NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – It was a family event here today, as all ages took part in the annual Johnny Miles Running Event Weekend, but the marathon came down to two battle-tested veterans.
Bryan Hipson of Yarmouth edged out local favourite Dave MacLennan of Scotsburn to take spot in the 42.2K race, with a time of 2:52:36.
In previous years, Hipson said the trail section of the course threw him off a little, but this time he read it better.
Bryan Hipson of Yarmouth won the 2017 Johnny Miles marathon with a time of 2:52:36, edging out Scotsburn’s Dave MacLennan by 27 seconds.
Hipson said he felt good until about the 30K mark, and was suffering cramps in his calves at the end of the race.
Hipson’s win denied MacLennan his 12th victory at the Johnny Miles marathon, but the Scotsburn runner was happy with the result. He has had a nagging hamstring issue, and said he has barely run at all since the Blue Nose Marathon a month ago.
On the fourth lap, however, he could feel himself starting to fade.
Finishing in third place was Herbie Sakalauskus of Sydney River at 2:56:43.
Top female finisher was Nancy Alexander of Timberlea at 3:28:23, qualifying for Boston one year after doing so for the first time at the Johnny Miles, in her very first marathon.
While she doesn’t plan on returning to Boston next year, she was able to answer some questions with this race.
Nancy Alexander of Timberlea was the top female marathon finisher.
The second female finisher was Petra Spires of Hubley at 3:31:34, followed by Sarah Cleveland of Fredericton at 3:36:00.
In the half marathon, Donald Rasmussen of Antigonish raced to his second straight win, with a time of 1:18:46, 41 seconds slower than his 2016 time.
Finishing second was Matt Parker of Dartmouth at 1:25:33, followed by Matthew Fraser of New Glasgow at 1:29:14. Top females were Morag McDonah of Halifax at 1:36:54, Tracy Townsend of Calgary, Alta. at 1:39:47, and Christa Hynes of New Glasgow at 1:39:58.
In the 10K, it was James Van de Sande of Antigonish, who raced to a 40:53 finish for first place.
Finishing second was Ian Thompson of Halifax at 41:35, followed closely by top female Sarah Mason of Dartmouth at 41:39. Third place male was Colin Burris of Truro at 42:05. The second female was Denita Hammond of Halifax at 44:50, followed by Janine Pelham of Halifax at 45:43.
Raymond Simpson of Merigomish won his third straight 5K race at the Johnny Miles with a time of 16:59, six seconds faster than his finish last year.
It was an all Pictou County podium for the 5K, as New Glasgow runners Maximilian Van Zyl finished in second place with an 18:53 time, followed by Joseph McCarron, also of New Glasgow, at 19:02.
Top female was Breanna Sandluck of Thorburn at 20:05.
Second female was Allie Sandluck of Thorburn at 20:20, followed by Chanelle Cameron of New Glasgow at 21:30.
A total of 1,264 participants took part in the four races on Sunday, down about 200 from last year.
Donald Rasmussen of Antigonish was the top haf marathon finisher.
James Van de Sande of Antigonish was the top 10K finisher.
Raymond Simpson of Merigomish was the top 5K finisher.