Thousands of runners hit the streets for the ninth annual Envision Financial Run for Water on Sunday morning in Abbotsford.
A total of 3,100 registered runners took part in this year’s event, with the start and finish lines at Mill Lake Park. Participants ranged from former and current high-level runners to school groups and families who ran the five-kilometre fun run together.
Money from the run will go towards providing access to clean water for people in Sasiga, Ethiopia.
Sunday’s event include the half-marathon, 10 km and 5 km routes.
Initial results indicate that Paul Kimugul of Surrey won the half-marathon in a time of 1:07:13, more than a minute better than last year’s winner, Kenyan Solomon Rotich with a time of 1:08:27.
Fellow Kenyan Leonard Kipkoech, who placed second last year, took third spot with a time of 1:12:12.
Abbotsford’s Ryan Prachnau was in fourth spot, followed by the women’s winner, Jen Moroz, of Vancouver, who finished with a time of 1:21:10.
Thomas Ungerer of New Westminster place fifth for the men and sixth overall.
The second woman to cross the finish line in the half-marathon was Alma McMurtry, with a time of 1:28:10, good for ninth overall.
Rounding out the top five for the women were Vancouver’s Lissa Zimmer (last year’s winner), who was in 10th spot overall; and Abbotsford’s Anne Szeto (13th overall); and Rhea McLachlan (22nd).
Almost 400 people competed in the half-marathon.
David Jackson of Abbotsford had the best time in the 10 km run, finishing in 33 minutes and 48 seconds. Surrey’s Tyler Ginther, last year’s winner, finished next with a time of 35:32, followed by Kirill Solovyev (35:57), Russ Esau (36:25) and Kris Warkentin (36:47).
Abbotsford’s Alexandra Siemens was first for the women with a time of 38 minutes and 43 seconds, putting her in eighth place overall. Melanie Kassel of Chilliwack took second spot with a time of 39:22 for 10th place overall, followed by Alexis Klassen (44:16, 27th overall), Candice Manning (46:49, 44th) and Bea Longhurst (47:05, 52nd).
A total of 867 participants were registered in the 10 km run.
Almost 1,900 men, women and children took part in the five-kilometre fun run, with Zain Rehmtulla posting the top time, finishing in 18:55. Samir Rehmtuall finished 23 seconds back, followed by James Kehler (19:42), Sam Brandsma (19:47) and Jack Johnston (19:50).
Jessica Kampman placed first for the woman, with a time of 20:01. Also finishing in the top five for the women were: Dayna Roth (20:43), Emily De Jager (21:18), Steph Wood (21:35) and Anna Petrbokova (21:53).
An ultra-marathon and a trail run, also held in conjunction with the Run for Water, took place yesterday (Saturday).
For complete results, visit runforwater.ca
For more photos, visit the Abbotsford News Flickr page
