Take Steps and Help Get Calgary Youth Off the Street
Join Strides and Support the Back Door Society!
Albertans live in a prosperous time, however, not everyone is sharing in the wealth. Join Strides on Sunday, October 28th, to support the Back Door Society’s “Steps Off the Street 5km Walk & Run”. The goal of this fun run & walk is to raise awareness about youth on the street and to support the Back Door Society.
The Back Door (www.thebackdoor.ca) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to assist young people exiting the street culture in becoming self-sufficient and engaged members of society, while also engaging members of the community as partners in this transition. Funds raised during the “Steps Off the Street Walk & Run” will be used to directly support this cause and benefit Calgary’s street youth.
The event kicks off on Sunday, October 28 at 10:00am, starting and finishing at the Alexandra Society Centre (922 – 9 Ave. SE in Inglewood) and follows a beautiful 5km route along city pathways near the Calgary Zoo. For more information and to register, please contact Strides (240-4656) or the Back Door (269-6658). Pledge forms are included in the race registrations.
When: Sunday, October 28th at 10:00am
Where: Alexandra Society Centre (922 – 9 Ave. SE in Inglewood)
Register in person at Strides or the Back Door.
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A New World Record In The Men's Marathon
Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie solidified his position as one of greatest distance runners of all time on September 30th, running an incredible 2:04.26 at the Berlin Marathon, breaking the world record by 29 seconds. To put the time into perspective, Gebrselassie ran 26 consecutive 4 minute and 45 second miles, on average or just over 20 kilometres an hour.
The previous world record of 2:04.55, set in 2003 by Kenya’s Paul Tergat, also at the Berlin Marathon, was viewed by many as the greatest running achievement of all time, as he was the first person to dip under the long elusive 2:05 barrier. In his post-race interview, new world record holder Gebrselassie explained that he held back towards the finish, not wanting to break the record by too much, as there will be a $4 million bonus for breaking a world record at the Qatar Marathon in spring 2008, his next marathon.
At a press conference the next day, Gebrselassie stated that he feels he could one day run 2:03, but believes that eventually someone will run under 2 hours for the marathon. Now that would be an even more incredible achievement!!!
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Fastest Marathon Ever Run on Canadian Streets
The same day that Haile Gebrselassie obliterated the World record in the marathon, perfect marathoning conditions led Kenya’s John Kelai to a 2:09.30 clocking at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which now stands as the fastest time ever run on Canadian soil. In a thrilling duel with the defending champion, Daniel Rono of Kenya, Kelai eclipsed the mark of 2:09.55, set by East Germany's Waldemar Cierpinski at the 1976 Olympic Marathon in Montreal – a record that had stood for 31 years.
The women’s race was won by Ethiopia's Asha Gigi, who led from start to finish, setting a new course record of 2:33.16. Last year's winner and former course record-holder, Malgorzata Sobanska, was second in 2:34.21.
The top Canadian men’s finisher was Vancouver’s Jerry Ziak, in his marathon debut, clocking a Canadian leading time of 2:17.23, good for 11th place overall. Calgary’s own Lisa Harvey was the top Canadian woman, finishing in 2:48.47, while Janelle Morrison, a newcomer to Calgary, was the second Canadian in 2:49.38. Overall, they placed 9th and 10th respectively in the women’s race.
On an interesting note, Toronto’s Michal "The Joggler" Kapral reclaimed his world record in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, running 2:50.09, while juggling 3 beanbags – and apparently chewing gum - throughout the entire 42.2km race! While this doesn’t count as an official ‘World record’, it will be entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest "joggling" marathon ever. “The Joggler” shaved over two minutes off the previous best.
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U of C Dino Cross-country Team Off To Strong Start
The University of Calgary Cross-country teams returned to Calgary after solid showings in their first race of the season. Competing at the U of S Open in Saskatoon last weekend, the Dinos women’s team continued where they left off last year – a 5th place team finish at the Canadian InterUniversity Sports (CIS) Cross-country Championships – winning the meet handily over 2nd place U of Alberta. The men’s team also performed strongly, placing 2nd out of 5 teams, behind the U of Manitoba Bisons.
The Dinos women were led by Heather Sim, finishing in 2nd place, while last year’s CIS Champion and Calgary native, Geoff Kerr, won the men’s race.
Next up the Dinos compete in Washington State, followed by the Stewart Cup (Alberta Cross-country Championships) on October 27th in Edmonton. The Stewart Cup is run each year to honour the memory of brothers Gerry and Brian Stewart, members of the Universities of Calgary and Alberta Cross-country and track & field teams respectively, who perished while climbing Mt. Elbrus in Russia in 2003. Both brothers were very well respected members of their teams and it is with heavy hearts that they are remembered each year by the race dedicated to their memory.
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