Photos by Julie, part 2, Evening barbeque

Photos by Ryan McGovern (Shoot The Thrill Photography)

Stage 7 Results

Sunday 14 August 2011

Conestogo Park, Conestogo

Around RIM park, two loops

Marathon, road

PLACE	First Name	Last Name	Sex	Bib	City	Prov	Country	Age	1st half	2nd half	Time
Ultimate Men
1	Rick	Straughen	M	2	Shelby Twp	MI	USA	30	1:30:49	1:35:59	3:06:48
2	Stefan	Gudmundson	M	11	Guelph	ON	CANADA	41	1:33:06	1:34:06	3:07:12
3	Dave	Rutherford	M	20	Waterloo	ON	CANADA	47	1:36:38	1:32:42	3:09:20
4	Kyle	Den bak	M	8	Ottawa	ON	CANADA	29	1:37:36	1:35:04	3:12:40
5	Brian	Northan	M	23	Guilderland	NY	USA	36	1:36:06	1:38:39	3:14:45
6	Joshua	McAnsh	M	15	Toronto	ON	CANADA	29	1:45:13	1:41:24	3:26:37
7	Jack	Kilislian	M	14	Toronto	ON	CANADA	41	1:45:13	1:44:29	3:29:42
8	Denis	Allen	M	3	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	49	1:40:56	1:53:14	3:34:10
9	Brian	Verspagen	M	22	Waterloo	ON	CANADA	41	1:51:28	1:51:24	3:42:52
10	Wilf	Goron	M	10	Wheatley	ON	CANADA	56	1:44:15	1:59:02	3:43:17
11	Mike	Kalman	M	13	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	55	1:53:34	1:50:33	3:44:07
12	Mark	McDonald	M	16	Toronto	ON	CANADA	29	1:53:15	1:57:41	3:50:56
13	David	Anthes	M	5	Thunder Bay	ON	CANADA	47	1:51:08	2:01:00	3:52:08
14	Bren	Huhtala	M	12	Elmira	ON	CANADA	33	1:54:32	2:04:27	3:58:59
15	Ed	Andringa	M	4	Pickering	ON	CANADA	53	1:57:11	2:06:35	4:03:46
16	A. Duff	McLaren	M	17	Toronto	ON	CANADA	62	2:09:22	2:11:55	4:21:17
17	Paul	Mora	M	18	Toronto	ON	CANADA	41	2:05:00	2:18:21	4:23:21
18	Regan	Correia	M	7	Pickering	ON	CANADA	38	2:06:12	2:18:35	4:24:47
19	Chris	Battaglia	M	6	Barrie	ON	CANADA	54	2:11:09	2:18:51	4:30:00
20	Bill	Dost	M	9	Burlington	ON	CANADA	35	2:11:05	2:19:57	4:31:02
21	Jordan	Newell	M	19	Springfield	ON	CANADA	23	2:14:31	-	dnf

Ultimate Women
1	Joanne	Bink	F	101	Waterloo	ON	CANADA	44	1:37:56	1:30:58	3:08:54
2	Jessica	Hageman	F	108	Guilderland	NY	USA	35	1:57:15	1:58:41	3:55:56
3	Vicki	Zandbergen	F	107	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	32	2:01:10	2:07:31	4:08:41
4	Catherine	Kelly	F	104	Cambridge	ON	CANADA	34	1:57:15	2:14:12	4:11:27
5	Sandra	Weichel	F	106	Ashburn	ON	CANADA	48	2:06:12	2:18:35	4:24:47
6	Maureen	Pecknold	F	105	Toronto	ON	CANADA	43	2:20:50	2:27:47	4:48:37
7	Jodi	Kalman	F	103	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	46	2:35:14	3:05:37	5:40:51

SPORT MALE
1	Jeff	Ashizawa	M	308	Waterloo	ON	CANADA	45	1:31:46	1:32:48	3:04:34
2	Andrew	Heij	M	307	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	30	1:44:33	1:56:46	3:41:19
3	Gilles	Gervais	M	306	Gatineau	ON	CANADA	41	1:53:34	1:56:06	3:49:40
4	Robert	Stern	M	21	Andover	NY	USA	60	2:09:31	2:42:02	4:51:33

SPORT FEMALE
1	Johanne	Audet	F	301	Gatineau	QC	CANADA	46	2:00:32	2:09:59	4:10:31
2	Sara	Blanchett	F	302	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	32	2:19:37	2:26:38	4:46:15
	Heather	Heij	F	304	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	30	-	-	dnf

