14-year-old nearly takes Sudbury Rocks!!! 5 km title

There is likely no event within the Sudbury Rocks race that draws a more varied field than the Ionic Engineering 5 km race. With just under 1,000 registered participants, the run/walk draws athletes of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Little surprise that a number of the young guns were up near the front of the pack at the May 10 race, as Brandon Belan of the York University Lions took first place in a time of 18:10, with 14-year-old Elliot Lake native Nick Lambert just six seconds back.

This despite the fact that the Grade 9 student was coming off a pretty busy Saturday schedule.

"This was supposed to be kind of a recovery run, because I had a track meet yesterday (Nipissing Invitational), and I ran in four events," said Lambert. "I did pretty well today, considering the track meet yesterday."

Lambert had won both the midget boys 1500m (4:35.88) and 3000m (10:02.65) distances in Sturgeon Falls, with his sights set on a couple of very achievable goals within the next three to four weeks.

"I have the goal in mind of trying to win NOSSA, I came in second in cross-country," said Lambert. "At OFSAA, I would like to get a top ten finish."

A top-10 finish was the least of what motivates 50-year-old Rusty Hopper to take part in the race.

A mainstay since the Rocks Marathon was first introduced a decade ago, Hopper is one of three nominees for the Bill Roman Administration Award at the House of Kin Sports Hall of Fame Dinner, thanks to his non-stop efforts with the Walden Cross-Country Fitness Club.

"I'm not a runner, but ski season finishes, the snow disappears, and I have to do something before I start riding my bike," suggested Hopper. "I train for a little bit and manage to pull off a 5 km."

More than most, Hopper shares an appreciation for all of the "behind the scenes" work that goes into a busy day such as the Rocks Marathon festivities.

"It's great to get out, it's great to see people organizing an event of this magnitude, and fantastic to see the turnout they get."

Following is a listing of the top ten finishers in the 5k race, along with the remaining winners in the various age groupings:

1 - Brandon Belan - 18:10 (M20-29)
2 - Nicholas Lambert - 18:16 (M13-16)
3 - Aurel Fox-Recollet - 18:56 (M20-29)
4 - Emily Marcolini - 19:08 (F17-19)
5 - Jordan Courshesne - 20:00 (M20-29)
6 - Justin Caranci - 20:00 (M30-39)
7 - Jenna Thornber - 20:00 (F20-29)
8 - Sydney Tarini - 20:09 (F13-16)
9 - Ethan Sheppard - 20:20 (M13-16)
10 - Harry Clark - 20:48 (M-U12)

Cameron Belisle - 22:58 (M17-19)
Nathaniel Sugeng - 21:35 (M40-49)
Greg Bond - 21:30 (M50-59)
Mark Donnelly - 24:22 (M60-69)
Tay Wilson - 31:03 (M70-98)

Megan Beaudry - 23:56 (F-U12)
Morgan Vine - 24:28 (F30-39)
Amanda Kosmerly - 20:51 (F40-49)
Martha Auchinleck - 24:13 (F50-59)
Claire Zuliani - 32:03 (F60-69)
Helene Vachon - 33:31 (F70-98)