Wheatley hosts virtual Detroit Half Marathon

Submitted by Christine Hopper

The 23 participants could not have asked for a more perfect day to run, bike or walk in the ‘Detroit Virtual Half Marathon – Wheatley Style’ run, this past Saturday, October 17.

Nine out of the 23 runners were signed up for the annual Detroit Free Press Half Marathon Weekend. Due to COVID-19, the Marathon Weekend was cancelled, but they offered their registrants the opportunity to run their race virtually, and that is just what they did.

In the photo above, three runners make their way through the natural setting of Wheatley Provincial Park.

Below, Jamie Davie traverses the trails at the park on his way to completing his first half marathon.

A 21.1km (well, maybe 22km), course was set up around Wheatley, highlighting the beauty of the community.

The participants started at the Talbot Trail Golf Course, running holes #1 and #2, then ventured out to run the remainder of the course, which included the Wheatley Provincial Park, the new Grant Bowman Trail, Holiday Harbour and various sites around the town, making their way back to the course for some post run snacks and celebrations.

Kim Grubb (left) and Christine Hopper (organizer) take a break for a quick photo-op with Captain Wheatley.

The participants, coming from Wheatley, Leamington and Belle River, thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the course

“I felt like I was on vacation,” said one participant. “It is so pretty here."

Congratulations goes out to all participants who completed the course and a big congrats goes out to Mitchell Prudence, Kalan Ricci, Jamie Davie, Sam Silvius, Mackenzie Lecours and Carly Wright for completing their first Half Marathon.

Special thanks go out to Talbot Trail Golf Course, Ken Dawson, the course crew/guides, Donna Matier, The Southpoint Sun and the community members who set up water stations. We look forward to the Second Annual next fall.

Samantha Silvius holding the Detroit Half Marathon Finisher ribbon after her first half marathon.