History of the Race

Thirty years of history…and counting

Back in the late 1970's on the Sunshine Coast, George Matthews, 30-something English teacher with an aversion to regular exercise, loved to tease fellow writer Fran Berger about her weekly fitness column. One day he made the "mistake" of suggesting it would be no problem for him to run from Gibsons to Sechelt—without training. A delighted Berger accepted the challenge, seeing a race between the two as the perfect opportunity to prove the benefits of her fitness tips once and for all. They and 17 others set out on a 14 mile run together in 1978 and created the foundations for the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run.

Today, the tradition continues with runners making the trek from Gibsons to Sechelt every spring. The addition of the Relay division in the 1980's opened up the event to a wider range of ages and abilities, with its shorter distances.

George Matthews passed away in 2001 after battling cancer. To honour his memory in 2003 we introduced the George Matthews Memorial Trophy which is engraved with the names of the first local (Sunshine Coast) male and female finishers each year and displayed at Elphinstone High School where Matthews was head of the English department.

In 2003, with widespread promotion of the event, over 325 participants ran, walked, and relayed, including many who were first-time visitors to the Sunshine Coast. In 2004, those numbers swelled to 487 participants, then to 509 in 2005, and 532 in 2006.

In 2008, we invite you to run the 31st edition of our scenic event. Find out why so many folks said in 2007, "I loved this race—will be back next year with our friends!"

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Year by Year Stories and Results:

1978: The beginning

It all started with a challenge between George Matthews and Fran Berger (pictured above right finishing the first April Fool's Day Run in 1978). Nineteen runners started out on April 1st, 1978 from Gibsons, and thirteen arrived in Sechelt. The winner in 1:30 was a young Adrian Belshaw, then a zoology student at UBC living in Davis Bay. Read about the newspaper editor's "ringer" son who slept in and missed the start... he wasn't the only one! A pre-race party kept Fran Berger up a bit too late as well. See several photos and two newspaper articles from the 1978 race - including results!

1979: 38 finishers

The race triples in size, with thirty-eight finishers for the second annual April Fool's Day Run from Elphinstone Secondary to the Sechelt Cenotaph. Eric Hagedorn of Roberts Creek is the fastest this time in 1:22, with inaugural winner Adrian Belshaw taking second in 1:26, a four minute improvement over his first attempt. First woman is Patti Cawsey of Roberts Creek in the "splendid time" of 1:49. Read the story, see who had to kiss the winner, and check out the results! (Note that Belshaw hasn't changed his hair style since the late 70's!)

1981: Despite the rain

The fourth annual April Fool's Day Run is held on March 29th, 1981, on a cold and rainy Sunday morning, and despite the less-than-ideal conditions a new course record is set by Steven Brindle of Vancouver who finishes in 1:13. First woman is Chris Craigen of Vancouver in 1:34. Sixty-three runners start, with at least 10 from Vancouver who are "unanimous in their praise of the course and how much fun the event was, despite the rain." (sound familiar? echoes of 2003!) A five-mile run is also offered but only attracts three participants. Organizers make plans to advertise the 1982 run in B.C. Runner magazine to attract even more off-Coast entrants. See story, results and photos.

1982: Sunshine again

March 28th is the date for the fifth annual April Fool's Run, and just as in 2004, conditions are sunny and much more pleasant than the previous year. Relay teams are allowed for the first time. Thirty individual runners complete the distance plus 42 relayers. Michael Ryan is first in 1:25, "a shade slower" (?) than the 1981 winning time. Ricki Ferguson of Gibsons is the first woman across the line in 1:40. Story, results and photos.

1983: Everybody finishes

A small but enthusiastic group of 26 runners brave rain at the start, to find sunshine in Sechelt at the finish. All starters complete the course. Mike Metcalfe of Selma Park is the winner in 1:24:28, and first woman is Darcie Young, a grade 12 student at Chatelech, in 1:41:26. Story and results.

1984: "Biggest ever"

Well it wasn't really, despite the tagline of the newspaper story. Actually there were 69 participants, 49 of whom were individual half marathoners and the rest on relay teams - just shy of the 72 participant total of 1982. The winning time is close to the record set in 1981, with Sechelt's Steve Miles clocking 1:13:58. The field includes internationally-renowned ultra-marathoner Al Howie of Victoria (2nd in 1:19:53). The women's race is won by Vancouver's Josephine Boland (1:40:57). Story and results.

1989: Coldest on record

Fifty-five runners "challenge the elements" on a cold spring morning. Jim Verster of North Vancouver wins for the second straight year, in 1:21:15, calling the event "a great local race." Three Grunenberg brothers run: Perry, Ken and Craig, with Ken being the first local finisher. A local woman is also the first woman, Maureen Collins of Grantham's Landing, recording 1:50:31. Story and results.

1990: Brothers race

No story yet for this edition, but results show that Ken and Craig Grunenberg had a close battle for the win, with Craig prevailing by just 9 seconds in 1:25:17. Petra Nelson wins the women's competition in 1:50:51. Results.

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