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Coast News, April 1985
March went out like the proverbial lion last Sunday but the cold, gusting wind and fierce cold showers did not dampen the spirits of the 49 participants in the 8th Annual April Fool's Day Run.
This year the Coast News Challenge Cup was won by a contestant from Winnipeg. Glen Chilton was visiting family in Sechelt and led from beginning to end despite a determined challenge by last year's winner, Steve Miles of Sechelt.
There was some satisfaction left for Steve, however, in that the Winnipeg runner was six seconds off the record pace that won the event last year.
Most runners are content to keep their own pace in the April Fool's Day Run and the cheers for the last runner in, Elaine Gant, this year, are just as sincere and just as heart-warming as the cheers which greet the winner.
Make no mistake, however, for the boys up front and one or two in the pack the competitive fires burn strongly. Offered a choice of water or an orange at the Roberts Creek comfort station, Miles declined either with a terse “I want him”, and gestured at the runner just ahead.
As the runners and friends waited for the field to come in at the Sechelt Cenotaph, Irene Lugsdin told Dr. Stan Lubin: “It felt good to pass you.”
Irene was the winner of the first Master Lady Award, given to the first lady finisher over 35. Irene has just joined that group. Ricki Ferguson was first lady finisher.* Barry Janyk of West Sechelt was the third-place finisher.
Other finishers of note were David Mah, aged 12, who finished strongly for the second straight year. The oldest runner was Arne Tveit-Pettersen, 54, and Lyn Christian was the first participant over 40 to finish.
Below are the finishers, with their times of completion:
*This must have been printed in error, because according to the results below, Yolunda Heinen was the first female finisher!