Record-breaking participation at St. Albert's RunWild marathon

Nearly 3,000 participants raced through downtown St. Albert and the surrounding area for this year’s RunWild charity marathon event. That’s a record-setting figure for RunWild, now in its 13th year.

This year the event raised money for the St. Albert Senior Centre, the Zebra Child Protection Centre and the Chinook and Caribou child advocacy centres.

Roughly 900 children aged four– 12 participated in “MaraFun” runs in satellite events in Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove.

“The community is so strong in St. Albert, so it's always been behind us,” said Grant Fedoruk, event organizer and president of Leading Edge Physiotherapy, which hosts the event.  

Fedoruk said he “couldn’t explain,” why the event has become so popular. “Maybe it’s just the right feeling about getting involved and making a difference in the community,” he said.

Marathoners come from all over.

It was the first time Edmonton runners Jeff and Becky Motyka participated, and it was also the couple’s first half marathon. RunWild has 5k, 10Kk and half marathon (roughly 21k) races.

The couple said they were “nervous” as they headed to the starting line outside St. Albert Place, with 15 minutes to go before the marathon started.

“It’s early in the spring I don't have to ruin my summer training, so I can get it over with in the spring,” Jeff Motyka said.

Last year RunWild saw 2,800 participants. It has raised over $717,000 since it started in 2011.

Here are this year’s winners and their times:

5k female: 

1. Glynis Milne Edmonton 20:03 
2. Hannah Gregory Edmonton 20:22
3. Alexis Scheider St. Albert 20:40 

5k male: 

1. Turner Hills Edmonton 19:03 
2. Daniel Gregory Edmonton 19:15 
3. Luke Shopland St. Albert 20:32 

10k female: 

1. Krystle Taylor Edmonton 40:11 
2. Kathryn Durell Sherwood Park 41:04 
3. Maureen Newton Edmonton 44:48 

10k male: 

1. Ben Colliou St. Albert 40:25 
2. Nicolas Wang Calgary 40:56 
3. Scott Messenger Parkland County 42:23

Half female 

1. Lisa Clark Spruce Grove 1:33:50 
2. Terri Beebe Leoville 1:36:04
3. Amanda Van Brabant Sturgeon County 1:36:28 

Half male 

1. Samy Seifeddine Edmonton 1:24:49 
2. Terence Palmer Edmonton 1:27:00
3. Vaughn L'Heureux Edmonton 1:28:35