: Monday, March 20, 2006
April Fool's Run numbers continue to climb
March 20/06 — More than 440 runners have now signed up for the 29th Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, set for Sunday April 2nd. Nearly 60 of those are on relay teams while the rest will run the entire 13.1 miles from Gibsons to Sechelt.
Vancouver's Kevin O'Connor, a long-time competitive road racer and past Timex Series winner, is confirmed for the elite men's field. Top local finisher for the past 2 years, Shaun Stephens-Whale, will be running again to defend his title and set a new personal best. "Under 1:20 would be nice," said Shaun at a recent training session.
Organizers challenge residents along the route to be the best neighbourhood cheering section! A post-race survey will ask the runners to name their favourite section of the route for crowd support, so get out your ghetto-blasters, pom-poms, drums etc. on April 2nd and make some noise as the runners go by! First runners will arrive in the heart of the Creek at approximately 9:25am, at Wilson Creek Plaza at about 9:40, Davis Bay at about 9:53, and at the Raven's Cry (finish) at about 10:10am.
Performing at the post-race brunch and awards ceremony will be the Sunshine Coast's own traditional and contemporary Celtic group Fiona Dhu, with Diana Halter on harp and vocals. Sweet Adelines chapter Arbutus Sounds Chorus will also perform a set in a capella 4-part harmony.
Online registration is open until midnight Tuesday March 28 - see www.foolsrun.com. Entries can also be dropped off at the Medicine Shoppe in Wilson Creek up to Thursday March 30. Race weekend registration is available 2-5pm at the Cedars Inn, and on race morning at Gibsons Park Plaza, 7:15 to 8:45am.
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For immediate release: Monday, March 6, 2006
Regular fee deadline approaching for April Fool's Run — last chance to save!
March 6/06 — Over 325 runners have now registered for the 29th Annual Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, and a surge in entries is expected as the March 15 regular fee deadline approaches.
More out-of-province runners have registered this year, with a total of 25 non-BC entrants including 12 Albertans, 3 from the Yukon and 3 from the Northwest Territories. There is even an entrant from Mexico. Of the local entries, Gibsons and Sechelt are nearly tied at 30 and 31 registrations.
Local businesses with 4 or more employees take note: take the Corporate Challenge to be recognized as the business with the highest participation rate — counting total entrants in the half marathon, 2-person relay and 4-person relay. After registering for the race, email info@foolsrun.com or call 604-885-8849 to declare your corporate team.
Women's race shirts are now sold out and only a few unisex sizes are left, so if you want a souvenir shirt, sign up ASAP. Also note, post-race brunch tickets must be ordered no later than March 19. Draw prizes are awarded only to those attending the awards ceremony, and you'll be hungry after the run, so you might as well get the brunch!
Another way to get a T-shirt is to volunteer. Sign-up to be part of the crew at www.foolsrun.com or call 604-885-8849. You'll get a free brunch, too!
Register online at www.foolsrun.com. For those without internet access, paper entry forms are available at sponsor locations, or ask a friend to print a form from the website.
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For immediate release: Monday, January 16, 2006
April Fool's Run early registration double compared to last year
Gibsons, BC — Early registration numbers for the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run are more than twice the 2005 total for the same date, with 175 sign-ups as of January 16. This year's half marathon and relay are set for Sunday April 2nd — the 29th annual footrace from Gibsons to Sechelt.
The individual half marathon is capped at 600 entrants. Runners from all over Canada, plus a few from the US, have signed up early to ensure a spot.
Not only are participants coming from many towns throughout BC, the demographics include runners from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario — and a group from England has booked Up the Creek B&B for race weekend, all of whom will be entering the run.
The local training clinic numbers are also way up, with 33 participants compared to 22 in 2005.
Don't miss your chance to participate in this celebration of fitness and endurance! Register online or print an entry form at www.foolsrun.com or call 604-885-8849 for more information.
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For immediate release: Monday, January 2, 2006
Get Ready to Run!
Prepare for your first half marathon or your best half marathon on April 2nd.
This year's April Fool's Run Half Marathon Training Clinic starts this weekend, Saturday January 7th at 9:00am at Trail Bay Source for Sports in Sechelt.
All levels are welcome, from novice to advanced runners.
The only pre-requisite: you must be able to run easily for 30 minutes. Fee for the 12-week program is just $60 and includes race registration for the April Fool's Run and souvenir technical T-shirt. Clinic-only fee is $25, or drop-in at $3 per session.
Clinic runs from Sechelt, Roberts Creek and Gibsons in a monthly rotation. To register, show up at the first or second session at Trail Bay Source for Sports, or call 604-885-8849.
Also, a reminder that the early registration deadline for the half marathon and relay is January 15th - enter by this date to save $$! Entries are up 50% over numbers at this time last year, with more than 65 sign-ups so far. Registrations have come in from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Washington State, as well as the majority from BC.
Visit www.foolsrun.com for online registration and printable entry form.
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