A lovely summer day sprung legions of runners onto downtown streets in Alberta’ capital Sunday for what Edmonton Marathon organizers say was their biggest event to date.
According to organizers, 4,500 racers took part in this weekend’s events which included the full marathon, half marathon, the Running Room’s Friendship Run, the ABC Kids Run, as well as 10 kilometre and 5 kilometre events.
Camrose’s Brendan Lunty, 38, was declared the male winner of the Edmonton Marathon, coming in at a time of 2:35:21. It’s not the first time he’s claimed victory at the event, he won the 2010 marathon as well.
“It was 15 years ago that I first started running here,” Lunty said in a news release. “I can’t say enough about what an amazing experience it has been, especially to witness the incredible support of cheering fans, I’m so happy to have won.”
Chris Stone was the first Edmontonian to cross the full marathon finish line and finished in second place with a time of 2:36:49.
“I feel good,” he said when asked about how he felt after. “It was really hard. Marathons are really, really tough and it felt hard the entire 42 kilometres but I was able to hang in there, run a time and finish in second place.”
B Kenny from Dundas, Ont. finished in third place.
Calgary’s Dawn Ladds-Bond, 37, finished first among females in the marathon with a time of 3:10:32.
“I am tired, I am hot but I am really happy,” an emotional Ladds-Bond said after the race. “Honestly, I didn’t have the race I wanted to but I toughed it out so I’m happy about that.”
Melissa Kendrick, also of Calgary, finished in second place while Fort McMurray’s Kim Marsh finished third.
Daniel Kipkoech of Kenya placed first among males in the half marathon with a time of 1:05:42. Incredibly, Kipkoech said he had only arrived in Edmonton from Africa Friday night.
Jane Murage, also of Kenya, won the women’s half marathon with a time of 1:18:10.
Calgary’s Trevor Hofbauer posted a time of 31:28 in the 10-kilometre run which was enough to give him the title while Red Deer runner Jodi Nesbitt finished first among women in the same event, posting a time of 36:48.
READ MORE: Woman carries mom across finish line at Edmonton Marathon
Marathon organizers said about 600 volunteers helped to make the event a success while about 10,000 spectators took in Sunday’s races.
Here are some of the 2016 Edmonton Marathon Final Results:
Marathon Male
1st Brendan Lunty, Camrose, AB – 2:35:21
2nd Chris Stone, Edmonton, AB – 2:36:49
3rd B Kenny, Dundas, ON – 2:39:04
Marathon Female
1st Dawn Ladds-Bond, Calgary, AB, 3:10:32
2nd Melissa Kendrick, Calgary, AB – 3:12:17
3rd Kim Marsh, Fort McMurray, AB – 3:15:17
Half Marathon Male
1st Daniel Kipkoech, Kenya – 1:05:42
2nd Andrew Lemoncello, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – 1:07:10
3rd Kip Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB – 1:08:57
Half Marathon Female
1st Jane Murage, Kenya – 1:18:10
2nd Lioudmila Kortchaguina, Markham, ON – 1:19:17
3rd Christy Lovig, Kelowna, BC – 1:20:30