Marathon a Thanksgiving tradition for Yukoners
As usual, Sunday’s Victoria Marathon had a strong Yukon flavour.
By Marcel Vander Wier on October 16, 2014
As usual, Sunday’s Victoria Marathon had a strong Yukon flavour.
Around 100 runners from the territory took to the streets of the B.C. capital for the 35th annual run, held in cool conditions.
Several Whitehorse residents played starring roles, including Lindsay Carson, the female eight-kilometre champion (27:15).
Also starring in the eight-km run, young up-and-comer Sammy Mather was first in the boys 12-and-under division, while Kate Mason and Dahlia Lapointe finished third and fifth in the girls category.
Meanwhile, Logan Roots (1:11:32) finished second in the men’s 20 to 24 age group in the half marathon, while Logan Boehmer was fourth (1:16:52).
As for the full marathon, Michael Kulachkosky was the top Whitehorse finisher (3:14:39), good for 107th overall. He was followed by Joel Macht (3:24:36) and Amelia Fraser (3:27:17).
The marathon is a relatively flat race, and serves as a good qualifying event for runners looking to compete in Boston.
In the past, Yukoners have gathered post-race for drinks at the Sticky Wicket Pub, but long-time event organizer Richard Zral said that didn’t happen this year.
Zral finished the half a solid third in his category of men age 70 to 74.
“It was an excellent experience,” he said. “It was the perfect day for a run. It’s a really good course to run ... you can just zip right along on it. We always did it as a bit of a family thing.”
As has become tradition, Air North chartered a flight from Whitehorse to Victoria for the long weekend.
“This is my 59th marathon,” said Joanne Van Bibber-Widrig, seventh in the women’s 55 to 59 division for the full marathon.
“It’s an easy one to always go back to. It’s a good time of year and a great first marathon for those who haven’t run one before.
“I think it’s good just because so many other Yukoners go. It’s like Old Home Week where the Yukoners party.”
This time, she ran after raising $1,500 for charity with Team Ross and Finn. The squad, a group of local runners raising funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) research, collected $41,130 – the highest amount collected of all charity teams competing in Victoria, said team member Nathalie Dugas.
Yukon brothers Ross and Finn Beaulieu were diagnosed with the degenerative genetic disorder more than a decade ago. DMD results in a progressive loss of muscle strength, with patients typically living into their late 20s.
In total, nearly 10,000 participants ran in one of the day’s events.
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