Doug Barber's
Memories of Ontario Ultra Running


Doug has been active in distance running for most of his adult life, both as a competitor and a race organizer.   Here are some excerpts from his Ultra Running Scrapbook.   
Doug's bio | write Doug

After the 1983 Toronto 50 & 100k.  I won the 50k in 3:25:55.  Next to me are Terry Martin, 2nd in the 100k; Rick Rayman, 2nd in the 50k; and Al Howie, winner of the 100k.
see Toronto Star article from April 24, 1983

 

At the start of the Waterloo 38er, October 16, 1983.  I am wearing #534 and came 2nd in 4:27:52.  Terry Martin is tying his shoes.  Winner Max Barr is at far left, with head partially showing.  Rich Wigmore is behind me wearing the red headband.  Beside Rich is Celia McInnes who set the female course record.    Results

  

At the start of the Nickel City Fifty Miler, November 13, 1983 in Buffalo NY.  This was my first 50, time 6:45:30.  Other Ontario finishers were Norm Patenaude 6:12, Barry Ault 6:26, Doug Flis 6:35, Esmond Mah 6:38, Fred Mclennan 6:59, Charles MacPhee 7:38, Cliff Davies 7:45.  Edward Lee Cohn of Rochester won in 5:42:58.

 

March 1, 1986 - At the 2nd La Cloche 50k from Espanola to Little Current, Ontario organized by Norm Patenaude.  Lined up are Sy Mah, ?, Tom Jewiss, ?, ?, Norm, ?, Wayne Christopherson.  I wasn't there, Norm sent me the photo.
Results

 

Toronto 50k in Sunnybrook Park, April 26, 1986.  I'm #970, 2nd from right in blue shorts.  I won it in 3:27.

 

I organized the first Georgian Bay 50 Mile Fun Run in October 1986 won by Tom Jewiss in 6:33.  
Back row: Doug Barber, Chris Newell, Les (Deezil) Szilagyi, Ab Kampstra, Murray Shill
Front row: Tom Jewiss, Rolly Portelance, Wally Herman
Results

 

2nd Georgian Bay 50 Mile Fun Run, November 1987
Terry Martin, on his way to victory, takes aid offered by Joanne Barber.
Results

Jack Butler, Joe Lehmann (pacer) and myself. 

Sherry McLean

Les Szilagyi and me at the finish line.

Wayne Witt, me, and my late Dad Robert (Bert) Barber, 80, after the race.

 

Sept 4, 1988 -  Norm Patenaude is cheering me on in the 2nd Patenaude's Choice 50k in St. Jacobs organized by Wayne Witt.  I'm setting the pace for the Mennonites in the horse and buggy behind me!  I came 2nd to John Butler.  The previous year I won and John was 2nd.
Results

 

I'm congratulating Greg Bohuslawsky at the 3rd Georgian Bay 50 Mile Fun Run on October 30, 1988.
Results

I'm  presenting Esmond Mah with his 2nd place award at the 3rd Georgian Bay 50 Mile Fun Run on October 30, 1988.

 

Grant Campbell picking out a merchandise prize at the 4th Georgian Bay 50k/50 Mile Fun Run in October 1989 in Owen Sound.
Results
see article from the Sun Times, Owen Sound Oct 30, 1989

Rolly Portelance and me at the 4th Georgian Bay 50k/50 Mile Fun Run in October 1989 in Owen Sound.

 
1990 Georgian Bay Fun Run

1990 was the last year the race was held
see article from the Sun Times, Owen Sound Oct 29, 1990

 

Linda Hodkin and Arctic Joe Womersley at the 40k aid station of the 1st Slough of Despond 50k, 1992 in Wiarton.

 

The Barbers - Three Generations of Distance Running

read the 1993 article by Tom Jewiss

  

Yours truly in winning form at the finish of the Nickel City 50 Mile, Buffalo on Nov 6, 1994.  High winds and rain hampered the runners but I still managed to do 6:38:14.  Other Ontario finishers were Ed Ciesielski 3rd in 7:50, Joe Cleary 9:07, Greg Bohuslawsky 9:15 and Bruce Hilton 10:45.

 
1995 IAU 100K
World Challenge
from the Sun Times, Owen Sound, Sept ??, 1995
BARBER PLACES EIGHTH IN WORLD EVENT

Winschoten, Holland - Doug Barber secured a personal best and finished eighth in his age division while representing Canada at the World Challenge 100 kilometre road race here Saturday.
Barber, who lives in Owen Sound, competed in the 45-49 age division and finished the race in nine hours 15 minutes and 44 seconds.
He topped his previous best time by almost 20 minutes.
Barber was part of the six-member Canadian team which placed 12th in the world overall.  Of the 355 athletes from around the world who began the race, 222 finished the event.

click for larger view

1998 photo and article on the OUS participants from the Owen Sound area
 
see story 1999 photostory on trail running from the Toronto Star
 Boston Marathon 2003  with 
daughter Tracy

news clipping from the Owen Sound Sun Times

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