Southern Footprints draws 335 participants

By Mark Ribble

POINT PELEE — The 13th annual Southern Footprints community run returned to the trails of Point Pelee National Park on Sunday, April 24, drawing 335 participants.

The sun was shining and the warm temperatures allowed for a large turnout of runners, walkers, spectators and mascots.

Yes, the annual mascot race was held again with no less than 13 area mascots taking part in the annual fun dash. Crime Stoppers, who organized the mascot race, had them well-prepped for the festivities as they took the time to interact with many of the youngsters present.

Participants in the 5k, 10k and 15k run leave the start line.

When the dust settled on the race, the Windsor Warlocks Dragon mascot left the start line quickly and was never challenged, winning in convincing fashion. The Holy Names Knight finished second, with the Giant Tiger mascot taking bronze.

Other participants included Sparky the Fire Dog, Geoffrey the Toys R Us Giraffe, Special Olympics Polar Bear, Snoil from LDSS, Griff from St. Clair College, Stewie The Tomato, Sunny from the Southpoint Sun, Elmer the Safety Elephant, Essex Windsor EMS mascot Siren and the giant shoe from the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Once the mascots were put away, the racing began with the 1k kids fun event. About 50 youngsters took part in the race and each got a medal and snacks after they finished, with the crowd eagerly cheering them to the finish line.

the mascots line up for the annual mascot race, which was won by the Windsor Warlocks Dragon.

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When the adults took to the course — which began at the Visitor Centre, turned south on the roadway toward the tip and came back around to the Visitor Centre via the woodland trails — it took about 16 minutes to see the first finisher.

The 5k race winner — Matt Lafleur from the St. Clair College track team — cruised through the course with the greatest of ease, besting the field by a wide margin. Lafleur was joined on the podium by Meg Mooney, who was the top female finisher in the 5k event. The 5k race was sponsored by Leamington Chrysler.

5k winners, Meg Mooney, left and Matt Lafleur flanking organizer David Campbell.

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The 10k event was also no contest when it came to speed as St. Clair’s Tyler Jones bested the field on the circuit that was sponsored by Pure Flavor. Addison Pollard joined him for the cermony as the top female finisher in the event.

The 15k event was won by Ricky Nepomuceno, also of St. Clair College, who completed the trifecta for his school by cruising through the circuit three times to finish on top. Eva Breault took the female award as the top 15k finisher in that category.

10k winners, with Addison Pollard on the left, followed by race volunteer Denise Gaffan, Pure Flavor rep Lindsay Gammon and Tyler Jones, who bested the field on the 10k course.

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Race organizer Dave Campbell was thrilled with the turnout and the excitement showed by everyone in attendance.

“It’s so good to be out here again,” he said. “Welcome everyone, and I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

Campbell said that there were 377 participants signed up ahead of the big day, but there were a few no-shows. He was still thrilled with the turnout.

15k winners Ricky Nepomuceno, left, and Eva Breault, right, while Jenn Johns from the race committee is in the middle.

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“We’re happy to be able to offer this again after two years of missing it,” he said.

Emcee David Orshinsky led the runners through their paces, with encouraging words and precise instructions as the event went off without a hitch.

The weather couldn’t have been better, with Campbell commenting that they would have normally been there the week before if not for the Easter weekend.

“That would have been a cold one,” he said.

Campbell said they are aiming to donate $3,500 to Crime Stoppers from the proceeds this year.