Results & Photos

2008 Results & Photos

Results by Race Headquarters:

• Overall Results | Relays
• Age Groups | Relay Divisions
• Age Graded Men | Age Graded Women
• Sunshine Coast Residents
• Important note about results/times

• Race Story: New records set at April Fool's Run
• Media Release: Event Record Shattered at 31st Annual Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run

• Photos: Race Highlights by Duane Burnett
• Photos: Start/Finish by Ian Jacques, Coast Reporter
• Photos: Pasta Dinner by Teresa Nightingale
• Photos: Volunteers by Duane Burnett

New in 2008: Individual race photos by:

Sharper Images Photography was out on course taking pictures of AFR participants. You can search by bib number and order your images online — Ready now. A great memento of your race! Overlay option available (see sample at right — click to enlarge).

 

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April 6, 2008

New records set at April Fool's Run

HALF MARATHON
Story and Photos by Ian Jacques/Editor

The record books were re-written in the men's and women's divisions at the 31st annual April Fool's Run last Sunday. The top three men all finished under the old mark of 1:09:58 set in 2004.

Ryan Day of Richmond blazed through the course, finishing in a time of 1:06:23. Fellow First Nations runner Jason Terouche-Loutitt of New Westminster finished second in 1:07 flat, and Mark Bomba of Coquitlam completed the trio in 1:08:44.

Although he's never competed in the event before, Day is no stranger to the Sunshine Coast, as his dad was born and raised in Gibsons.

"I've been meaning to get up here for quite a few years and run this event — I'm glad I finally did," Day said. "It was a fair course, but because of the hills, it's not easy by any means. The weather brought out pretty good conditions for long distance running. The event was very well run. I was impressed. I will definitely come back."

On the women's side, Suzanne Evans of New Westminster shaved one second off the women's record set last year by Katrina Driver, finishing in 1:18:30. Coming in second was top masters runner Joan McGrath of New Westminster clocking 1:22:10, and Susanne Russell of Vancouver took third in 1:23:08.

Evans, also a first time competitor at the event, said she was impressed by the organization, the volunteers and the course. "It feels pretty good to win this," Evans said. "It was the first time I've come up and it was great. I actually enjoyed the scenery. I know I wasn't supposed to, but it's beautiful. It was a good course and I will definitely come back. Overall the course was pretty fast and the rain held off, so all in all it was a good day."

Top masters male was Vancouver's Mark Bennett, who finished fifth overall in 1:17:15.

Top local runner was Owen Coombes of Sechelt with a terrific run of 1:23:46, taking nearly four minutes off his 2007 time. Coombes broke the three-year streak held by Shaun Stephens-Whale, who was absent this year. Sechelt's Crystal Spence repeated her winning ways with a 1:35:09 finish to get her name added to the George Matthews Memorial Trophy for the fourth time.

First relay team to finish was Double Trouble from Richmond in a speedy 1:21:43.

A total of 533 registered entrants took part in the event, which was two up from last year.

Race director Teresa Nightingale said overall she was happy with the event. She said there were a few logistical problems, but those were solved pretty quickly thanks to good cell phone communication and the hard work of all the volunteers. She said there might be a few slight course alterations next year to better accommodate traffic flow in Davis Bay, parking and the post-race awards.

"It's nice to have some new winners and new athletes coming here and enjoying the course," Nightingale said. "The times were fantastic. It shows we have a pretty fast course. The weather could have been a bit better, but you can't control that.

Overall I think everyone had a positive experience, and we're looking forward to next year."

For more on the race, including race photos, check out www.foolsrun.com.

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Important note about results/times:

We do not record net chip times in our event, only official gun times. Please wear your sports watch and use the chrono feature if you'd like to record your net time.

Gun Time is the official time.
All awards are based on GUN TIME – the time from the start of the race (gun) to when you cross the finish line as per IAAF, Athletics Canada, BC Athletics, USATF, AIMS and International Awards standards:

Excerpt from the IAAF Road Race Handbook - Pg 196 RULE 240
Note: For road races and road walking events, the official time will be the time elapsed between the start gun and the athlete reaching the finish line. However, if an athlete crosses the start line after the start gun, his time elapsed between the start and finish line can be made known to the athlete but will not be considered as official time. The order in which athletes reach the finish line will be considered as the official finish position. 196 RULE 240

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Post-Run Survey

Please take a few minutes after to complete our survey about the 2008 race. Your input will help us to make next year's April Fool's Run even better, and let us know if changes we made in 2008 worked out for you. And we always like to hear how you felt about the event! We may post your comments on this website.

April Fool's Run 2008 Participant Survey
Name (first & last)
City
Email
Phone
Please comment briefly on the following (new in 2008):
Start/packet pickup location:
Finish line & amenities:
Awards/food location and time:
Did you attend the pasta dinner on Saturday night? Yes No
If yes, please comment on the pasta dinner food and entertainment:
If no, please tell us why you didn't attend the dinner:
Where was your favourite neighbourhood along the course for cheering and support? (see map) Gibsons: on Highway at start Gibsons: on Pratt Road and Chaster Gibsons: on King and Veterans Gibsons: Highway to Lower Road Roberts Creek: on Lower Road Roberts Creek: on Beach Ave and Marlene Wilson Creek (after the big downhill, 12 mi) Davis Bay and finish
Regarding the above question, is there any particular location you would like to comment on?
Visitors only: (locals please skip to comment box)
Was this your first visit to the Sunshine Coast? Yes   No
Did you stay overnight? Yes   No
If yes, where did you stay?
Approximately how much did you spend on accommodation? (type 0 if none)
Approximately how much did you spend on food & misc.? (type 0 if none)
How many others accompanied you who were NOT participating in the race (family, friends)? (type 0 if none)
Do you plan on returning to the Sunshine Coast within the next 6 months as a result of this visit? Yes   No
All participants – General Comments & Feedback:

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Lost & Found 2008

Found:
iPod
Nike orange water bottle with Gleukos powder inside
Long-sleeve Peach City Tri shirt (royal blue)
Cream fleece zip neck top (Le Chateau)
Red short-sleeved Running Room tech shirt

Please contact us at 604-885-8849 or foolsrun@telus.net to claim or report.

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