My race photos will be published on the following local newspapers: St.Catherines Standard, Niagara Community Newspapers and The Grimsby Lincoln News. Here are the transcripts.


Course Records Blown Away in Subaru Niagara Running Series
Confederation Park – Hamilton, Saturday May 20th 2006

Despite the cold and windy conditions, course records were blown away
this Saturday at the Niagara Running Series Confederation Park 5k.
Four men topped last years record set by Andre Paul Bailergeon Smith’s
15:16, while three women went under Stephanie Smith’s women’s course
record of 17:47. A pack of four runners set a blistering pace to
start the race but by the fourth kilometer only two of the four
remained ahead.

Abel Ondeyo of Kenya lead Jordan’s Station’s Jeff Scull at that point
and held off Scull’s late charge for a five second victory. Anthony
Gitau, the Peachbud 5k record holder was third in at 15:07 and Joseph
Nderitu the four time Around the Bay Road Race winner was fourth with
a time of 15:12.

Jeff Scull’s performance at the Hamilton race proved that he has the
guts, determination and talent to run with some of the best runners
around. Jeff’s results Saturday helped move him into second place in
the series standings, 10 points behind David Karanja, and 30 points
ahead of Giitah Macharia..

The female competitors also ran a tightly contested race, and broke
records like their male competitors. The race featured some of the
best distance runners in Canada and they did not disappoint those in
attendance or their fellow runners. Pauline Githuka led the race from
early on and held a slim lead over Josine Aboungono, Kate Macnamara,
Tania Jones and Stephanie Smith.

McNamara ran a brilliant race and was tucked into the pack neatly to
break the strong winds. Pauline Githuka’s time of 17:37 proved her
wind that day was just too strong and kept ahead of Macnamara.
However, Macnamara had a wind of her own, blowing past Aboungono to
finish with a time of 17:42. Macnamara is now the female series
leader, followed by Aboungono and Smith.

Despite the elements, 43 people managed to cross the line and break
the 20 minute barrier. The Subaru Niagara Running Series has a
special category for runners capable of staying inside the twenty
minute boundary. Those with the fitness and skill to finish the race
in less than 20 minutes become members of the Subaru Sub 20 Club,
where they receive a special Sub 20 hat and have their name listed in
the Subaru club.

In the accompanying 1k Joshua Turner of Grimsby was the boys winner
and Olivia Fraser was the first female to cross the line..

Over three hundred runners attended the third race of seven in the
Subaru Niagara Running series. The series continues to grow each year
and attendance is up again for 2006. The next race in the series is
the 26th annual Tim Hortons Peachbud 10k/5k/1k on Tuesday June 27th.
For more information visit the series website at www.instride.ca