Runners persevere through rain and fog for 50K ultra marathon on East Coast Trail
Despite the weather, 100 runners show up at the ultra marathon's start line
Despite the rain, drizzle and fog, 100 runners took part in the East Coast Trail ultra marathon on Saturday.
Runners had to battle the slippery slopes of the East Coast Trail network for 50 kilometres to the finish at Quidi Vidi in St. John's.
Race director Don Clarke said everyone was in great spirits despite the wet day.
"We have a fantastic trail running community here," said Clarke. "It's very easy for you to get in and get involved, find someone to run with."
For the second year in a row, Wayne Walsh finished in first place, breaking his own course record with a finish time of 4:59:35.
Second place went to Jordan Fewer with a time of 5:07:46, and third place to John Adams, crossing the line at 5:27:14.
The first woman to cross the finish line was Tanya Joy with a finish time of 6:13:08, placing her 12th among the field of 85 runners who finished the race. Shantell Butress placed second among female runners with a time of 6:29:55, while Nicole Hollohan had the third-fastest female posting, with a time of 6:37:52.
Groups of supporters gathered at the finish line to cheer on runners as they ran the home stretch down the wharf at Quidi Vidi.
Erik Veitch, who used to live in St. John's, participated in the race while on a trip back to Newfoundland from Norway, where he now lives.
"It's amazing to see that people come out despite the terrible weather and support … something that could easily be called crazy and pointless," said Veitch, surrounded by a group of supporters.
"It's really moving."
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