March 20, 2000 Report

MARCH 20, 2000 RUNNING REPORT

 

STEVE BOYD - STILL LEARNING

Steve Boyd has been competing on the roads for quite a long time. He demonstrated an example of his longevity in February when he won the Gatorade Peterborough Half-Marathon in Peterborough, ON in 1:07:07. His win there came 17 years after his first win in Peterborough in 1983 at the age of 20. In between those performances, Boyd has raced at a high level consistently. For example, Boyd fondly recalls his crowning as the 1993 Canadian 10K Road Race Championship. In the race that was televised on national television, Steve battled a tough field that included Olympian John Halvorsen. In 1997, Boyd again repeated as the Canadian Road Race Champion beating out the likes of Chris Weber.

Apart from the road, Steve runs on the track and was the 1998 10,000m National Champion when the race was held in Montreal. Though he dabbles on the track once in a while, Steve is a true roadrunner with his favourite distance being the 10K. He races at other distances though and succeeds just as well. This year, he recently placed 3rd at the Naples Florida Half-Marathon in a time of 1:04:46. He won the event two years ago. His best times on the road are a 13:46 for the 5K, a 28:29 for the 10K and a 63:36 for the half-marathon.

Steve attributes his longevity on the road to his love for training. Everyday he goes out and does his hour of training, no matter what the elements throw at him. His base-line training of 10-11 miles per day allows him to quickly ramp up and get race ready within 4-6 weeks. Steve trains mostly alone and though it makes it more difficult to get out the doors on some dreary days, he believes that it makes him a better runner. He realises that in a race, even though he competes against others, he runs alone with himself and his pain. A high pain threshold is one of the characteristics that make Steve Boyd so successful.

A friend of Steve recounted how last year, Boyd participated in a local event near Kingston, ON, the place where he grew up and where his parents still live. On a hot July weekend, Steve blew the field wide open by winning this 10K event in a time of 30:37. This was over 3 minutes faster than second place. Boyd was obviously not content to simply win; he pushed himself to do the best he could on that day.

Steve mentions that throughout his years of running, it has often taken him a few attempts before getting a certain race right. He learns from his performances and improves on them. Learning is obviously a strength for him as he is presently completing his Ph.D. at York University in Social and Political Sciences and plans on finishing this year. Once he gets his degree, he might seriously consider "retiring" from high level racing and concentrate on his professional and family life. He has a wife and two children.

His retirement from the running scene is not assured though as Boyd still has one more thing to learn about - the marathon. Steve has only competed in a couple of marathons, none successfully yet. In 1996, he attempted the Columbus Marathon in Ohio, but the cold and windy conditions prevented him from completing the race to satisfaction. Last year, Boyd attempted the Chicago Marathon. Someone following the race would have noticed that by the halfway mark, Steve was basically on track to qualify for the Olympics. Unfortunately, Steve knew otherwise. From the start gun, Steve knew it was not going to be his day. He had been sick 3-4 days prior to the race, and by the 2nd mile he was feeling off. He hung on till past 13 miles, then dropped out. He would probably have dropped out earlier, but he could not find a ride to get back to the finish line.

Boyd is now training for a Spring Marathon. With the expected prize money at the National Capital Marathon, Boyd is thinking of racing in Ottawa in May. In preparation, he is running between 90-100 miles per week. His training cycle is based on 2 weeks that incorporates an 18-20 mile run and a 20-21 mile run. He also does weekly intervals of 5-7 x 1000m with 1-2 minutes rest. Steve believes that this is the training that will put him in shape to perform well in his next marathon.

Based on his tradition of needing a few attempts to learn how to do it right, once Steve Boyd gets it right in the Marathon, he just might stick around and race a little longer on the roads.

 

WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP

Each year, some of the world's best runners congregate to test their speed, strength and endurance in what is probably the most competitive races on earth. Athletes come from various background (i.e. road, track, cross-country) to participate in the IAAF World Cross-Country Championship. This year, the Championship was held in Vilamoura, Portugal on March 18 and 19th. Over 80 countries participated making this the largest cross-country championship ever.

