Strowbridge, Theriault-Roy win Chipman 10K
August 22nd, 2017

Sixty-one runners turn out for rainy day run

By Andrew Wagstaff

Maritime Runner

Aug. 22, 2017

CHIPMAN, N.B. – Sometimes a few subtle changes can improve an already popular running event.

The organizers of the annual Chipman Road Race found this out on Saturday, when feedback was positive on both the earlier start time and a slight course change.

“Everyone seemed to love the new time of 9 a.m. and, due to big road construction on our 10K turning spot, they had to go straight on the route to turn and the consensus was they loved this change so we will have it certified into our course,” said race director Brenda Barton.

Runners gather for the start of the annual Chipman Road Race in Chipman, N.B. on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Although numbers for the event are still down compared to other years, Barton said this year’s turnout of 61 was great, considering the steady rainfall on Saturday.

The winner of the 10K race was the same runner who won it last year, Dean Strowbridge of Willow Grove, with a time of 34:42.

He was up against a tough field in the race, which was included in the Run New Brunswick Super Series.

“I had to go to Chipman knowing Greg Sawyer would be there, but it turned out, not only did he show up, Ryan O’Shea showed up too,” said Strowbridge. “We dogfought the entire race.”

The three frontrunners were running side-by-side at the 3-4K mark, before Strowbridge was able to start pulling away.

“They were both ahead of me, and I caught them at 4K,” he said. “I thought I’d stay with them for a bit until I got my bearings together, but they started making moves… Finally, when Greg came back from his third move, I decided to try and push ahead myself.”

Sawyer finished in second place at the 35:00 mark, followed by O’Shea at 35:34.

The top female finisher was Nathalie Theriault-Roy of Beresford at the 44:32 mark. It was her first time taking part in the Chipman race.

“Waking up at 4 a.m. and driving two-and-a-half hours to get there is pretty difficult, but that is part of the game,” she said. “It’s the same for all runners who want to compete. The course was great and the people were awesome in Chipman.”

Top finisher in the 5K was Carol Lynn Landry of Grand Bay-Westfield at 26:20.

It’s one of the favourite races of the year for Landry, who last year ran the 10K with one of her running idols, Eunice Phillips.

“This year, I’ve shifted my focus to short distance indoor and outdoor track, so I decided to do the 5K in Chipman, since I haven’t done much road racing,” she said. “I’m embarrassed to say that, when I arrived, I realized I had forgotten my running shoes at home.”

Fortunately for Landry, another runner was able to lend her a pair of shoes. Even though they were a size too big, they carried her to her first overall win.

“Needless to say, I had a wonderful day, regardless of forgetting my running shoes,” she said. “The organizing committee in Chipman do a fantastic job and I’ll most definitely be returning, but next time with my own sneakers.”