The new OktoberFAST run organized by Athletes in Kind lived up to its name with some good racing.
Paul Craik, a competitive cyclist from Maple Ridge, won the 5K men’s race after a good challenge from Sean Gradon of Pitt Meadows. Both raced in the 40-49 age class.
Gradon made the day a family affair, and his daughter Maggie was the first woman to cross the finish line at the 10K distance.
Samuel LaChance of Maple Ridge was the fastest man in the 10K race. LaChance is a track athlete at Pitt Meadows secondary, and AiK race organizer Eric Muller remembers him running in community races in the children’s groups.
The first female in the 5K race was Tina Louise Harris of Coquitlam.
Muller said the first-ever OktoberFAST had about 150 runners, and raised $12,150.
He said that is an excellent result. After having organized some 35 races over the past 10 years, AiK is happy to get $10,000 from the more established Canada Day run in Pitt Meadows.
Most pledges raised was won by Ashlene Hutton, who raised $860.
Scotiabank at Meadowtown Centre contributed $4,000.
So far the organization has raised more than $180,000 to financially support families dealing with childhood cancer.
He expects the run, which starts and finishes in Osprey Village, to continue to be popular.
“It’s a beautiful spot with all the fall colours,” he said.
The course went up Harris Road to City Hall, around Spirit Square, through Mitchell Road Park which he calls “a little gem,” and along the Fraser River paths.
“It incorporated the best parts of Pitt Meadows.”
Ending at local brewer Foamer’s Folly for a barbecue was also popular with the runners, he said.
