Sunny sky for 12th annual County Marathon

Following years of rain-outs, hundreds of runners pounded the pavement through PEC under a sunny sky for Sunday morning’s 12th annual County Marathon.

Gilbert Kiptoo cruises through Bloomfield

There were 167 participants in the full marathon 42 kilometre event (72 women and 95 men).

Gilbert Kiptoo, of Kenya, (bib 166) ranked first, gliding over the finish line at 2:40:07.5.

This is the third year Kiptoo has won the race.

Patrick Kelly, of Ottawa, (bib 163) was second with 2:51:46.3; followed by Gilles Gobeil, of Gatineau, (bib 144) at 3:01:02.6 and Kyle Den Bak, of Ottawa, (bib 260) at 3:02:45.7.

Sharon Gillant, of Hamilton, finished in eighth spot and was the first female over the line at 3:07:30.7. Emily Hamilton, of Halifax, was right behind her in 9th spot at 3:08:22.0.

Though the race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, most participants ran in the half-marathon – 491 runners – 329 women and 162 men.

The half-marathon winner was Kevin Beatty, of Frankford, (bib 1032) in 1:16:26.3. Dustin Dioguardi, of Kingston, finished second in 1:24:31.4 followed by Casey Roblin, of Belleville, in 1:24:32.4 and Scott Wilkes, of Kingston, in 1:26:12.5.

Paula Wiltse, of Brockville, ended in fifth place, with 1:26:30.7 and was the first female in the half across the finish line.

Thirty-nine women and 10 men participated in the Hospital Foundation Team Challenge run.

The “Runing Wilder” men’s team, from Belleville, took first place, followed by the Kids of Steel mixed team, of Selwyn.

Amusing Team names included “We Thought they said Rum!” (finished 10th); the “Run Like the Winded” was 33rd and “Run Now Wine Later” was 44th.

Cirque Du Sore Legs team, from Picton, finished 18th and included Colleen Galway, Chris Rizzo, Donna Harrison, Sarah Harrison and Steve Kinney.

The Fearsome Five Running Wild team from Picton ended 22nd and included Michelle Pothier, Diane Coates, France Maltias, Jen Abrams and Alison Haggarty.

The “Hillier Crew” ended 26th and included five Westerhofs – Aaron, Kurt, Jonah, John and Derrick.

The Crazy Cats, from Picton, finished 30th and included Anna Dawson, Andrea Sorokine, Stepanie McFaul, Julia Sorokine and Diana Nieuwenhof.

Finishing 31st were “The Habs and Habnots” from Picton, including Michelle Guthro, Steve Van Vlack, Tanya Turner Valleau, Dave Guthro and Amie Turner Guthro.

The “Bay Duds” from Picton, finished 32nd with Mark Graham, Al Gorsline, John Briggs, Mark Vanson and Richard Armour.

Run Like the Winded, from Cherry Valley, wound up 33rd with Steve Cako, Dagney Benton, Melanie Thompson, Michael Moriarty and Robin Benton.

“Onetokenmale” Curtis Bowerman, helped Picton teammates Julie Bopdrug, Kim Drifelds, Kendra Link and Patricia Stenning finish 35th.

The PEYC team from Picton included Karole Marois, Vicky Vachon and Bev Gorsline, finishing 36th.

Team Kristalyn, from Bloomfield included Christine, Krista, John and Christian with Eileen McEwen, finishing 47th.

The Ms-fits, in 48th, from Hillier, were Margaret Knight, Jane Allison, Kathy Pettingill, Heather Lemon and Jeanette McCaw.

Volunteers support the race at water stations, and along the entire route.

Guide and blind runners were among the runners.

Full results for full marathon here: https://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?raceid=23714

Full results for half marathon here: https://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?raceid=28420

Full results for Hospital Foundation Team Challenge here: https://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?raceid=28419