Contrary to most international running event, Canada sent a full team to these Championships. Some of Canada's best competed in the various races. Financially, only athletes competing in the 4K race were supported. Everyone else had to pay their own way. The prestige and experience of racing against the best in the world motivates Canada's top runners to train and make the financial and time sacrifices in order to compete. Each and everyone of them deserves our recognition for representing Canada. Following in the results of our Canadian athletes.

Junior

Male 8K

 

Female 6K

 

91. Ryan Hayden

26:15

15. Carol Henry

21:36

93. Simon Bairu

26:16

52. Cindy Durocher

22:49

103. Andrew Alley

26:33

53. Nikki Reckman

22:54

110. Brandon Young

26:42

64. Emily Kroshus

23:12

117. Michael Thorson Cleve

26:55

79. Michelle Carson

23:38

145. William Thrift

28:55

80. Emilie Mondor

23:38

Open 4 K

Female

 

Male

 

41. Leah Pells

13:44

25. Kevin Sullivan

11:51

56. Sarah Dillabaugh

13:51

54. Sean Kaley

12:04

64. Karen Harvey-Sullivan

13:55

72. Joel Bourgeois

12:12

65. Heather deGeest

13:55

98. Jeremy Deere

12:35

74. Sarah Dupre

14:08

107. Richard Tremain

12:43

84. Nathalie Côté

14:19

131. Matthew Kerr

13:11

Senior

Male 12K

 

Female 8K

 

90. Faizal Emamaullee

38:50

42. Tina Connelly

27:59

98. Steven Lawrence

39:10

58. Deborah Buhlers

28:38

116. Scott MacDonald

40:03

75. Sherri Smith

29:26

122. David Milne

40:12

84. Judith Leroy

30:17

 

 

85. Lisa Harvey

30:47

 

 

 

 

 

BEDFORD HALF-MARATHON

Isabelle Ledroit placed 2nd in a time of 1:15:43 in this half-marathon in Bedford, MA held on March 19. Michel Brochu finished 3rd in a time of 1:11:04.

 

2000 BEIJING WOMEN'S EKIDEN

Ekiden races are very popular in Asia. These races which are basically relay races involve the transfer of a satchel between runners. This year, Canada sent a women's team in this Chinese race. Canada finished 8th in this Marathon distance run. Some of Canada's best road runners were competing:

Sarah Dupre - 5K - 16:08 (6th)

Sherri Smith - 10K - 35:23 (11th)

Heather deGeest - 5K - 16:17 (4th)

Cari Rampersad - 10K - 35:58 (13th)

Patricia Kuntz - 5K - 16:52 (11th)

Isabelle Ledroit - 7.2K - 26:14 (8th)

 

JONES WINS IN NEWARK

Tania Jones followed up on her strong performances in the Houston and Austin marathon by winning the Newark Distance Classic 20K in New Jersey on March 5th in a time of 1:13:02.

 

EMAMAULLEE TOPS FIELD IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Faizal Emamaullee won the Carolina First Reedy River Run 10K in Greenville, SC on March 4th in a time of 29:50.

 

CANADIANS DO WELL IN THE DEEP SOUTH

A bunch of Canadians went South on February 20th to compete in the Motorola Austin Marathon in Texas and came back with high placings. The top Canadian was Kim Webb who placed 3rd in the female category in a time of 2:38:00. This is the leading performance of the year. Sandy Jacobsen placed 7th in a time of 2:41:39. Tania Jones, competing in her second marathon this year placed 10th in a time of 2:51:13. Another top Canadian was Sandra Yaworski who placed 12th in a time of 2:55:11. In the men's race, two Canadians placed in the top 10 Masters. Rick Mannen placed 8th in 2:34:31 and Peter Campisi placed 9th in 2:34:42.

