KAKABEKA FALLS, ON – Sunday, August 19, 140 Half Marathoners and 59 participants of the 8K road race were greeting with almost perfect running conditions. A light fog started to roll in just prior to the 7 am start time. The silence of the traffic-free, Trans-Canada Highway was broken by the Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band playing off the runners on to their respective courses.

We were so proud to boast that 33 runners chose our race to be either their first Half Marathon or their very first organized race.

The day before though – was even more of a challenge for some.  The “Ortona Challenge” was issued; and 27 brave folks answered the call.  These folks believed that just running a Half Marathon on Sunday was not enough, they wanted to run the same 8K course the day before on Saturday creating, was is know in Runner’s circles, as a “back to back”.

Local runner David Prince was first in the Challenge, with a combined time of 2:10:48. The female with the fastest combined total time was Rachel Anishinabie also from Thunder Bay, with a combined time of 2:36:57.

On Sunday; the first overall finisher in the 8k was local runner Carolyn Mancuso who took control of the race right from the start, finishing in a blistering 35:05.  The next person to cross the finish line, and first male finisher, was local runner Johnathan Gathercole with a time of 39:41.

On the Half Marathon side, Thunder Bay’s own Scott Vaillant was the first to finish with a time of 1:31:09.  The third overall finisher and first female to cross the finish line was Jodie Barry, also of Thunder Bay, with a time of 1:33:52.

A great day was had by all who participated. Many runners stayed to cheer on their compatriots who were finishing after them.  When all the runners were in; the awards were presented, and many draw prizes were given away all folks went away happy, some already talking about next year’s race.  Thanks so much to those sponsors who helped us out. While most of the participants hailed from Northwestern Ontario, including runners from Nipigon, Red Rock and Marathon,  we had runners from Texas, Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as from British Columbia and Manitoba.

Thanks to all the Service Providers, the LSSR, the 2294 Cadets, St Johns Ambulance, 18th Thunder Bay Medical Company, Thunder Bay Military Museum, Superior EMS, Pioneer Construction, Jason McKenzie Photography, the Superintendent and Staff of the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, the Thunder Bay Police Pipes and Drums and the OPP, as well the City of Thunder Bay and the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge.

Thanks to the volunteers, and the Executive and Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 225 Kakabeka Falls.

A special shout out to our sponsors from the Village of Kakabeka Falls  – Rapport Credit Union, the Shake Shoppe, IDA Kakabeka Falls, the Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park,  the Telstar Motel, Eclips Hair Design and Karen Marsh RMT.

Jim Gilbert, Race Director
Kakabeka Falls Legion Half Marathon and 8K