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1988 April Fools' Day Run


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Jim Verster of North Vancouver receives the Coast News Challenge Cup from publisher John Burnside at the conclusion of The Eleventh Annual April Fool's Day Run on Sunday, this year finishing at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall. Details of finishers, times, and trophies next week. (Click photo to see larger version.)

Coast News, April 18, 1988

60+ finishers

April Fool's Run Results

More than 60 runners streamed out of the Sunnycrest Mall on Sunday, April 10, to participate in the 11th Annual April Fool's Run from Gibsons to Sechelt.

First they had to circle the Mall since Sechelt Council had not approved the run ending at the Sechelt Cenotaph as it has for the past 10 years. The circle of the Mall was necessary so that the distance run would be the same as in previous years for the purpose of comparing times.

The Sechelt Indian Band graciously agreed that this year's run could end before the Indian Band Hall wich preserved the integrity of the distance run.

This year's run was won overall by Jim Verster of North Vancouver who finished in one hour, 22 minutes and 40 seconds. Jim was just three minutes behind the record time of three-time winner Glen Chilton of Winnipeg last year.

Besides winning the Coast News Challenge Cup, Jim took back to North Vancouver with him some Brookes [sic] shoes from B & D Sports and a chocolate bunny from Truffles.

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Brian Partridge and Dave Brackett help Rieta Hanson hold the trophies she won in last week's April Fool's Run. These three played significant organizational roles this year. Full list of prize winners below. — Vern Elliott photo

Notable amongst the other finishers was Arnie [sic] Pettersen of Gibsons who has competed for several years, each time vowing it would be his last.

Not this year though. Arnie, who donated a prize for the first local finisher, finished 23 minutes ahead of his best time ever and talks no more of retiring.

OPEN MEN'S
First - Jim Verster 1.21.40 - Coast News Cup; Brookes shoes, B & D Sports; chocolate bunny, Truffles.
Second - Ken Grunenberg 1.22.55 - Truffles chocolates.
Third - Gary Richter 1.24.04 - Truffles chocolates.

OPEN WOMEN'S
First - Rieta Hanson 1.40.56 - Coast News Cup; Resident Cup, Gibsons Travel; Brookes shoes, B & D Sports.
Second - Bev Neilson 1.46.55
Third - Val Ziggiotti 1.47.24

MASTER MEN'S
First - Ross Phillips 1.29.08 - Brookes shoes, B & D Sports.
Second - Rod Aylwin 1.30.24
Third - Cam MacKenzie 1.38.04

MASTER - WOMEN'S
First - Rieta Hanson 1.40.56 - Brookes track suit, B & D Sports.
Second - Bev Neilson 1.46.55

RELAY TEAM
First - Sunshine Coast Athletic Club 1.32.44 - 2 pizzas, Andy's Restaurant.
Second - Canfor
Third - Sunshine Coast Athletic Club.

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Entry form from 1988 (click to enlarge)

OVERALL MALE - Resident Of The Sunshine Coast
Ken Grunenberg

Female Resident
Rieta Hanson

DRAW PRIZES
Michael Metcalf - basket, Landing Hair Design; Emily Walker - socks, Richards; Gordon Van-Malligan - basket, Landing General Store; Mary Bland - Brookes T-shirt, B & D Sports; Andrea Bist - Brookes shoes, B & D Sports; Linda Steele - Brookes shorts, B & D Sports; Margaret Stevenson - game, Dockside Pharmacy; David Clipperton - Brookes bag, B & D Sports; Annette Mowbray - massage, Jaynie Molloy; Arne Tveit Petterson - Brookes shoes, B & D Sports; Ryan Lucas - map, Wishful Thinking; Cam MacKenzie - $25 gift certificate, Pharmasave Gibsons; Alison Denham - Brookes shorts, B & D Sports; Debby Hunter - lunch at Harbour Cafe; Pat Walker - Brookes T-shirt, B & D Sports; Paul Simpson - Brookes bag, B & D Sports.

Special thanks go out to the Sechelt Indian Band for the use of their park at the finish.

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Run organizers grateful

Letter to the Editor, April 18, 1988

Editor:
We would like to thank all the many people who made this year's April Fool's Run possible. It has become a very popular annual event, attracting people from all over B.C.

There have been many positive comments about the organization and good presentation of the run. None of this would have been possible without the many volunteers, businesses, sponsors and runners.

To all, we want you to know how much it is appreciated. Thank you for another great run, see you next year. Special thanks to:

B & D Sports, Brookes, Cam McKenzie, RJ's Exercise, Gibsons Travel, Sunshine Coast Agie, SuperValu, Sechelt Indian Band, Pharmasave, Harbour Cafe, Landing General Store, Landing Hair Design, Richard's Mens Wear, Dockside Pharmacy, Jaynie Molloy Massage, Wishful Thinking, All the water stop helpers, Jeff Collins, RCMP Traffic Control, St. John's Ambulance and The Coast News.
The Run Organizers

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First ever Fool's Run