After a one-year absence, the Loop the Lakes trail running event made its return and despite lousy weather, 89 athletes took on the course in Alice Lake Provincial Park.
Race organizer Jen Segger was happy with how the 2011 event turned out on Sunday (Sept. 18), but hopes to build it into something even more special in the years to come.
"I was really pleased overall, especially with the turnout considering the weather we had," she said. "I had anticipated more people but the rain definitely affects things. Other than that everything went super smooth and I was really excited to get the event up and going again."
Segger said runners liked the fact that they could choose from two different lengths.
"They seemed to loved the route," she said. "There were a few trails, especially on the 15-kilometre race, that people don't typically run."
Brackendale resident Gordon Hunt, who posted the fastest time in the 15 km race, agreed with Segger.
"It's a beautiful course and the trails were in great condition," he said. "There's a pretty big climb early on but I bike these trails all the time so I think that helped me out a bit."
Hunt completed the course in one hour, one minute, 18 seconds, beating out 麻豆社国产resident Dwayne Kress by five minutes, 30 seconds. Lisa Smart posted the fastest time for females, 1:17:14. Jenny Brymer placed second, finishing 4:02 behind Smart.
Roger Shirt, who clocked in at a time of 32:14 beat out second-place finisher Phil Pyatt by four minutes and 28 seconds, winning the 8 km race. The top female time went to Stephanie Pawluk, who edged out Stacy McDougall by 47 seconds.
In addition to the two competitive races, a strongly attended kids' race saw youngsters dash 1 km around the lake. Segger said the kids' race will definitely be back next year.
"I think all the kids had a really good time," she said. "I hope we can double or even triple the number of kids for next year."
She admitted that she stayed fairly close to what the race looked like in the past but hopes to see the event grow as soon as next year.
"I didn't want to see the event die so I just thought if I could get it up and going this year we could try and go as close as possible to what they've done in the past," she said. "Now I have a year to focus on the race and make it what I envision it to be in the future."
Segger said she plans to move the date of the event up, possibly to late May or early June, and also wants to add a half-marathon race to the event.
"One of the main requests I heard from people was that they wanted some trail running clinics leading up to the race," she said. "But in the summer people are gone and travelling so I think if we move it up a bit we can prepare people more and up the turnout."
She also gave thanks to the race volunteers and the generous spirit of the runners, who helped raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation, as well as the 麻豆社国产emergency programs and the 麻豆社国产Titans athletic club.
For full results from the event, visit www.challengebychoice.ca.
