News

Surprise 10K winner at Calgary’s women’s only run

August 30, 2010
By Mihira Lakshman

Triathlete Rosemarie Gerspacher took the 32nd edition of the Calgary Women’s Run 10K, winning Sunday’s race at Shouldice Pool Park in 37:12.

Gerspacher expected national team runner Lisa Harvey to win the race, but Harvey opted for the 5K instead.

“When I saw [Harvey] go out hard I figured she was doing the 5K but you never know,” Gerspacher told the Calgary Herald. I was pleased when she turned around!”

Harvey went on to win the 5K title in 18:15.

The women’s only race brought out a cooperative spirit in the runners, who seemed more focussed on helping each other achieve good results.

Organzier Margaret Carleton-Glover pointed to a group of four women holding hands as they crossed the finish line. “How many guys will do that?”

“For [some], this is the most exhilirating thing they have ever done. And women [can] see other women doing something that’s really big for them.”

The Calgary women’s run raised $6,000 for the YWCA.

There was also a women’s-only race at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Park, on Saturday.

Toronto’s Beth Wightman took the 10K in 37:03, barely edging training partner Nicole Stevenson, who received the same time.  Toronto’s Rebecca Patten won the 5K in 19:01.

Full Results available at sportstats.ca.