More than 600 runners take on the 21st County Marathon challenge

Cow bells rang out (along with church bells in Bloomfield) as gatherings of spectators cheered 624 racers participating in the 21st annual County Marathon on Sunday. A mix of sun and cloud provided near perfect conditions.

Racers started in Wellington, ran to Bloomfield and down County Road 12 to West Lake where the half marathon started. Racers then travelled along County Roads 11 and 10, through downtown Picton to the finish line at the fairgrounds.

Full marathon runners in red bibs go 42.2km; half marathon (in blue bibs) go 21km and the ultra runners (bibs are yellow on white) do 50km with an additional loop on Lakeshore Lodge Road and Lakeview Trail.

Winner of the full marathon was Owain Jones (bib 1137) of Harrowsmith, in the male age 40-49 category in 2:54:55. Second place went to Jacob Richardson, (bib 1106) of Belleville, in the male age 20-29 group in 3:07:08 and third went to Davey Elder (bib 1135), of Toronto, in 3:12:39, also in the age 20-29 group.

The top female marathon runner was Amy Quilty (bib 1112), of Rossmore, placing 17th overall in the ages 50-59 group in 3:32:43.

.She was followed by Brooklyn O’Reilly, (bib 1084) of Gatineau and Rachel Windsor (bib 1025) of Toronto.

Bird Loreto, (bib 1127) of Picton, finished eighth overall, and second in the male ages 30-39 category in 3:24:02.

The Ultra category 50km winner was Martin Lavoie (bib 1002) of Saguenay, racing in the male age 50-59 category – in 4:38:15. In second was Jorden Bentley, (bib 1015) of Hamilton Township racing in the male age 30-39 category in 4:39:50. In third spot was James Thomas, (bib 1019) with no address listed, in the age 40-49 group in 4:42:59.

The top female Ultra racer was Robin Leriche (bib 1009), of Kingston, racing in the female ages 50-59 group, in 4:51:00  followed by Katja Zbogar (bib 1006) in 6:29:49.

Winner of the half marathon was Shengan Li, (bib 1618), of Kingston, in the male age 20-39 category, in 1:15:34, followed by Kyle Legere (bib 1660) of Trenton in the male age 30-39 group in 1:22:02; and Luke Winston (bib 1763) of Kingston, in the male age 30-39 category in 1:23:47.

Elaina Raponi (bib 1679), of Lennox and Addington, was top female half marathon racer landing in fourth place overall, racing in the ages 30-39 group in 1:24:06. She was followed by Lisa Whitwell, of Roslin and Mackenzie Lemmon, of Kingston.

Also notable among half marathon winners is Vicky Vachon (bib 1610), of Prince Edward County, who won top spot in the female age 70 and over category.

Kaylee Wyngaarden (bib 1248) and Monique Vanberkele, (bib 1253) both of Carrying Place, won the two top spots in the female age 19 and under group.

Volunteers rang the cow bell in support, and pointed the way for marathoners to switch from Bloomfield Main, to Mill Street.

The Mill Street water station – complete with cheering and music as well – was voted ‘the best so far’ by this incoming runner.

Some vehicles were allowed on the roads, the drivers being told to be careful.

The Stanley Street Bloomfield section included a pit stop, and a the delightful scent of fresh produce at Van the Grootheest Farm Stand before heading down County Road 12 to West Lake and the Sandbanks.