On Sunday, September 1, 19 runners from Vanderhoof took part in the 40th Annual Labour Day Classic Road Race in Prince George.
The Labour Day Classic consists of a five kilometre, 14 kilometre, 28 kilometre and a 3 by 5 kilometre relay race. The weather was hot and sunny.
Of the 19 runners from Vanderhoof, 16 came back with medals.
Many of the runners are in the Master Running Club and run on the NVSS X-Country Team.
Brian Nemethy organized nine of his cross-country runners to take part in the relay race. The teams place first at 56 minutes 22 seconds, second with 60 minutes 23 seconds, and third with 61 minutes 20 seconds in the open team category.
Runners in the first place team are: Alexander Nemethy, Georgia Verduzco, and Matthew Ebert. The second place team the runners are: Charlie Boerk, Alison Desmarais, Kaitlyn Verduzco. The third place runners are: Cierra Verduzco, Julia Steinebach, and Kyler Boucher.
“The runners in Vanderhoof are no ordinary group of people,” coach Brian Nemethy in an email. “They come to run personal best times and to improve their performance from last year’s event.”
In the five kilometre event, Simon Nemethy place third overall and first for age group; Jessica Seely was second in her age group, Sally Makin was fourth in her age group; and Angela Wheeler was first for her age group and first female overall in the five kilometre race.
In the 14 kilometre event, six runners took to the start line. Brian Nemethy, the winner from last year, was second overall this year with 50 minutes and 45 seconds and first for masters men. He was 43 seconds faster than last year. His wife, Wanda, was first with 62 minutes 45 seconds for her age group; Mini Verduzco was third for her age group, Jeremy Seely was seventh for his age group; Richard Van Erp was third for his age group; and Glenn Currie was fourth for his age group.
