Sherwood Park man wins marathon
David Corbett has been thinking about running in the Red Deer Woody’s RV World Marathon and Half Marathon for some time, but it always seemed to be at the wrong time of the year.
The 37-year-old from Sherwood Park decided he’d make time to run this year and it couldn’t have worked out any better as he easily captured the 10th annual affair in a time of two hours, 44 minutes, 18 seconds Sunday morning.
“I’ve talked about coming here for years, but it’s so early in the season I was never ready for it,” he explained. “This year, I decided to go for it.”
Women’s champion, Claudette Augert of Edmonton, was also making her first appearance at the Red Deer event. In fact it was her first time in the city.
“I’ve drove past several times but never been in. It’s great,” she said with a smile.
Augert finished 13th overall in 3:15:08.
Corbett, who won the Edmonton marathon last year, dominated the race, despite stopping at the midway point for a restroom break.
“I was with the lead group until I stopped, then I had to speed up to catch up and I just kept that pace the rest of the way,” said Corbett, who finished 10 minutes 15 seconds ahead of Brendan Lunty of Camrose. Colin Lee of Calgary finished at 2:55:05.
Corbett was pleased with his time, although he felt he didn’t push himself.
“The time was good as I basically came in for a jog,” he said, adding he also felt he could win.
“I defeated the guy who was second a couple of times before, but there were supposed to be a couple of other guys who would have been strong contenders, but I didn’t see them.”
Corbett was only running his eighth marathon, but has always been a long distance runner.
“I ran track and was always better at long distances. I seemed to be able to out-run everyone,” he said.
Corbett will continue to run marathons, but has a goal of competing for the Canadian mountain running team.
“I’ve always competed locally, but I would like to run for the Canadian team and I think it’s time to get serious to do that.”
The win was the first of her career for Augert, who has competed in “32 or 33” marathons.
“This is definitely one of my most exciting races, although I did finish seventh in the master’s division in Boston and that was a huge highlight,” said the 44-year-old, who was originally from Manitoba, where she started running in 1997.
“I ran with friends and being a little competitive, I felt if they could do it so could I. Once I started, I enjoyed it and was hooked.”
Augert started Sunday’s run with three friends, but eventually was on her own. In fact she took over the lead by the 12km mark.
“I wasn’t sure I was in front, but I kept hearing some comments that I was the first lady.”
Joylin Nodwell of Calgary, who won the 2007 race, finished second and 16th overall at 3:20:15, with Annie Rogoschewsky of Red Deer third and 22nd overall, at 3:26:12.
Rogoschewsky was running her 15th marathon, but was making her first appearance in the Woody’s race. She has competed in the half marathon twice before.
“Third place is a nice way to start,” said the 39-year-old, who didn’t go into the race with thoughts of a top-three finish.
“I don’t pressure myself with high expectations. I set a pace and try to keep it if I can. It’s really anyone’s race. It depends on how you feel that morning. There’s a lot of good runners out there.”
Rogoschewsky got into running close to 20 years ago, when she was in college.
“It was something to do when I was training to be a nurse,” she said. “It took some stress off from school and it snowballed from there.”
• Brian Torrance of Edmonton won the half marathon in 1:14:28, with Dallas Raudenbaugh of Edmonton and formerly of Blackfalds, second at 1:16:34. Dylan Hackenbrook of Red Deer was third at 1:17:16.
Stephanie Mills of Edmonton was the top female, placing 19th overall, at 1:28:22. Krissy Dooling of Edmonton was second and 26th overall at 1:30:45, with Devon Plesuk of Calgary third and 35th overall at 1:33:35.
Jodi Sanguin was the top Red Deer finisher on the women’s side, placing fifth and 40th overall, at 1:34:36. She was the top runner in the 19-and-under age class.
For top three finishers in all categories, see Page C5.
Contact Danny Rode at drode@reddeeradvocate.com
