While the numbers were down for the annual Lap the Lakes event, the 19 participants were very enthusiastic.
There were two routes for the participants – a 10-kilometre run and a five-km walk/run. Most of the participants completed the 10-km route.
Action Fitness hosted and organized the event on short notice this year when Focused Fitness had to bow out. Co-owner Murray Helmer says there wasn’t a lot of time to promote the event, so he wasn’t surprised the numbers were down a bit.
Helmer says he and Action Fitness co-owner Donri Heise are trying to pick up the pieces.
“Given more lead time next year, we’ll put a more focused advertising campaign together. I think we can build the numbers back up again.”
Ken Duffy, who was the lone male participating at the run, was the first across the line (37:31) in the five-km walk/run. He participated for his health and this was part of a two-year journey that has seen him lose 36 pounds through exercise, nutrition and a desire to be healthier.
Lori Cleave, who is a four-year veteran of the run, was next over the line at 37:53, followed by her daughter, Katelyn Cleave, (40:43). Lori says she ran to train Katelyn who was running because her goal is to join the RCMP.
Kerri Mingo, who was running in her first organized event, was the fourth over the line at 41:18.
Stephanie Ewen of Williams Lake finished first in the 10-km run with a time of 52:21.
The last time she ran 10 km was eight years ago in Kamloops, and Stephanie says she only runs once a week. Stephanie says she heard about the event and decided to come down to try it out.
She is in good shape because she plays Roller Derby and does a lot of strength training.
