Gilbert Kiptoo set out to run the Firefighters Ten Mile Road Race in less than 50 minutes.
The Kenyan missed his target by a mere 15 seconds, but it was still easily enough for him to capture his third straight title at the annual Victoria Day event, his 50:14 time beating out fellow countryman and friend Phillip Kipchumba by almost two minutes.
“It feels good,” Kiptoo said Monday morning.
“I kept pushing. I was ready for this race. I wanted to run something like 48 (minutes), but running alone is (difficult).”
The race was never really in doubt. Kiptoo broke free early and was well out in front as the runners made the turn at Marina Park, the halfway mark of the 102-year-old event.
“I wanted actually run 23 minutes going down and then maybe coming back something like 25. But it was a bit windy and it was very hard to push alone. And also the first mile was too (fast),” he said.
Kiptoo, who plans to run a marathon in Montreal and return to Thunder Bay for the Miles With the Giant Marathon in September, said he plans to use the $1,000 first prize to help his family back in Africa, with the rest being donated to needy children in his home community.
On the women’s side it was a familiar face out in front, though one local race enthusiasts haven’t seen in a few years.
Duluth’s Katie Koski, a seven-time champion, captured No. 8 on Monday, her first win since 2009 and her fastest finishing time (59:14) since 2002.
Koski, who qualified for the American Olympic marathon trials, called it one of her favourite races of the year and said she was glad to make a victorious return.
“It was really awesome for me to come back to Thunder Bay. I’ve been here a few times already,” she said.
“I’m pretty happy because I’m running as fast as I was 10 years ago. I’m 39 right now, so the fact I ran pretty close to my marathon personal record this past year. Anything under 60 minutes at the Ten Mile I’m happy with. I’m in good shape. I’m kind of in a high training mode right now. I backed off a little bit for this race.”
Koski, who finished 13th overall, topped Thunder Bay’s Nikki Wilberforce, a two-time Ten Mile champion, by 2:59.
Wilberforce said she was striving for a time, rather than a result, and though top spot would have been nice, taking the top local race and the $250 for being the first Northwestern Ontario-based female runner to cross the line was a nice consolation prize.
“As I get older it’s more about the time than the place,” she said, chuckling a bit after her 1:02.13 performance.
“I was kind of hoping to break the record for our age group, and I didn’t do that. That would have been 61:20 … It was faster than the last couple of years, so I was happy with that.”
Koski was a worthy foe, Wilberforce added.
“She always runs a really smart race and starts out nice and solid and picks it up. I knew she would do that, so it’s pretty hard to stay with her. She’s a great runner.”
Five-time champion Jon Balabuck was the top regional finisher on the men’s side, crossing the line sixth overall in 54:36.
At this stage in his career, it’s a result he’ll take.
“You know what. You wake up and the sun’s beating down on your back, you can’t complain, regardless of the time. It’s great to be out there with tons of people and lots of support. The firefighters came through once again.”
About 750 runners took part in the 10-mile run, while an additional 225 entered the relay race.
Top finishers (time):
Gilbert Kiptoo (50:14)
Phillip Kipchumba (52:02)
John Heitzman (52:18)
Paul Carr (52:46)
Rodney Hulstein (54:24)
Jon Balabuck (54:36)
Mark Maronese (54:56)
Trevor Zimak (54:56)
Dominique Aulagnon (55:35)
Jonas Holmberg (55:58)
Antonio Pucci (56:54)
Ryan McDonald (59:10)
Katie Koski (59:10)
Jarrow Wahman (59:40)
Douglas Scott (1:01.19)
Claudio Pietrobelli (1:01.40)
John Martinsen (1:02.06)
Nicki Wilberforce (1:02:06)
Ramon Verardo (1:02.20)
Bill Krezonoski (1:02.25)
Greg Kilroy Powassan (1:02:29)
Werner Schwar (1:03.09)
Jason Lucas (1:03.25)
Jess Koski (1:03.49)
Bryan Shanks (1:04.17)
Jim Keyes (1:04.20)
Kyle Gilbert (1:04.28)
Hilary Quirion (1:04.30)
Chris Fralick (1:04.32)
Jamie Shippam (1:04.38)
Peter Lovis (1:04.44)
Michael Maronese (1:05.27)
Petri Bailey (1:05.32)
Marko Ahokas (1:05.42)
Rodney Puumala (1:06.00)
