Unseasonable sunshine and warmth falls on 22nd annual County Marathon

The bell at Bloomfield United Church rang on repeat as congregation members joined small crowds on Main Street to cheer on runners in the 22nd annual County Marathon Sunday morning.

The early morning start at Wellington featured cool, clear weather but well before noon, intense sunshine took over, bringing with it an unseasonably warm day – reported to be about 80 F – where runners needed to watch for heat exhaustion.

Community cheers continued along the route, and at the water stations, such as the one in Bloomfield, where water and BIO steel were offered. The stations also have a washroom for those who needed to dash in, and out.

This year’s 42.2km marathon winner was Romain Carette, of Toronto, bib 244, with a time of 2:35:39,8 (in the male 30-39 age category). There were 125 runners in the full marathon.

Kieran Delamont, of Ottawa, bib 113, came second with a time of 2:47:20,0, also in running in the male 30-39 category.

Owen Recoskie, of Ottawa, bib 93, ran to third place in 2:48:58,7. He was entered in the male under age 19 category.

In fourth spot was Taylor Plumb, of St. Thomas, bib 80, (male 30-39) with a time of 2:56:35,0.

In fifth spot was Reid George, of Toronto, (bib 226) in the male 30-30 category with a time of 2:57:13,9.

In sixth was the first Prince Edward County runner to cross the line – Rhys Agombar, bib 247, (male 30-39) with a time of 2:57:32,8.

The first registered female (ages 30 to 39) to cross the line was Meghan Howell, of Belleville, in 13th place with a time of 3:07:31,5; followed by Shannon Sloane, (bib 224)of Oshawa, in 15th place (female 30-39) with a time of 3:09:36,9.

The half marathon got its start at West Lake with 736 participants.

Winner of the 21.1km half marathon was Kevin Coffey, of Kingston, running in the male 30-39 category, with a time of 1:11:35,8.

Nathan Colburn, of Loyalist, ended second, running in the male 20-29 category, with a time of 1:20:41,5

Shiv Bommegowda, of Kingston, placed third, running in the male 40-49 category with a time of 1:22:42,7

The first runner over the line, registered from Prince Edward, was Andrew Hicks, coming in 15th, and running in the male 40-49 category. Ross Gower, in the same category, placed 20th.

There were 36 relay teams registered – each team could have two to five members running six to 11 kms.

The Sunrise Squad, of Vaughan,  won the relay arriving over the line first in 3:04:26,4.

The first registered female in the half marathon (30-39 category) was Jennifer Bays, of Kingston, in 1:31:41,5; followed by Allison Alexander, of Kingston, (40-49 age category) in 1:37:21,7.

In second for the relay results were PEC your Pace, of Belleville, (bib1227) in 3:20:05,6

Third relay spot went to Team Walsh, of Belleville, (bib 1213) in 3:24:50,8

The first County team  over the line for the relay was the Hillier Crew (bib 1203) in 15th place, with a time of 4:19:20,5.

At right, vacationers renting a home in Bloomfield, walked their luggage to their car as the street was closed.

Marathon participants and community members pledged support again this year to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation as the race’s charity of choice.

Full results are to be available soon on the County Marathon website.