麻豆社区

Local runners and speed walkers were at it again on Tuesday night for the Intersport Fun Run and Walk.

With the sun shining, the event drew a large crowd, including local MP, Ryan Leef.

Leef, an experienced long distance runner who spent two years with the Canadian junior track and field team and represented Canada at the world mountain running championships, led the way on the evening

He completed the 5-kilometre distance in 17 minutes and 29 seconds.

Dominic Bradford was less than 10 seconds behind, crossing the finishing line in 17:37.

It was the first time Leef had made it to the weekly run this season and said it was a pleasure to be back amongst the running community.

"This used to be a staple part of my running diet when I was on the national team and it feels good to make it back out,鈥� he said.

"The running community is sort of a small but strong fraternity and it's good to get back and be running again. I'm going to make a conscientious effort to get out to more of these. They are great events, its good community spirit and there's a lot of camaraderie.鈥�

Leef participated in the Ottawa Marathon in June and qualified for the Boston Marathon in April of next year with a time of 2 hours and 57 minutes.

He said he plans on attending the iconic Boston event but more as an item to check off his bucket list rather than to participate as a competitive runner.

"I'm hoping to run a decent time in Boston but its one of those marathons you run simply because everyone always asks if you have you run it and if you haven't they say you aren't a marathoner,鈥� he said.

Leef is also planning on running in the Victoria Marathon in the fall. It will be the 16th marathon he's competed in.

He placed second overall in that event in 2001 but doesn't expect to be battling for the top position again.

"If I could run back in the 2 hours and 30 mark I'll be back in the top ten and that would be good for both my age and the amount of time I have to commit to something like that right now,鈥� he said.

Other top runners on the night included Emily Wale, who led the way in the 5-km event on the women's side.

She was followed by Louella Hartling-Sippel, who arrived less than two minutes later.

Coralie Ullyett rounded out the top three with a time of 26:25.

Tom Ullyet and Philip Gibson battled for the top spot in the men's 5-km walk division with Ullyet setting the pace, reaching the finish line just more than two minutes ahead of Gibson.

On the women's side Bonnie Love and Tanya Astika each crossed the finish line with a time of 35:08.

Jane Haydock-Lane and Becky Strieglers arrived shortly after.

The athletes looped around the Millenium Trail, starting and finishing at the F. H. Collins parking lot.