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AUGUST 20, 2000 RUNNING REPORT

 

DIANE LEGARE – MULTIPLE CANADIAN RECORD HOLDER

When you see Diane L้gar้, it is difficult to imagine that such a charismatic and joyful person can be such a dedicated runner and fierce competitor, holding 18 Canadian age category records at various distances.  Ever since she turned 40 almost a decade ago, L้gar้ has been setting running records on the tracks and on the roads.  One does not reach such accomplishment without true dedication and love of the sport.

 

Diane started running in her late twenties in 1979 as an activity to do with her husband after the cross-country skiing season was over. Her immediate success and her continued success has kept her involved in the sport. As she kept training and her running fitness improved, she started placing higher and higher in the standings.  Like many runners who take up the sport, her accomplishments increased her self-confidence.  She joined the Quebec running club Les Vainqueurs for a while, but she realised that she needed more personalized coaching and programs.

 

From good, things just got better.  In 1985, she met the standards of the Quebec series, Rencontre des Champions.  For the next 5 years, she placed at the top of the rankings.  Then, she really kicked into high gear as she turned Masters.  She holds records on the track and on the roads at distances ranging from 3000m to 30K in the categories of 40-44 and 45 to 49.  The greatest feeling she has about running as a Masters, is that she feels basically the same as she did 15 years ago.  Her times are practically the same; she trains just as hard; her results are just as impressive.  She might need a bit more time to recover from hard efforts, but she makes that up with experience.  As an example, 14 years ago she ran a 17:04 5K; 3 years ago she ran a 17:08.  Today she is just as fit and goes under 17:30 easily.  She is looking forward to the right race where she can even break her PBs.  She did such a thing this year by breaking her PB at the half-marathon distance by running a 1:19:26 at the Vancouver Half-Marathon in June.

 

For L้gar้, one of her most memorable year was 1994.  After having read Runner’s World for many years and seeing all these exciting races happening in the US, she decided to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica New York in 1991.  In 1994 she won the Masters category in that race, a feat she repeated in 1999.  In 1994, she also won the Masters Category at the Hamilton Around the Bay 30K in a record time of 1:58:49; won the Falmouth Road Race Masters category; and was voted “Athl่te par Excellence sur Route” by the Quebec Athletic Federation.

 

In order to reach all these accomplishments, she has had to dedicate energy and time to train efficiently and effectively.  Her training consists of 75-80 km per week spread over 5 days that incorporate 2 track workouts and a long run.  She also cross-trains by cycling, pool running and doing weights.  As setting records requires an extra edge beyond all the physical preparation, L้gar้ practices visualization and mental imagery.  She used these mental skills to achieve one of her records in 1997.  With her PB for the 5K being 17:14, she wanted to break the age record of 17:12. She had difficulty figuring out how she could get any faster as that 17:14 had been exhausting.  She put her mind to work two weeks prior to her attempt at the record at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux race.  Every day she visualized herself crossing the line in under 17 minutes.  She also received constant encouragement from her husband.  When race day arrived, she blasted through the course in 17:08,setting a new record.

This attitude of excellence continues to this day.  Presently, she is getting herself ready for a possible Fall marathon.  She feels that her PB of 2:55 set in Las Vegas in 1995 is a little soft.  She is in great shape and this shows as she is leading the Canada Running Series in the Masters category and by the PB at the Vancouver Half.  She is also quite excited about next year as she turns 50 and she sees that records in that age category are well within sight.  Presently ranked the 3rd best female runner overall in Quebec, she also plans on keeping that ranking as she moves in the next category.  With performances she has had, you can bet that you will see Diane L้gar้’s name on the Records book for many years to come.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2000 – CMAA Half Marathon Champion

1999 – 2nd Masters – Canada Running Circuit

1999 – 2nd Masters 45-49 World Ranking – Running Times

1999 – 1st Overall – Timex Provincial Circuit

1998 – Ma๎tre pas Excellence de l’ann้e – Quebec Athletic Federation

1998 – 3rd Masters 45-49 World Ranking – Running Times

1997 – 1st Masters 45-49 World Ranking – Running Times

1997 – 1st 40-49 – New Balance Provincial Open

1996 – 2nd Masters 45-49 World Ranking – Running Times

1996 – 2nd Overall – Timex Provincial Circuit

1996 – 1st 40-49 – New Balance Provincial Open

1995 – 3rd Overall – Timex Provincial Circuit

1995 – 1st 40-49 – New Balance Provincial Open

1994 – 1st Overall – Timex Provincial Circuit

1994 – 1st 40-49 – New Balance Provincial Open

1994 – Coureuse de route par Excellence de l’ann้e – Quebec Athletic Federation

 

CANADIAN MASTERS RECORDS

35-39

5K – 17:04 – 1986

40-44

3000m – 10:23 – 1992 (standing)

5K – 17:19 – 1991 (standing)

21.1K – 1:19:27 - 1991

30K – 1:58:49 (standing)

45-49

1500m – 4:56.80 – 1998

3000m – 10:17 – 1997 (standing)

5K – 17:07 – 1997 (standing)

8K – 29:44 – 1999 (standing)

5 Mi – 29:09 – 1997 (standing)

10K – 35:55 – 1996 (standing)

15K – 55:08 – 2000 (standing)

10 Mi – 1:01:08 – 1997 (standing)

20K – 1:16:48 – 1996 (standing)

21.1K – 1:19:26 – 2000 (standing)

 

ROCK AND ROLL 5K

The Powerbar Rock and Roll 5K is becoming one of the favourite of short distance road racers.  The race this year was held in Toronto on July 21 and was part of the Canada Running Series.  Once again, a Kenyan male dominated this Series race as Joseph Maina won in under 15 minutes.  In the women’s race, Isabelle Ledroit who enjoys these short distances, showed her skills as she won in 16:26.  She was followed in 2nd place by top ranking Masters Nancy Tinari.

