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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

13,000 are ready to run

Even a Kenyan has come to do the 26.2 miles on Father's Day

By: Jeff Hamilton

Posted: 06/16/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Thomas Omwenga, from Kenya, is entered in the full marathon. He's averaged two a year since '03 and is expected to be in the running for top spot Sunday. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Race notes

Online registration has been closed. The event is still accepting walk-in entries that can be filled out in person at the Subway Commit to Fit expo at the University of Manitoba's Max Bell Centre.
Runners who have already registered can pick up their runner numbers and chips at the expo, which will be open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Manitoba Marathon does not offer refunds, transfers or deferrals.
The weather forecast for Sunday is a high of 22 C, with a chance of showers.

Fun facts

Since 1979, runners have raised more than $4 million to benefit more than 300 projects to aid Manitobans who live with an intellectual disability.
Dennis Rinde currently holds the record for the fastest time in the full marathon at 2:13:53, set in 1981.
Bob Walker is the fastest Manitoban so far to run the full marathon, with a time of 2:19:06, also in 1981.
The fastest Manitoba woman to complete the full marathon was Bev McKay in 1983, with a time of 2:45:30.
Philip Samoei was the 2011 winner of the full marathon, with a time of 2:35:45. He will not be racing in this year's event.
Mike Booth, 31, has captured top prize in the full marathon four times (2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010).

-- Hamilton

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Len Rolfson

It's that time of year again.

The 34th annual Manitoba Marathon -- the province's largest participatory even -- is set for Father's Day Sunday and an estimated 13,000 athletes have already signed up to be part of this year's run.

One of them is 33-year-old Thomas Omwenga, who travelled all the way from Kenya to participate in Sunday's full marathon.

"I hear Manitoba is very hard with the humidity, so I pray the weather will be nice," said Omwenga, one of the few athletes who attended a press conference Friday to showcase the event.

Having run an average of two marathons a year since 2003 and winning close to 10 in that time, Omwenga is one the few runners expected to contend for top spot in Sunday's biggest race.

"When they accepted (him into the race), I felt very great," he said. "I'm planning to do my best, that's my expectations."

Then there's Len Rolfson, 64, who has participated in the full marathon every year since the Manitoba Marathon started in 1979, making him the only athlete to complete all 33 races.

"It's part of a lifestyle thing for me now. I can't see it stopping," said Rolfson, who'll have his wife and two sons cheering him on in his Sunday run.

Asked how many more marathons he had in him, Rolfson smiled. "I don't know -- 10-15 maybe. As long as I'm injury-free, I'll keep going.

"When you get this many people taking part in a sporting event of this type, or any event that's huge for the city and the province, there's just a level of excitement that builds as we approach Father's Day every year now, and it's just tremendous."

Running a 26.2-mile race isn't the only tradition for Rolfson on his special day.

"We go back to our house on the deck after the race and BBQ burgers, hotdogs, have a few beers and just relax and enjoy the day."

For Manitoba Marathon executive director Shirley Lumb, there's something particularly special about the weekend.

"The big thing for me is the very last runner," she said. "They've worked so, so hard to get to the finish line and there they are, they've accomplished it. It's just an emotional moment."

And one other thing:

"Of course, our Popsicles at the end, that's the best thing," Lumb said.

For more information, visit the event's website at www.manitobamarathon.mb.ca

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 16, 2012 C2

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