CORNER BROOK — Nancy Jewer was first across the line in the women’s division of the first ever Star Fall 15 race Sunday, but says she can’t take much of the credit for her top female showing.
“Terra (Hynes) would have won hands down,” said Jewer, who finished in a time of 1:14:27.
Jewer was referring to Corner Brook runner Terra Hynes who was leading the women’s division until about the final kilometre. Unfortately, Hynes took a tumble and was unable to finish the race.
“It’s Terra’s race,” said Jewer. “She’s a great athlete.”
As runners crossed the finish line, many commented on battling the elements Sunday on the 15-kilometre route.
The sun was hot and wind was strong on the course that took runners from the Majestic Lawn to the end of Riverside Drive and back, finishing the last kilometre up East Valley Road and down Central Street.
Steve May said he was feeling the wind as he ran to a first-place finish in the men’s division and top finisher overall with a time of 59:30.
“The wind was a little challenging,” he said. “And the little hill on East Valley was cruel.
“The wind was switching from a tail wind to a head wind, going both directions.”
May said he met his goal of a sub four-minute kilometre, but the wind had him adjusting his approach.
“When you have a head wind, you have to acknowledge your pace is going to drop,” he said.
“Mentally, it’s a battle because (combating the wind) drives your heart rate up and you feel like you’re working really hard and not getting where you should.”
May said he is fortunate to have stayed injury-free and had such a successful running season so far.
He’s been among the top finishers in many of the 2012 Corner Brook Running Club races, and won the Marble RV Corner Brook Triathlon for the second year in a row.