Male

 

Female

 

1. Joseph Maina (KEN)

14:53

Isabelle Ledroit

16:26

2. Fraser Bertram

15:03

Nancy Tinari

16:48

3. Clive Hamilton

15:07

Danuta Bartoszek

16:53

4. St้phane Gamache

15:15

Terri McAllister

17:08

5. Curtis Desroche

15:26

Nicole Stevenson

17:13

6. Mark Gardiner

15:27

Beth Carmichael

17:21

7. Ryan Smith

15:29

Patrice Kuntz

17:33

8. Greg Dailey

15:30

Leslie Carson

17:45

9. Zelco Sabel

15:32

Seanna Robinson

17:51

10. Andy Kelsey (USA)

15:34

Sasha Gollish

18:13

Masters

1. Jerry Kooymans

15:46

Nancy Tinari

16:48

2. Bob Garcie

16:04

Laura Konantz

18:30

3. John Holliday

16:06

Sharon Crawford

18:48

 

CANADA DRY CANADIAN TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP

This being an Olympic year, many road runners switched to the track and participated in the Canada Dry Canadian Track and Field Championships held in Victoria, BC on August 11 to 13.  This was the biggest event in track and field in Canada this year.  For fans of track and field, it was a pleasure to have this event partially covered by the media.  CTV Sportsnet had a one hour show on Saturday and carried the 100 m event live earlier that day.  On the internet, TrackMeets.com broadcasted all the events, though reception was a little spotty. Canada Dry, the sponsor of the event and the Canadian track and field team, should be applauded for their involvement in the sport.  They also sponsor a contest for the Sydney Olympics.

In terms of performances, though no records were set, there were great battles in the long distance events.  Kevin Sullivan and Leah Pells won the 1500m and will be representing Canada at the Olympics.  In the 5000m, Sean Kaley battled and won over Jeff Schiebler.  Kaley met the Olympic standard while Schiebler had already met the time.  In the women’s race, Tina Connelly out-kicked Courtney Babcock, unfortunately they did not meet the Olympic standard.  Connelly though had already qualified in the 10,000m.

1,500 m

Female

 

Male

 

1. Leah Pells

4:13

Kevin Sullivan

3:47

2. Krestena Sullivan

4:17

Rich Tremain

3:48

3. Carmen Douma

4:20

Ryan Hayden

3:49

5,000 m

Female

 

Male

 

1. Tina Connelly

15:34

Sean Kaley

15:25

2. Courtney Babcock

15:35

Jeff Schiebler

13:29

3. Michelle King

15:39

Jeremy Deere

13:38

 

GRAEME FELL RACES IN THE STATES

Since becoming a Masters, Graeme Fell has been racing in the big events in the United States.  On August 5th, he raced at the Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine where he finished 15th overall and 3rd Masters in the fastest time by a Canadian Masters this year when he clocked a 30:11.  A few weeks later he competed in the Falmouth Road Race and placed 25th overall and 3rd Masters in a time of 34:10 for this 7.1 mile race.

 

RESULTS

July 23 – Beat Beethoven 8K, Edmonton

Male

 

Female

 

1. Paul McCloy

25:37

Val Chowaniec

29:46

2. Dennis Colburn

25:37

Sandy Jacobson

29:58

3. Fred Stterington

25:45

Cheryl Steer

31:34

Masters

1. Neil Prior

27:57

Val Chowaniec

29:46

 

August 6 – Squamish Days 10K, Squamish, BC

Male

 

Female

 

1. Colin Dignum

31:30

Darcy Montgomery

37:29

2. Norman Tinkham

32:16

Erin Heffring

38:28

3. Neil Holm

32:20

Jennifer Walker

38:35

Masters

1. Art Boileau

33:17

Michelle Carr

39:09

 

August 8 – La Classique Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue 10K, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC

M1. Alan Moore – 34:27; F1. Tina Kader – 39:16

 

August 13 – Delta Half Marathon, Delta, BC

Female

 

Male

 

1. Joan McGrath

1:20:33

David Matte

1:10:16

2. Lisa Hamelin

1:25:57

John Hickey

1:12:18

3. Bonni Walker

1:27:11

JohnMcCrank

1:12:45

Masters

1. Bonni Walker

1:27:11

Dave Reed

1:15:10

 

August 15 – Xerox 10K, Ottawa

Female

 

Male

 

1. Sheila Kealey

38:36

Berry De Bruijn

34:40

 

August 16 – 5K Endurance, Pierrefonds, QC

M1. Christian Marmen – 14:53; F1. Isabelle Ledroit – 16:31

Masters – M1. John Holliday – 15:40; F1. Diane L้gar้ – 17:20

 

August 20 – La Grande Vadrouille 15K, Montreal

Female

 

Male

 

1. Elisabeth Ruel

55:21

Hassan Zaghry

51:16

2. Dominique Miron

59:03

Fred Biondi

51:30