LANGLEY — Adam Booth from Seattle upset last year’s two-time champ Leon Shordon of Langley during Sunday’s 5-kilometer Chum Run at South Whidbey Community Park.
Booth bested Shordon by 77 seconds with a time of 16 minutes, 55 seconds.
Denise Patterson from Oak Harbor finished first for the women with 20:50.
For those who joined this year’s annual Chum Run, the chance to enjoy themselves with family and friends overshadowed any competitive urge.
Of course, it would have been nice to have a little sun.
The weather early on Sunday morning was downright wet; just after 1 p.m. the rain was really coming down
But in between, from the start of the 11th Chum Run at 10 a.m. until the last awards were given out by master of ceremonies Jim Freeman, there was nary a drop.
No sun, but no rain either.
“Despite everything, this was the best it’s ever been,” said race organizer Frazer Mann. “And it’s all thanks to our partnership with the Children’s Center; lots of families brought their kids and they had a terrific time.”
There were 94 race participants, 25 families walked the route and six teams entered. The event itself was a 5-kilometer race, walk and team competition over wide, groomed forest paths with a few moderate hills.
Ed Field agreed with Mann.
“It seemed like a good convergence of young and more seasoned runners,” he said diplomatically. “My daughter Annie ran a complete lap in the 8-year-old category while my son Kellen assisted as a trail monitor.”
South Whidbey High School junior Erica Johnson, who the day before had competed in the state track finals at Tacoma, found the course a little challenging. “The grass was pretty wet so the run was slow,” she said. “But I’m working up for a half-marathon in Sequim this summer and I need all the training I can get.”
Johnson’s classmates Brett Warwick and Steven Gabelein decided to run an easy race.
“Yeah, it was good until Erica passed me by,” Warwick said.
Challis Stringer enjoyed both the race and the chance to cheer on her 10-year-old daughter Grace.
“I appreciate all the effort Frazer puts into this event,” she said.
The highlight of the day was the Fry Run — when Madeline Raciot, 2, crossed the line her smile warmed the day.
“It was lots of fun,” she said.
This was the first time the family walkathon and race were held together — proceeds from the race will benefit the Children’s Center and the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District’s scholarship fund.
Children’s Center co-director Polly Schmitt said the event helps meet the center’s goal of encouraging family oriented activities.
“We focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle,” Schmitt said. “Bringing two events that already existed into one is a natural fit. As a fundraiser it helps support early learning and the after-school child care program.
“I thought the day was incredible; our families had a great time and we expect our participation to continue next year,” she said.
2007 Chum Run results
Men’s overall winner: Adam Booth from Seattle, 16:55
Second: Leon Shordon from Langley, 17:32,
Third: Ron Volbrecht from Langley, 19.16,
Women’s overall winner: Denise Patterson from Oak Harbor, 20:50,
Second place: Katherine Rogers from Clinton, 21:15,
Third place: Erica Johnson from Clinton, 21:27,
First place high school girls: Erica Johnson, 21:27,
First place high school boys: Steven Gabelein, 20:00,
First place middle school girls: Emily Martin, 25:47,
First place middle school boys: T.J. Russell, 21:06,
Winning team: “Bad Dogs,”
The winners by age group were Patricia Buchanan, 57; Blake Willeford, 63 and Katherine Rogers, 40.
The Fairy Trail Princesses, all wearing ballet attire, won best costume: Megan Scudder, Rosie Donnelly, Erin Simms, Pamela Jacques, Challis Stringer and Ron Volbrecht.
