Off to a good start

On a busy weekend for club members, 2 got it off to a good start on Saturday. Kevin O'Neil and Keith Lascelles went to Pickering to take part in the Seaton Trail 52k, the first race in the Ontario Ultra Series for the year. This was the longest race or run for either and Kevin won in a time of 5:15, Keith came 3rd in 5:27 (1st Masters >45).
Be sure to watch the Boston Marathon Website tomorrow for updates on some of our local athletes.
Race Results available at http://ouser.org/results/08/st08.pdf

Boston Marathon Weekend

The highlight of their running careers for some, the Boston Marathon takes place on Monday April 21st. This year is extra special as the US Womens Olympic Marathon trials take place on Sunday. We have a number of representatives going down this year. Oliver Owens, Jamie Nielson, Donnie Ellis & Zora Luckett (if we've missed anyone let us know). Good luck to all and have great time.

Huronia Half Marathon

The Huronia Half Marathon is coming up on Sunday April 27th in Midland. A challenging course that has in the past, had some challenging weather to go along wiht it, is well worth doing. The chances of winning prizes (boxes of frozen chicken) are possible for most. Last year the weather was beautiful. A great small race, well worth doing. There is also a 2 person relay, 10k, and 2k fun run for the kids.
If you want a brochure/application send us an e-mail at Barrie.RoadRunners@gmail.com and we'll send you one.

Five Ten Event, May 17th in Lindsay

On May 17th there is a 5 & 10k Trail race in the Lindsay area. For more information click the link here:

http://www.fivetenevent.com/

Deena Kastor Interview & VIdeo

The following video shows some of the "terrible" coniditions elite athletes have to contend with when training, if only we could be so lucky as to train in such a beautiful place.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1459208349/bclid1460782882/bctid1472348038

For the interview go to http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-239-419-0-12540-0,00.html

The Human Limit

The following article appears on an online edition of Blue Ridge Outdoors.
Very interesting at how far a human can push themselves and how much damage is being done.

THE-HUMAN-LIMIT

USATF Proposes Helmet Rule

USATF Proposes Helmet Rule
If USA Track & Field has its way, we could all be wearing helmets in our next 5-K or marathon. (Well, at least the larger ones.)

A proposed amendment to the 2009 Rules of Competition, being debated by the governing body's Long Distance Running Division, states that...

Persons in any USATF-sanctioned running event with 500 or more participants shall be required to wear a protective helmet that meets or exceeds the CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission) standards, as set by the federal government. The helmet must be securely fastened to the participant's head and must not block or impair the participant's field of vision. The helmet must be worn at all times during the event.

Failure to adhere to any of these requirement will result in penalties up to and including disqualification.

Delegates to this year's USATF convention will debate and vote on the measure when they meet in November.

In a statement, the governing body said it was acting out a concern for runners' safety -- and in recognition of liability fears.

"Races are getting more and more crowded," said USATF spokeswoman Isabella Adler in a recent conference call with reporters. "It's only a matter of time before someone gets jostled, falls, and hits their head on a curb. If that happens, the race director has blood on his hands -- literally."

Adler suggested that runners might look to cycling helmets, if the rule is approved. With advances in technology and design, Adler noted, today's helmets are light, comfortable, and well-ventilated.

"You hardly know you're wearing a helmet at all," she said, noting that she has taken several "test runs" while wearing a cycling helmet made by Bell.

Officials drew parallels between the helmet mandate and USATF's earlier rule banning headphones and portable music devices in races.

"Just like with the headphone rule," said Adler, "it's a simple matter of safety."

Click here to read more.