Organizers were initially hoping to see 50 participants come out for the Athletic Alley Iron Horse mini run, a 42 km run from St. Paul to Elk Point that took place this past weekend.
That goal was completely shattered. Seventy-four people ended up participating, a 111 per cent increase from the participation of the first event in 2014, that saw 35 people come out.
Poulin told the Journal in an email that 46 of the runners were from the St. Paul/ Elk Point area. There was one out-of-province athlete from Moosinin, Sask., that participated in this race as a relay runner.
The race began at the Iron Horse trailhead by the fishing pond on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Runners could have opted to either tackle the course on their own or they could have been responsible for one of the five legs of the race as a team. The race ended at Elk Point’s Visitor Information Eco-Centre.
Sandi Capjack of Elk Point, a first time participant that took part as a member of a relay team, says the race was an enjoyable experience.
“I heard about this race from a friend who said the distance wasn’t crazy for someone that wanted to do their first race,” says Capjack. “It was a lot of fun. I am now considering doing the big race in the fall (the 100 km Iron Horse Ultra).”
Race day was a family affair for Capjack. While she tackled the big course, her daughter Jadey tackled half of the 4.2 km Iron Horse Micro Mini course designed for children age 11 and under. Her partner, Avery Warawa, took care of the other half of the race.
Heath McNamara was one of seven kids that completed the Micro Mini course solo. He felt compelled to do because he “really loves to run a lot.”
Poulin says the race ran very smoothly and that is because of a good group of volunteers and the support of race sponsor Athletic Alley and the RCMP.
The results of the second Athletic Alley Iron Horse Mini are as follows:
Solo:
1. Shane Mascarin - 3h 43 min
2. Lori Wolinski - 3h 44 min
3. Matthew McQuilkin-Vida - 4h 54 min
Teams:
1. Kenya Catch us - 3h 16 min
2. Los cincos corredores - 3h 16m 30 sec
3. Rusty Sneakers - 3h 29 min
Micro Mini Solo:
1. Kurt Poulin - 27 min
2. Ethan Hardcastle – 30 min
3. Kayden MacEchon - 34 min
3. Heath McNamara - 34 min
Micro Mini Teams:
1. Avery Warawa and Jaydee Capjack - 21 min
2. Kobe and Rylee Warawa - 23 min
