It’s no joke, 7 of the top 10 in the Fool’s Run!

It must be good prep to help out at our own races (hint, hint). A day after hosting the Spring Classic 5K, VFAC runners, including indefatigable race director and prez Matt Fedoruk, totally dominated the field of almost 500 in the April Fool’s Run Half Marathon on the Sunshine Coast. In very cool but partly sunny conditions, Matt led the field out of Gibson’s down to the first mile in 5:05, the $50 preem thus won unfortunately fooling him about the real finish line 12+ miles on ;). After a serious dose of lactic acid, he settled into 6th behind Graeme Wilson, Simon Driver, Stan Jang, Paul Krochak and new member Shaun Stephens-Whale. Graeme steadily pulled away to run his second half marathon PB in as many weeks (no, don’t try this at home either!), winning ($300) in 1:10:45. Simon also ran solo most of the way to a 1:12:25 PB for second and $150, while Paul moved past Jang into third around halfway and pulled away to a 1:14:12 PB and $100. But it was Katrina Driver who stole the entire show, smartly pacing to move into fifth overall with a huge 2 min PB and VFAC record 1:18:29! It was her 3rd PB and second VFAC record in 3 weeks, and also her well-earned 2nd straight $300 payday. Behind her, Shaun and Matt held on with respectable 1:19:10 and 1:20:06 6th (1st under 20) and 7th place (2nd 30-34) overall finishes. Joel Werner, on the comeback trail rounded out the top ten (3rd 30-34) in 1:22:37. But, we weren’t done yet as Chris Brandt, also on a PB roll, knocked about a minute off to finish 11th (3rd 35-39) in 1:23:29. Natalie Closs was 6th female overall and 2nd 35-39 in 1:30:39, followed by Kirsty Siemens, who also won $50 as first female master in 1:31:34, and Sue Werner with a big 2 minute PB of 1:32:55 to win the 30-34. Trudi Jackson rounded out the top 10 woman and placed 3rd in the 30-34 with a 1:34:54. Imelda Wong ran a respectable 1:53:24 after a long lay off. They won’t get fooled again!! (sorry, couldn’t resist) Weekend PS When are these multiple race weekends going to abate…. I’m getting writer’s cramp. But, alas, we still had enough racers to go around. In our Spring Classic 5K, Guy Smith won the 50-54 in 17:44, Nicola Everton won the female Masters in 19:58, new member Laura DeMunain was right behind, winning the 35-39 in 19:59, Katherine Moore PB’ed in 20:02, Rhys Howard ran 21:24, Sharon Emslie won the 45-49 in 21:44, Bonnie Kramer opened her season with a 22:21, and Lilian Wong won the 55-59 in 23:03. Finally, in the Mission Spring Ahead on Sunday, Dave Palma won the very hilly 1/2 Marathon in 1:21:35 and Shu Sanantini placed 2nd in the 40-44 in 1:28:09, while Bob Wade started his season with a solid 18:56 in the 5K. Done! (my apologies if I missed anyone)