There were 185 participants – 77 in the 10km run and 108 in the 5km run/walk – for the annual Chase the Tornado event in Grand Valley on May 22.
There was a large participation by local youth with 38 – including 15 boys and 23 girls as they competed as school teams.
The Grand Valley Gators defended their win in 2015 but lost to the new champions Island Lake Lakers who accepted the trophy which will be proudly displayed in their school. A close second was shown by the Parkinson Panthers.
Forty youngsters were clearly thrilled to “compete” in the Kids’ Fun Run sponsored by local Realtor Grace Franco-Lloyd.
At 10am, the runners were off through downtown Grand Valley.
Just 20 minutes and 17.8 seconds later Nick Hann of Orangeville crossed the finish line completing 5km.
Nick is raising money for Cystic Fibrosis by running 82.12 km from Orangeville to Toronto, then running up the CN tower on Oct. 22. The furthest race he has run is 100 km Ultra marathon so he is well prepared.
Nick was followed by Ken de Jong and next 11-year-old Jack Gillies.
Ryan Kruizenga, who has raced and placed every year in the 10km, finished at 37:27.5, short of the course record of 34:25 set by Cody Beals, of Fergus, in 2014. He was followed by Fernando Carvalho and Ryan Ridler who amazed us all by placing third at his inaugural race.
Heather Pady beat her own course record from 2012 with a time of 41:32.8. She has won the Canadian Cross Triathlon Championships for the last three years in a row. Claire Couper and Jen Mazenauer took the next two spots.
All 185 finishers received a custom medal originally designed by local Grand Valley artist Julie Van Alstine.
Post-race celebrations included lunch and smoothies provided by the Pita Pit Orangeville and hotdogs donated by Grand Valley Food Town. Overall winners received a race shirt and a pick of prizes donated by local businesses. Age group winners were recognized with a prize going to the winner.
Money raised at the event will be gifted back to Upper Grand Trailway Association, Grand Valley Minor Hockey Association and Run Dufferin’s ongoing project to “get kids active”.
Join us for the fifth annual Chase the Tornado 10km and 5km run/walk same time next year.
