Cool temps no deterrent for 352 Southern Footprints participants

A cool overcast morning greeted 352 participants and another 100 or so spectators as the 21st Southern Footprints race took place near the tip of Point Pelee National Park on Sunday, April 21.

While the amount raised has yet to be tallied, race organizer Dave Campbell said a cheque presentation to Crime Stoppers is expected to take place soon.

With race coordinator Denise Gaffan and race marketing director Jenn Johns making the event happen through their tireless work, Campbell says he’s happy knowing everything is taken care of.

First up was the popular Southpoint Sun mascot dash, with nine mascots taking part in this year’s race. 

For the third year in a row, the Windsor Warlocks mascot Blaze the Dragon was the runaway winner. He defeated such local standouts as Bomber (Windsor Spitfires), Sunny (Southpoint Sun) and Sparky the Fire Dog.

The Kids 1k dash then took place with about 50 children taking part.

All participants received medals, tote bags, towels, water and nourishment, along with a healthy round of applause from those waiting along the finish line area.

The walkers and runners then took to the course, traversing an area of roadway, beach-side trails and forest before returning to the Visitor Centre.

The Pure Flavor 5k race finished in good time with Meg Mooney taking top female and David Owens top male.

The Leamington Chrysler 10k race featured Sara Archer as the ladies winner and Michael Horrobin as the male winner.

The Crime Stoppers 15k race was dominated by Tyler Jones, who finished his 15k before a lot of runners finished their 10k. Jones took top honours on the male side while Meghan Howell was the top female.

Two special participants were highlighted as Armande Pieschke, 86 — who travelled all the way from Sault Ste. Marie — met up with 85-year-old Chet Gibula of Leamington for a special introduction before the race. Both participated in the 5k event.

Armande, who was running alongside her daughter, said she hasn’t participated in a run in about five years, but was a regular marathon runner for many years.