Marathon runner wins her only race of the year
Claire Young plans on running only one marathon this year.
She made it count in spectacular fashion, placing first in the women’s division in the 23rd annual BMO Okanagan Marathon in Kelowna on Sunday.
“This is my first and only race this year,” said Young, the only Kelowna runner to place in the top six positions in either the men’s or women’s division.
“I’m over the moon. I didn’t expect to win, that’s for sure,” said Young, who crossed the finish line with a time of three hours six minutes 12 seconds.
In the men’s division, Whitehorse’s David Eikelboom placed first, with a time of 2:34:27.
“Normally, I do well on hilly courses, so I wasn’t totally sure how a flat one would go,” Eikelboom said. “I spent a lot of time studying the course map and the elevation profile.”
Almost 3,000 people from six countries took part in the marathon, with runners ranging in age from seven up to 81. Participants included three generations of one family, as well as double-lung transplant recipient Andrew Brownell, who was pushed in his wheelchair by his twin sister Anna to the finish line.
“We are so pleased to see such a diverse range of age and abilities in our runners. It truly has become a weekend the whole family can enjoy,” race director Tom Keogh said.
Over the years, the BMO Okanagan Marathon has raised more than $386,000 for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, which helps children battling disease realize some of their dreams.
Following are the top finishers in each marathon category (all results are unofficial): Marathon male 1. David Eikelboom, Whitehorse — 2:34:27 2. Brian York, Edmonton — 2:39:03 3. Darryl Vanderwoude, Edmonton — 2:39:52 Marathon female 1. Claire Young, Kelowna — 3:06:12 2. Genevieve Cauffope, Vancouver — 3:06:49 3. Megan Brown, Vancouver — 3:07:43 Half-marathon male 1. Jordan Van Besouw, West Kelowna — 1:20:03 2. Artur Wojtas, Calgary — 1:23:55 3. Jacob Harris, Kelowna — 1:25:01 Half-marathon female 1. Deb Russell, Calgary — 1:20:57 2. Sarah MacArthur, Calgary — 1:23:03 3. Gina Tranquada, Winnipeg — 1:29:05 10 km male 1. Brock Hoel, West Kelowna — 34:41
2. Craig Dale, Vancouver — 35:01
3. Michael Kelowna — 36:37 10 km female 1. Erica Casey, Coldstream — 40:14
2. Jessica Fisher, Kamloops — 42:12
3. Danielle Fauteux, Kamloops — 42:56 5 km male 1. Jack Hardy, Langley — 18:57 2. Russell Garries, Calgary — 22:08
3. Grayson Kelowna — 22:28 5 km female 1. Liza Burgess, Kelowna — 19:32
2. Maya Fish, Canmore — 21:24
3. Anika Louw, Kelowna — 23:49 North Schriemer, McMillan, For complete results, go to okanaganmarathon.ca or sportstats.ca.