RELAY	Team Name			Bib	Relay Member				1st half	2nd half	Time
1	My VO2 Craziest			202	Dan McKinnon				1:27:15	1:34:29	3:01:44
2	Runners' Choice Distance Divas			204	Joanne Bink				1:37:56	1:30:58	3:08:54
3	My VO2 Crazier			201	Kevin Meaney				1:30:49	1:43:23	3:14:12
4	Runners' Choice Distance Dudes			205	Holger Kleinke				1:38:08	1:40:17	3:18:25
5	My VO2 Crazy			203	Samantha Joseph				1:36:16	1:45:41	3:21:57

GUESTS
1	Mike	Crepeau	M	408	North bay	ON	CANADA	48	1:37:07	1:40:21	3:17:28
2	Jason	Erb	M	411	Baden	ON	CANADA	39	1:30:49	1:47:06	3:17:55
3	Pierre	Meier	M	423	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	46	1:41:25	1:52:48	3:34:13
4	Brad	Stafford	M	430	Rockwood	ON	CANADA	36	1:55:33	2:00:35	3:56:08
5	Kelly	Thomas	F	432	Cambridge	ON	CANADA	22	1:57:11	2:00:54	3:58:05
6	Amanda	Booth	F	466	Kitchener	ON	CANADA	45	2:19:37	2:26:38	4:46:15
7	Lesley	Eccles	F	303	Mount Albert	ON	CANADA	36	2:22:08	2:28:47	4:50:55
8	Rick	Rayman	M	426	Toronto	ON	CANADA	65	2:19:26	2:46:10	5:05:36

Stage 7, Last Day, The Marathon...

8 Days . . . 7 Stages . . . 160 KM . . . 1 Tough Runner

This year's ENDURrun International is over. So are 160 km (160,000 strides), seven days, countless hills, many personal bests. Along the way there have been countless personal victories, and many painful moments. The victories last but the pain is soon gone. We acknowledge those who DNF'ed – it takes a lot of guts to register, months of preparation, more guts to show up at the start line, and a lot of determination to start running. Not finishing a Stage or the entire ENDURrun is pure misfortune and means you'll soon be running another day, and maybe back next year. The Ultimate, Sport, Guest, and Relay Contenders have run some really brutal, tough courses. We have seen so many friends, families, and the curious follow your progress and providing you tonnes of support. The ENDURrun veterans know what you've been though. There is no event like the ENDURrun. And you've got to be plain, bloody tough to do it.

Lloyd and Julie Schmidt, the race director team, want to sincerely thank you for coming to this event to challenge yourself. Your perseverance, endurance, and wholehearted commitment to this week have been pure inspiration. Your efforts have shown great human spirit. We have really enjoyed sharing this experience with you and hope to see you again very soon.

We can't say how much we appreciate what the volunteers have done for us. Each start/finish line is perfect to send off the runners and welcome them at the finish. The “tent city” is ready before the earliest runner arrives and is the centre of the food, rest, and social life. The courses are very clearly marked. The water stations are frequent, well stocked, and managed with competence. The runners truly appreciate having their own liquids and running snacks at the stations. Because this is a small, personable event, the aid station volunteers know their runners and have the correct replacement water bottle as the runner dashes by. You have spend many long, hot, sometimes wet hours out there on the trails and roads and you've been excellent!

It is hard to appreciate how many volunteers are involved in the food preparation and how much time they put into shopping, cooking, preparing, serving, cleaning, and transporting. Each year there are the perennial food-favourites and new creative dishes. All new-comers to this event simply can't believe how much care goes into the meals. Clearly, running your guts out every day needs nutrition so your meal efforts have definitely contributed to our daily running successes. Thanks, also, for sharing your recipes that you'll find on our website.

The event sponsors have been very generous, contributing in many different ways. They are all listed on the website. Economical Insurance provides enormous support. Other sponsors keep the costs lower for the Competitors – this is a resource intensive event! The sponsor with the most hands-on contribution is KW health connection with their team of massage, chiropractors, and therapists to stretch tight muscles, loosen muscle cramps, massage scarred muscle tissue, and make the Contenders ready for the next day. It has been amazing to watch them rush to a runner's aid at the finish line when the runner's down with a seized hamstring.

