Loving to run

Queen Charlotte picks up two team titles as 644 runners brave fall conditions at PEISAA event

A total of 644 runners and about 1,400 spectators attended the P.E.I. School Athletic Association’s (PEISAA) provincial crosscountry running championships Saturday at Mill River Resort. Despite the cool and windy conditions, participant attendance was down just 17 runners from last year.

This was the 17th consecutive year the Westisle family of schools has hosted the provincial championship for runners in the pre-novice to intermediate age groups. Another 139 runners participated in the senior high category races Oct. 16 at Charlottetown Rural High School.

PEISAA cross-country commissioner Paul Goguen offered praise for the leadership class students from M.E. Callaghan and Hernewood intermediate schools for their contributions to the success of the championships.

“From parking cars to recording runners at the finish line, these students over exceeded our expectations,” he commented. “Once the races started, the meet ran like clockwork, it stated on time and finished on time.”

While one group of runners was out on the trails, the award presentation to the previous group of runners was carried out.

“We are so thankful to the Mill River Resort and their staff for allowing us to use their facility. It gives us an opportunity to offer a safe environment for students to run and lots of areas to make each course different and difficult for all the different age levels,” Goguen said.

The temperature was 8 C when the intermediate boys took to the course for the first race of the day, and it climbed to 11 C by the time the pre-novice runners finished the day.

The wind gusts were so strong at times fallen leaves took flight throughout the campground where most of the spectators congregated.

Fifty-four Island schools had runners entered in Saturday’s races. There were as many as 16 school teams entered in some races.

The winners from the pre-novice girls run take their spots on the podium after the Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association provincial cross-country championship Saturday. From left are Gaby Noye, Ellerslie Elementary; Mia Gallant, Ecole Francois Buote and Lucy Fraser, Donagh, who finished third, first and second, respectively.

ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER A tight pack of runners navigate the first wooded leg of their race during Saturday’s Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association provincial novice boys’ cross-country race at Mill River.

ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER Summerside Intermediate School captured the bantam girls team title at the P.E.I. School Athletic Association’s provincial cross-country championships Saturday at Mill River. Team members are, from left, are coach Rob Connell and runners Madison Brown, Bree McAlduff, Marleigh Jayne Smallwood, Ava Allain. Missing are Brooke Baglole and Rachel Purdy.