A perfect spring morning greeted runners at Point Pelee National Park as they took part in the 22nd edition of the Southern Footprints races. Part of a series of charity runs put on by Walkers & Runners Around the County of Essex, the April 27 event offered a mascot run, a 1K kids’ dash, a 5K walk, and runs of 5K, 10K, and an ambitious 15K.
Race Organizer Dave Campbell, Coordinator Denise Gaffan, Marketing Director Jenn Johns and Announcer Dave Orshinsky welcomed 364 participants who enjoyed snacks, drinks, swag and camaraderie following their efforts through the park forest.
This year’s proceeds from the runs will be generously donated to the local Crimestoppers, the Leamington FireFighters Benevolent Fund and Southwestern Ontario Gleaners.
The Southpoint Sun mascot dash was once again won by Blaze the Windsor Warlocks Dragon as he competed against eight other mascots.
Months of training paid off for Grace Grande as she prevailed in the Kids’ Dash and was competing in this event for the first time.
Leamington’s Pure Flavor sponsored this year’s 5K race which saw two runners from Kingsville take the respective titles, Dave Owens on the men’s side and Sylvia Ross on the women’s side.
The 10K race was sponsored by Leamington Chrysler and saw Brad Reiter take the crown in the men’s division, and all the way from Lethbridge, Janelle Bykowski taking the women’s crown.
Trillium Distribution stepped up to sponsor the Crimestoppers 15K with Chatham’s Dylan Morrison prevailing amongst the men and Leamington’s Lizbeth Coxaj prevailing amongst the women.
Grace Grande is all smiles while crossing the finish line in first place in the 1K Kids’ Dash.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Three hundred sixty-four strong are pictured heading south as they began the 5K, 10K and 15K runs.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
On the left is the male winner of the 10K race, Brad Reiter, along with Southern Footprints Director Liz Campbell, race sponsor Tim Vida of Leamington Chrysler, female winner Janelle Bykowski and Marketing Director Jenn Johns.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Organizer Dave Campbell, left, is joined by 5K female champ Sylvia Ross, Savannah Liberato from race sponsor Pure Flavor’s marketing department, 5K male champ Dave Owens and Race Coordinator Denise Gaffan.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Pictured from the longest run of the day are Southern Footprints Race Coordinatator Denise Gaffan, 15K women’s champion Liz Coxaj, 15K men’s champion Dylan Morrison and Southern Footprints Marketing Director Jenn Johns.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