And so, it seems like only yesterday we were gathered for the pre-event meeting at the race director's home the even of the 9th ENDURrun. The week has gone by very quickly! Last Sunday's half marathon Stage 1 started the event and set the stage for a week-long adventure. The Contenders saw how they ranked against their fellow Contenders. Stage 2 was a 15 km time trial – quite likely a new experience for many runners. It also brought the first big hill and trails. Stage 3 at Bechtel Park was a tough, hot, humid, rolling hills, 30 km slugfest of a race. It is long and hard. But also a beautiful park setting with much forest running. Stage 4 was 10 miles of hills on the infamous Wilmont Line. Stage 5 was 25.6 km at Chicopee – 'nuff said. Stage 6 is one of the best 10 km courses around. Many PBs were lowered – imagine running your fastest ever 10 km the day after Chicopee and racing 110 km all week. Finally Stage 7 where, after beating your body all week, you set off on the marathon. Everyone toed the marathon line feeling battered, hurt, pain, and fatigue, and raced off with guts and determination!

Congratulations once again to everyone!

The Marathon Race...

The morning broke with near-perfect running conditions. Overcast, very slight breeze, warm, but not hot. The temperature would later climb to 29C by mid-day. The Contenders stretched their sore legs as they got out of their cars and then started their personal pre-race routine. We are all friends now and wished each other well for the race. Pickup trucks loaded with aid station supplies dispersed to points around the certified half-marathon course. Half an hour earlier a few Competitors took an early start – they looked like the elite lead pack for a while. Lloyd performed the roll call and gave last minute instructions. And there they were... gone.

The first 2 km includes a gentle slight downhill and helped the runners work the kinks out of the legs and figure out how they'll hold out for another 40 km. After the first significant hill there is a long straight relatively flat stretch for about 8 km. It often takes quite some time to settle into a good race pace in the marathon. What you do in the first 5 km has a huge impact on the last 5 km, so these seasoned runners were preparing mentally and physically for the rest of the race. Additionally, this is the last chance to improve your standings in the rankings. Some Contenders needed to stick with a rival, others needed to make serious distance ahead of their rivals. But it was still a mystery to see whether your rival was going to be strong the whole race or if the effects of the past 6 Stages would be tearing them down over Stage 7. The ENDURrun 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places have been won and lost on the ENDURrun marathon many times.

The runners became strung out quite quickly down the road. Several were running with one or more other runners. Others simply persevered and let the race unfold before them and savoured the end of a spectacular week. Several friends rode their bikes to follow their ENDURrun contenders and to enjoy the competition. The runners finished the first half by pass through the start/finish line. They all received encouragement as they rounded the corner and off for the second half.

Two were unable to start the second half – they had persevered through much pain and discomfort over the first half and enough was enough. We wish them a speedy recovery.

The Final Results...

The Ultimate Contenders

This marathon was all about Personal Bests. What an incredible way to end a very challenging week! We saw at least 6 PBs today and many people came close to their fastest time. Boston qualifers for many, if you can believe doing that after such a week. Others were very pleased to finish strong (or standing) - Congratulations to all of you.

The first to cross the finish line was of the My VO2 Crazy team with a fast time of 3:01. He wished for a faster time but perhaps the hills and humidity took its toll. Second to finish was Rick Straughen, Ultimate Male leader who had the Yellow Jersey for the entire week. But right on his tail was Stefan Gudmundson who had been trailing Rick during all but one Stage this week where he won Stage 5. In very quick succession "13 second" Dave Rutherford, Kyle Den bak, and Brian Northan came in all within seven minutes. Dave nailed this race with a 4 minute PB - his first half was a 4:34 min pace, his second half a 4:24 min pace, and his last 2 km a 4:18 pace! Kyle came in with a PB in 3:12:40. Joshua continued the PB trend by lowering his time by 3 minutes. Jack and Denis came in around 3:30 - very solid times. The PB prize goes to Brian Verspagen who broke his marathon time by 1 hr and negative split by 4 seconds! On the course today he looked incredibly strong. Today should shatter his previous conception of who is as a runner - he's a fit, fast athelete. Right behind Brian, Wilf topped off a spectacular week. He previously had limited running and racing experience but has proved to himself his training and perserverence (and marginal footwear) is what it takes to finish something like the ENDURrun! Mike Kalman crossed the finish just behind Wilf, tired, but looking as fluid as the first day. He ran through joint and muscle pain in many body parts but kept his regular finishing position he held all week amoungst his competitors. Mike even negative split by 3 minutes! David Anthes and Bren Huhtala both finished under 4:00, Bren knocking 3 minutes off his PB. Ed Andringa looked great, coming across just over 4hr, a very respectible time. Duff McLaren finished with style and proudly finished his 4 5/7ths ENDRUrun. Paul Mora, just minutes behind Duff, finished in 4:23 - well done given last minute doubts about even coming this year. Regan Correia finished right behind Paul and was the embodiment of selfless support as he coaxed his companion Sandra Weichel every step of the way. Chris Battaglia finished an even 4:30 - a very good time for this veteran marathon and ultra runner. The Ultimate Male category is rounded up with yet another PB by Bill Dost - what a week Bill! While Jordan Newell couldn't finish, he showed his spirit by at least completing a half marathon today - amazing given how he had worked all week with such fun spirit.

