Southern Footprints attracts record numbers

By Mark Ribble

Despite the cool temperatures and intermittent sleet to start the day, the annual Southern Footprints races went off without a hitch at Point Pelee on Sunday, April 23.

Organizer David Campbell was happy to welcome 389 adult participants, 55 children and 16 local mascots to the races and credited his team of volunteers with making the event as successful as it is.

“This could not be accomplished without our volunteers,” said Campbell. “They do a lot of work.”

Despite the largest crowd they’ve seen, the committee managed to pull off a hiccup-free event, which was supported by numerous sponsors.

The morning started off with the popular mascot race, which featured a record 16 participants. The mascot race was won by Windsor Warlocks mascot Blaze, who was the defending champion this year. Honkers — the goose mascot from the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary – finished a close second.

The mascot race was organized and put on by Crimestoppers, who will benefit from the proceeds once they are totalled in the coming days.

Lunch and snacks were provided by Green Heart Kitchen and Pure Flavor Farms, while the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners provided apple chips and water.

All participants received medals, including the mascots. The medals were designed by committee member Denise Gaffan.

The mascot race was followed by the Kids 1k Dash, which included lots of photo moments for parents and many cheering opportunities for bystanders as the youngsters approached the finish line.

The 5k walk got underway the same time as the 5k run, the 10k run and the 15k run, with competitive runners at the front of the pack as the group left the start line.

The 5k competitive win-

ners were Meg Mooney and David Owens, while the 10k race was won by Meghan Howell for females and Patrick Benson in the male category.

The female winner in the 15k race was Eva Breault, while Evan Bruce took top honours on the male side.

The race timing and results were handled by W.R.A.C.E. and announcing was handled by longtime voice of the event, Dave Orshinsky.

The start to the adult 5k, 10k and 15k saw 389 participants leave the starting line. SUN photos

About 55 kids participated in the Kids 1k dash.

Lindsay Gammon from Pure Flavor, left, congratulates 5k run winners David Owens (male) and Meg Mooney (female), alongside Southern Footprints volunteer Denise Gaffan, right.

David Campbell, left, and Denise Gaffan, right, present the 10k winners with their awards. Meghan Howell won the female division and Patrick Benson won the male race. The award was sponsored by Leamington Chrysler.

The 15k winners Eva Breault, second from left, and Evan Bruce, third from left, get their awards from David Campbell, left, and Denise Gaffan, right.

Chloe Ewen gets a little help from her dad Austin, as she crosses the finish line during the fun Kids 1k Dash as part of the Southern Footprints race at Point Pelee National Park on Sunday, April 23.

Windsor Warlocks mascot Blaze made it two years in a row as he led the pack in the mascot dash. Closely behind him is Honkers the Goose, followed by Bomber, the mascot for the Windsor Spitfires.

Officials took time to honour sponsors during the event. David Campbell, left, and Denise Gaffan, right, gave plaques to Brian Cornies of Speedprint and Bill Kehn of Bill Kehn Realty.