 

LOS ANGELES MARATHON

This race, held on March 5th, often attract Canadian seeking warmer temperatures. This year, Ivan Gomez made the trek to Califormia to race and finished 11th overall in a time of 2:28:12.

 

RESULTS

February 20 - Colonial Half-Marathon, US

Lois Medal came in second in the Southern race in a time of 1:23:40.

 

February 20 - Peterborough Half-Marathon, Peterborough, ON

Half-Marathon

Male

 

Female

 

1. Steve Boyd

1:07:07

Leslie Carson

1:18:56

2. Fraser Bertram

1:07:42

Nicole Stevenson

1:21:59

3. Manual Salvati

1:07:46

May Allison

1:22:28

4. Harry Welten

1:12:19

Laura Konantz

1:24:11

5. Rick Hellard

1:12:32

Colleen Hopkins

1:26:16

Masters

 

 

 

1. Harry Welten

1:12:19

Laura Konantz

1:24:11

5 KM

Male

 

Female

 

Ian Reid

16:18

Krestena Sullivan

17:22

 

March 5 - Grimsby Half-Marathon, Grimsby, ON

Female

 

Male

 

1. Margaret Watson

1:25:59

Guy Schultz

1:05:47

2. Lesley Grice

1:26:03

Shane Lavell

1:06:51

3. Martie Dunning

1:26:45

John Cress

1:11:18

4. Karen MacKenzie

1:26:47

Dan Major

1:11:41

5. Barb Muise

1:26:57

Curtis Desroches

1:11:53

Masters

 

 

 

1. Karen MacKenzie

1:26:47

Rick Mannen

1:12:52

5 KM

Female

 

Male

 

Tereza Macel

18:44

Rob Tyndale

16:20

 

March 5 - Comox Valley Half-Marathon, Vancouver

Male

 

Female

 

1. Paddy McCluskey

1:08:32

Marian de Monye

1:29:40

2. Neil Holm

1:08:35

Tasha Sawatsky

1:30:54

3. David Matte

1:09:44

Sheron Chrysler

1;31:02

4. Rob Harnworth

1:11:13

Sheila Dorman

1:31:30

5. Alex Coffin

1:12:18

Susan Williams

1:31:32

Masters

 

 

 

1. Keith Wakelin

1:18:30

Sheron Chrysler

1:31:34

 

March 5 - Burlington Half Marathon, Burlington, ON

Female

 

Male

 

1. Karen Cowling

1:25:15

Rory Sneyd

1:11:17

2. Jennifer Cooper

1:28:01

Mark Vollmer

1:14:42

3. Sally John

1:28:15

Carlos Numes

1:18:09

Masters

 

 

 

1. Sally John

1:28:15

Jim van Buskirk

1:19:38

5 KM

Female

 

Male

 

1. Carol Henry

16:42

Jason Chrichton

16:41

 

March 5 - NetNation 5K, Vancouver

Female

 

Male

 

1. Carol Montgomery

16:09

Mark Bomba

14:47

2. Lisa Harvey

16:39

Peter Cardle

14:58

3. Cari Rampersad

16:54

Matt Johnson

15:09

Masters

 

 

 

1. Leslie Black

19:05

Art Boileau

16:06

 

March 5 - Frozen Nose & Toes 10K, Calgary

Female

 

Male

 

1. Maria Zambrano

36:33

Kelvin Broad

35:07

 

March 5 - Napa Valley Marathon, Napa Valley, CA

Erik Seedhouse finished 4th overall in this California race in a time of 2:33:48.

 

March 11 - St. Patrick's Day Races, Ottawa

10 KM

Male

 

Female

 

1. Stephane Gamache

32:46

Robyn Dicesare

39:37

2. Rick Hellard

34:09

Jenny Sheffield

42:07

3. Chad Pawson

34:31

Susan Rodocanachi

42:11

5 KM

Male

 

Female

 

1. Christopher Bell

17:08

Sheila Kealey

18:23