While there was no PBs delivered by the women today, they all had major accomplishments. Joanne broke the woman's ENDURrun marathon record set last year by 3 minutes! The best Birthday gift, and her 20th marathon. Joanne led the women all week sporting the Yellow Jersey and finished with a bang! Jessica Hageman finished the marathon a half hour faster than last year and that permitted her to finish the ENDURrun over 1 hour faster this year over last! Jessica completed the marathon with the first and second halves virtually same pace. Vicki Zandbergen was able to perservere over the week and finished in 4:08 - a great time! Right behind Vicki came Catherine Kelly. Catherine was often the life of the ENDURrun party and despite a very painful pulled muscle that slowed her second half, she gutted it out. She is a very strong athlete and still finished not that far after rival Jack. Sandra W. had an amazing week and finished sub 4:30 - she said she never though she could do it. Sandra has now done it and can be proud. Maureen was always consistant and ran smartly, always ready for the next day's race. A ENDURrun veteran, Maureen blew her last year 5:14 marathon out of the water, finishing today in 4:48. Jodi Kalman exuded the ENDURrun spirit of being tough. Jodi had gone through much this week and still kept moving on, grateful for the ability to run and climb these mountains. Everyone at the finish line wasn't so much waiting for her to finish, but willing her on to finish. Jodi brought the 7 ENDURrun International races, 160 km, to a happy and emotional end, and was an inspiration to us all. And she looked great the whole way.

The Sport Contenders

While a shorter event, the Sports category is tough and intense. Jeff Ashizawa ran a very strong and consitant race to finish well ahead of his rivals. Andrew Heij and Gilles Gervais both ran very strong races and topped of a very hard weekend of running. Congrats and félicitations! Robert Stern switched from the Ultimate to the Sports category, but still ran the same races or distances as the Ultimate Contenders. Bob, ever kind and friendly, finished in a healthy sub 5hr, and with a dramatic finish. Well done!

Johanne Audet est une très bon coureur and finished a very respectable 4:10, well ahead of Sara Blanchett who ran a vey consistent race. Unfortunately Heather Heij was unable to finish but we hope to see her back.

The Relay Teams

The My VO2 Craziest team runner Dan McKinnon finished in 3:01, Kevin Meaney finished for My VO2 Crazier in 3:14, with Holger Kleinke 4 min behind him with a very good time. Joanne Bink finished for the Runners' Choice Distance Divas and Samantha Joseph finished in an impressive 3:21 (with a broken arm!).

Congratulations the the Guest runners from as far away as North Bay. You all did very well and we hope you join us again next year.

From the Race Director

This is truly the "Tour de France" of running and we hope that this event has exceeded everything you have wanted to accomplish physcically, mentally, and as an athlete. We also hope that this proves just how Tough you are. We have tried to make this the most satisfying race experience you'll ever encounter - the beautiful courses, the top-notch nutrionous meals taylored to your preferences and needs, physcial therapy so you can run faster the next day, and the fellowship of runners. Thank you for making this event YOUR ultimate running experience.

The Champions:

Rick Straughen is the 2011 Ultimate Male Runner who finished in 11:40:46, congratulations Rick!

Joanne Bink is the 2011 Ultimate Female Runner who completed this very tough event in 12:29:01, congratulations Joanne!

Jeff Ashizawa is the winner of the Sports Male category and finished in 6:02:52 and set a new Sports record by 1:05 min:sec that was set last year . Well done Jeff!

Johanne Audet wins the Sports Female category with a great cumulative time of 7:57:58.

The ENDURrun is a test to find who is the most complete runner. The mixture of hills, flat roads, technical trails, time-trials, hot weather, short and long distances tests the runner in every way. You've all excelled and have a facinating story to tell of your experience. We hope to see you again.

8 Days . . . 7 Stages . . . 160 KM . . . 1 Tough Runner.

ENDURrun: It's the Ultimate Test of Endurance