RACE DIRECTOR'S WELCOME 2011
On May 24th 2010, Thunder Bay celebrated the Centennial Running of the Firefighters 10 Mile Road Race.
It was a resounding success. A record 1013 runners celebrated the 100 years of race tradition and received a Ten Mile Centennial Medal struck to commemorate the occasion. Another strong showing by Minnesota runners was led by Leslie Semler from Hermantown who won women's overall in a time of 62:28. Eric Hartmark came within a whisker of making it a 3-peat for the men's title, cracking the 50 minute barrier for only the second time in his running career and posting the fastest time ever by a Duluth runner. Gilbert Kiptoo of Kenya became the first African-born runner to win the Ten Miler in a time of 49:50 while his compatriot Philip Kipchumba finished third overall with a time of 51:39.
Top local performances were turned in by Nikki Wilberforce [2nd overall with a time of 63:37], and Paul Carr [4th overall with a time of 56:04]. Sue Kainulainen finished in 67:34 eclipsing the record for the 45-49 age group set by Kelly Rogers of Esko, Minnesota in 2004. The Participation Award was won by the Fresh Air Experience Training Group to recognize the 190 runners they trained in preparation for the race. A relay team of Thunder Bay Fire Fighters burdened in a respirator and full turn-out gear ran the race as a unique demonstration event, and a separate start for relay runners heightened the competition and suspense for that event.
It'll be tough to cap a year like that. However, consider the fact that this year we launch the Second Century of one of the most enduring road races on the continent! The Around The Bay Race in Hamilton is the oldest race in North America, dating from 1894. The Boston Marathon was first run three years later, in 1897. That’s the league that the Ten Mile Road Race finds itself in…. established in 1910, steeped in history and tradition..... the oldest ten miler in Canada, and Thunder Bay’s premier running event.
For 2011 cash prizes are again in play, prize money for second and third has been enriched, and for the first time, cash prizes will be awarded for the overall top male and female from Northwest Ontario. Individual runners will be contending for a record 26 age-class awards. Relay runners will start in a separate wave to heighten each team’s awareness of their place in the field. Our 2010 champions will be back to defend their titles, and all kinds of runners will be striving to achieve at new levels. The finishers’ medals that were so popular last year have been continued with a fresh casting for 2011, and an attractive new line of attractive race apparel is on the way.
The race route remains unchanged. It's a fast, flat, out-and-back along the shores of Lake Superior that invites a blistering pace from the top competitors, and invites everybody to achieve a 'personal best'.
Great races are the product of a strong running community, enthusiastic spectators, wonderful sponsors and fantastic volunteers. The Firefighters Ten Mile Road Race is very fortunate to enjoy all four.
Without our sponsors and supporters, we could never stage the race at the level you see it today. As Title Sponsor, the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association has set the spirit of the event since 2004. The addition of Half Way Motors Nissan as Presenting Sponsor since 2010 has opened the door to explore new opportunities that enhance what is already a great event. We're immensely proud of all the sponsors on the Ten Mile Road Race Team today, and we invite you to take a few moments after the race to scan our sponsor boards and appreciate the incredible contribution they make on behalf of the event and the community.
The Ten Mile Road Race is a community celebration, and it’s the breadth of involvement in the event that makes it truly special. Spectators and almost 200 volunteers play an enormous role in generating excitement about the race and spurring on every runner to perform to their potential. Anybody who's participated in an event like this wll attest to the powerful impact of a cheering crowd. Crowds have become more boisterous as the field has exploded in recent years, and we’ve got our fingers crossed that this year’s weather will make it a perfect `Day At The Race’.
Roads along the race course will, once again, be closed for the safety and enjoyment of runners, volunteers and spectators. We’d like to express our sincere appreciation to all those who live or conduct business in the affected vicinity. The short-term inconvenience that you endure makes it possible to provide this historic sporting event to the considerable benefit of the larger community. Every effort will be made to reopen roads to normal vehicular traffic as quickly as possible after the race is completed. And please rest assured that emergency vehicle access to your properties continues throughout the race.
Since inception the Ten Mile Road Race has transitioned from an elite start line backed by buzzing spectators, to contemporary start lines that fill the street with participants from all corners of the community, running to celebrate their fitness and commitment to healthy lifestyles. The Ten Mile Road Race has become a healthy habit. It provides both a purpose and a prestigious destination for those dedicated to fitness and good health.
On May 23rd the Firefighter's Ten Mile Road Race will launch the second century of a race that draws an international field of over a thousand runners, including your family, your friends and your neighbours down the street. The gun goes off at 9AM. See you at the start line!
Mark J. Smith
2011 Race Director
