2014 "Sunshine" Waterloo Marathon for K-W St.John Ambulance

We had just been through one of the toughest Canadian winters in decades, so hats off to all the runners and walkers who persevered to be race fit for the 2014 Waterloo Marathon|Half Marathon on April 27th.  Spring fever was in the air as runners, volunteers, race sponsors and friends gathered under a brilliant blue sky and warming sun.

On hand to greet runners were our Ambassador of Inspiration Ed Whitlock  (above) and MP Peter Braid (below). Both welcomed the runners and volunteers, and cheered everyone on.
Emcee Bernie (below in colourful pants)  kept us on schedule and warmed up the crowd with his enthusiasm and great sense of humour.

Kitchener Waterloo MP Peter Braid

The 16th Waterloo Marathon begins!

Jeff Beech and Ed Cyr of Team Energi take off in the Half Marathon.

The Half Marathoners are off!

Ed  Whitlock was kept very busy, not only cheering runners and presenting awards,
 but also competing in the Waterloo Half.

Team Energi's  Ed Cyr (above) finished first in the half marathon in 1:21:46.  Erin Fox of Waterloo  finished first in the female category with  1:25:57.
In the women's half marathon category,  Christine Weech of Waterloo took second with a time of  1:31:47, and Abby Pawson of Waterloo placed third with a time of   1:33:19. 

 Thomas Hope of Waterloo took second in the men's category of the  half marathon with 1:23:41,                          and Luke Ehgoetz of New Hamburg took third place  with 1:23:48.

Winners of the marathon were Aaron Cooper (above) of Camlachie, finishing with a time of 2:41:39. Taylor Kraayenbrink of Sarnia took second place in 2:42:33, and Luka Senk of Collingwood placed third in 2:55:12.  

 Kait Toohey (above) of Brantford finished first in the marathon in 3:23:01.  Kelly Thomas of Cambridge took  second in 3:30:18 , and from Wellesley,  Lindsey Sutherland finished third in 3:33:30.    

Ed Whitlock and Waterloo Marathon race director Tony Lea of 
Kitchener-Waterloo St. John Ambulance.

Ed Whitlock is such a good sport! He kindly revealed his personalized bib number for a photo.
Yes, he is #1 but 83? That can't really be his age!

Ironman and triathlete coach Jeff Beech (right) with two of his "Team Energi" athletes.
 Team Energi had a stand-out performance at this year's Waterloo Marathon

Happy runners share a laugh with Ed Whitlock

The January/February 2015 edition of Canadian Running magazine includes a feature about Waterloo Region's races, from 4 km to 28 km. Sean Delanghe, a Waterloo chiropractor,  coach and avid runner says this about the Waterloo Marathon:

"The Waterloo Marathon will take you through the stunning Waterloo countryside and across the West Montrose Covered Bridge, the last bridge of this style in Ontario. The course is a certified Boston Marathon qualifier, and is the first marathon of the year in the region."

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs at registration

Pipers at the race inspire us, especially when they are at the top of a tough hill 

The St. John Ambulance Sprinter is always ready to spring into service
 with highly trained St. John Ambulance volunteers.
The Sprinter was purchased thanks to the generous support of the Waterloo Marathon|Half Marathon runners, walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters over 15 years.

Registration is open for the 2015 Waterloo Marathon|Half Marathon
Sunday, April 26, 2015, 8:00 a.m. at Bechtel Park in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
www.waterloomarathon.com