Hi Everyone,
Nestled along the banks of the Grand River, authentic cross country running
comes to life at the Pinehurst Lake Conservation area. The Lake setting
being the backdrop for Run for the Toad, captures trail/ultra racing with lush
landscaping, natural environment, rolling grasshopper meadows, Kettle Lake and
Carolinian forest. A premium trail interior, staffed with volunteers
welcoming all the runners to this 1st annual Run for the Toad.
This year, as we are welcomed by 220 runners including many families, friends,
sponsors and some 35 volunteers, energy and expectations are running high.
Our first ever opening ceremonies speaker Ed Alexander touched on the tradition
of the Ontario Ultra Series (OUS).
The Run for the Toad race continues the tradition set by many of the OUS race
directors. As many of you have observed over the season the OUS is
spreading its running wings in directions to bring Ultra Trail Running to its
best. It seems we were preparing for the next stage of running development and
the direction of the future. For this reason our Run for the Toad race
followed objective guidelines by which the runners themselves would evaluate the
results. Lines of communication with Gord England, Helen Malmberg and
other race directors were essential for Run for the Toad. And we thank
each of you for that.
Volunteers, we call them exceptional people. Over the past three months
we were on the hunt for individuals that understand the difference between
mediocre and getting the job done. In keeping our volunteers posted, we
asked opinions and advise -- or in short, teamwork. So remember at your
next race these volunteers are your lifeblood! They were a significant
component at the Run for the Toad.
We Thank the following people:
Registration Area
Sherry MacFarlane, Lloyd & Julia Schmidt
Gatehouse/Marshall/Medals
Bill Schmidt, Barb Muise, Jose Jarquin, Abraham Jarquin, Bill Cressman,
Virginia, Angie, Alley Govier
OUS Photographer
Esmond Mah
Aid Station #1
Barb Gehl, Shanna, Cyn Vavasour, Sherry MacFarlane
Aid Station #2
Tri County Cross Country Team Members – Drew Graham, Kevin Beatty, Calvin
Staples, Wayne Riley
Aid Station #3
Lloyd Weber, Gina Martin, John Cookson, Maria, Scarlet, Leyda Jarquin
Bike Marshalls
Mike Smolak, John Myckan
Special Presentation of Medals from Kelly Dever. Thank you Kelly
and Dave for your participation at Run for the Toad. Everyone was
delighted to see Kelly come out to the race.
As we stated earlier during the opening ceremonies, cooperation was key. Couple
this with the talent pool that the Pinehurst Lake Conservation area boasts and
we're sure we'll find ways to cope with finding some of the best cross country
running conditions available. We thank Chris Murray, Park Superintendent,
and his staff.
Before bringing any kind of an event like this together one has to establish if
there is enough money for it. Through our own business lessons of the
past, we knew we had to convince our sponsors that this running event would be a
worthwhile venture. Thank you Sponsors: Adventure Guide, Best
Western/Cambridge, Cambridge Hydro, Canadian College of Massage, Forbes Motors,
Montrail, Runners Choice, Saucony Canada, Tammy Olinski, Tara Demchuk,
Runner’s World, Machinery Exchange, Ampersand Printing, Conference Cup,
Vincenzo’s, Savarin Springs, Wyndham Art Supplies
Special "Thanks" to Duncan Thorn/ORA Race Services for our race
accreditation, insurance underwriting and numerous points of discussion.
The Cambridge St. John's Ambulance for the day long support of 3 volunteer
staff. The Brant County Deputy Chief Andre Gravelle and the Paris Fire
Department.
Congratulations Armand Leblanc and members of the Canadian Forces showing up
with 11 strong – by the way they produced four first time 50k finishers.
Congratulations to all the Run for the Toad Award Winners. The Awards and
including the finishing medals were hand crafted from Style Guides supporting
the Toad Patrol Television Series. For next year's 2003 awards and
finishing keepsakes I can only say, we have a lot of ground to cover.
25k Male under 40 age group:
1. Peter Donato
2. Keith Peters
3. Clark Day
25k Female Under 40 age group:
1. Lisa Main
2. Christina Clark
3. Kelly Rupoli
25k Male 40+ age group:
1. David Deubelbeiss
2. George Aitkin
3. Herb Phillips
25k Female 40+ age group
1. Jane Macleod
2. Deanna Lindsay
3. Gerda Zonruiter
50k Male under 50 age group:
1. Victor Hickey
2. John Culhane
3. Luke Hohenadel
50k Female under 50 age group:
1. Marianne Perz
2. Colleen Buis
3. Pat Sommers
50k Male 50+ age group:
1. Paul Jewell
2. Wayne Percey
3. Doug Barber
50k Female 50+ age group:
1. Astrid Varga
2. Linda Hodkin
3. Helen Malmberg
Part of Run for the Toad’s future success will be driven by creative,
intelligent team-decisions, that continuously invigorate running and maintain
its freshness. In large part much of the expertise will come from what
already exists in the sport of running. To ensure the longevity of Run for
the Toad, we want to make sure that all promotional tie-ins fit with our overall
strategies and positioning of the Run for the Toad within the Ontario Ultra
Series.
This was a special day for us and one we want to continue. Success
to all the OUS Race directors in 2003.
Kind regards,
Peggy, Don and George
co-race directors Run for the Toad