Sudbury Fitness Challenge making a comeback?

With an increase of nearly 20 participants in the recent Sudbury Canoe Marathon, there is hope that perhaps the Sudbury Fitness Challenge is beginning to make a comeback.

Ranging in age from 10 (Mzhiikenh Toulouse) to 74 (Vic Dunn - though Hervé Sauvé was only marginally behind at 72), the 2014 event drew a total of 68 competitors, up noticeably from the 50 or so of last June.

While many names are familiar types to those who frequent the Sudbury Canoe Club on a regular basis, many were embracing the SFC for what is was originally designed to be — a test of one's willingness to push themselves through at least some degree of athletic activity, with the pride of completion far more important than any standings in the end.

Races covered anywhere from four to 18 kilometres, with a stand-up paddle board competitor (Joe Lonsdale) included for the very first time. Following is a complete breakdown of all those who took part:

Men's 4km – Canoe
Ian Reedman (29) - Buddy Green (28) – 33:36

Mixed 4km – Canoe
Mark Nellis (47) - Denise Bellehumeur (47) – 39:36
Dave Richardson (44) - Megan Richardson (12) – 50:50
Helen Bobiwash (43) - Mzhiikenh Toulouse (10) – 1:06:43

Women's 4km – Canoe
Philippa Spoel (51) - Patricia Hennessy (59) – 35:54
Laura Young (51) - Jennifer Norwell (28) – 36:47

Women's 4km – Kayak
Laurel Myers (31) – 38:46
Kate Richards (14) – 39:55

Men's 4km – Kayak
Darren Bomhower (37) – 41:02

Stand-Up Paddle Board 4km
Joe Lonsdale (33) – 40:06

Men's 9km – Canoe
Rob Gregoris (52) - John Bolan (43) – 1:05.03
Todd Withers (51) - Brent Walker (49) – 1:05:42
Colin Ward (39) - Mikael Maki (39) – 1:08:18
Dave Welsh (53) - Clark Michlowski (54) – 1:11:30
Herve Sauve (72) - Hans Schwendener (67) – 1:14:45
Chris Gore (60) - Thomas Gore (18) – 1:15:03
Derek Reed (43) - solo – 1:01:00

Women's 9km – Canoe
Karen Renout (54) - Karen Broughton (51) – 1:21:45
Sarah Goulding (32) - Elizabeth Priebe (35) – 1:37:01

Mixed 9km – Canoe
Lance Collins (58) - Julie Alleyn (53) – 1:05:21
Bridget King (38) - Kerry Abols (38) – 1:09:02
Julie Rathwell (29) - Jack Kosmerly (44) – 1:12:31
Monika Haring (26) - Tristan Jones (20) – 1:15:44
Lela Hopper (15) - Rusty Hopper (49) – 1:18:28
Suzanne Halet (29) - Jamie Fairchild – 1:21:35
Tammy Joyce (39) - Mike Joyce (40) – 1:24:31
Craig Shea (49) - Sherry Shea (42) – 1:26:23

Men's 18km – Canoe
James Larmer (27) - John Larmer (66) – 2:05:11

Women's 18km – Canoe
Tamara Flannigan (37) - Amanda Kosmerly (43) – 2:54:48

Mixed 18km – Canoe
Sara McIlraith (44) - Neil Phipps (42) – 2:17:34
Emily Marcolini (18) - Nathan Johnston (18) – 2:34:53

Men's Kayak - 9km Open
Russ Hanson (24) – 1:02:34
Bob Hanson (64) – 1:05:28
Vic Dunn (74) – 1:06:30

Women's Kayak - 9km Open
Kelly Bowie (53) – 1:41:09

Men's Kayak - 9km recreational
Steve Arthurs (41) – 1:09:50
Stephen Ramon (34) – 1:16:50
Cameron Bowie (52) – 1:56:38

Men's Kayak – 18km
Richard Demers (48) – 2:04:01
Sam Wyss (57) – 2:07:07
Pierre Lemore (49) – 2:22:29
Lee Weitzel (53) – 2:33:37

Next up for many of the same competitors is the Ian McCloy Island Swim set for Sunday, July 20 at the Laurentian University beach.