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Virden 10K and 3K Run

The heat was on for the Virden marathon; meanwhile a train interrupted the sprint to the finish line for the fastest 10K runner. But the winners in each of four categories ran to uncontested finishes.

The heat was on for the Virden marathon; meanwhile a train interrupted the sprint to the finish line for the fastest 10K runner.

But the winners in each of four categories ran to uncontested finishes. It was perfect weather for watching Virden’s 5th Annual 10K Run and 3K Family Fun Walk or Run.


However, Sunday morning got a bit too hot to be comfortable for the athletes - a 20 degree morning; breathless in bright sunshine, by the time the lead racers pulled into the finish line sometime around 10 p.m.

Hands down winner of the 10K event was Thomas Eros, a Hartney born and raised 21-year-old.

His time at the finish line was 43 minutes, 39 seconds, with Mike Fitzgerald coming in at 47:11 and Michael Friesen fi nishing at 47:28.

Winner’s circle

But in reality Eros ran a much faster race than the time clock would indicate. Eros, along with some 3K runners, was stopped by a slow train on the CP rail through town. “My time,”
he stated, “was about 36:39 if the train hadn’t crossed. I ran my stop watch for the race, but I paused it while the train was crossing.”

“In all five years, this is the first time we have ever had a train,” said Andrea Andrews the event’s organizer.

Eros actually ran the 6.2 miles seven minutes faster - nearly 11 minutes faster than the second place runner.

Eros currently lives in Brandon. With an easy win in Virden, he is excited about his next run on May 31 - the YMCA Spring Run in Brandon. He will also compete in the Treherne Marathon - Run for the Hills - in September.

“I wanted to do long distance running because I wanted to challenge myself.... And also, it was something different that no one else would take the time to do.”

He trains hard, but says, “My training is simple. I go for a run about four times a week, putting in alittle over 30 miles a week. Then, I go to the gym twice a week to lift weights, and
do two workouts at home, something light.”

He has ambitions for his future. “I want to make a living out of it,” says Eros, speaking of the need for sponsorship to reach his goal of running in the Boston Marathon.

In the women’s event, Cindy Branum led the way, with 51:40; Alanna Simpson with 54:08 came second and Julie Brunel third with 57:03. Virdenites turned out for the 3K run. Families ran together,
husbands and wives, friends, parents with their young children, mothers with toddlers in strollers - most (119 people) specializing in the 3K event.

Community spirit Andrew, as organizer, was pleased with the event and received some compliments regarding the strong community spirit, with the crowd and the runners hanging around
until all the 10K runners covered the home stretch. Not something you see in a Winnipeg race, according to Swamp Donkey - the timer for the event. New this year, the timers
used a microchip on the back of each runner’s bib. As the runner crossed the finish, their time was automatically registered.

Andrew said the number of entrants was up 50 from last year to about 150. As many as 200 entered the run for the first couple of years.

Youth won 3K
Kids were the big winners of the 3K race. Hunter Andrew, Tanner Andrew and Tuff Barnesky won with 13:34, 13:33.5 and 13:50 respectively.
In the female division Carmen Hutchison, Bonnie James and Adriana Orozco-McDougal were the top three runners with 14:17, 16:36 and 17:01 respectively.
There was no monetary reward for winning, but medals of honour were placed around the necks of the winners. Participants’ names were entered for three door prizes.

The Running Room managed aspects of the Race including their online listing, insurance and medal sponsorship. With food and refreshments available on site, a festive atmosphere
prevailed. Dave Ternier provided upbeat music, cheering on each runner to the finish line. Family and friends greeted the competitors, who also congratulated each other.

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