Chris Stone won the biggest race of his running career and Pauline McLean claimed yet another Bow Valley title as the wave of humanity that is Melissa’s Road Race swept through Banff for its 35th year on Saturday, (Sept. 27).
“I’ve had some amazing moments running marathons, but this is by far the biggest race I’ve ever won,” said Stone, a 34-year-old restaurant owner from Edmonton.
Stone finished the 21-kilometre run in 1:13:37, dominating the day with a comfortable lead over second-place runner Geoff Hopfner (1:16:00).
The crisp mountain air agreed with Stone, who managed the win in his first ever attempt on the course. He broke away from Hopfner at the eight-kilometre mark, and ran his own race from there on in.
“I felt the contact break (at the eight-kilometre mark). I put on a bit of a surge and that was that,” Stone said. “I was surprised to find myself in the lead. The adrenalin took over from there. I was smiling and having fun the whole time.”
After winning the race and attending a wedding in Banff, Stone is now off to Amsterdam to run his next marathon. He’s happy he got a chance to run Melissa’s after years of trying.
“It’s a legendary race in Alberta. I’ve always wanted to do it.”
Adrian Schermers of Lacombe was third.
For McLean, Melissa’s was her second Bow Valley win this year after she took top spot in the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon in Canmore earlier this month. She’s won Melissa’s twice before, and again used the day as a training run for her next big marathon in Chicago.
“I’m a lawyer in Calgary with four-year-old twins … this is my stress relief,” McLean said.
Finishing in 1:23:6, she also had a wide lead over Andrea Glover of Nanton (1:25:47), but said she was more concerned about maintaining a consistent pace versus clocking a speedy time.
“The course is so beautiful, it distracts you. You don’t get caught up in wanting to run fast. It’s still enjoyable.”
Wind played a small factor, but temperatures were perfect for running, McLean said. This was her sixth appearance, and she managed to shave nearly four minutes off her 2013 time, even though a wrong turn added an extra 300 metres to her race.
Nathan Kendrick of Calgary won the 10 km in 32:59, followed by Allan Brett (33:32) and Matthew Setlack (34:10). Emily Setlack of Cold Lake won the women’s 10 km in 36:20, followed by Maria Zambrano (37:21) and Jennifer Norminton (38:22).
The race sold out again this year, as 4,800 ran on the day. Over its 35-year history, Melissa’s has raised more than $100,000 for charity. This year, money raised will go to the Banff Community Foundation.
Organizers said they did have a problem with Parks in regard to road closures, as the bridge was closed for 10 minutes during the run.
