Repeat Winners of Y Half-Marathon

By Kelly Sharp

   Jacqui Benson ( on left ) won her second overall women’s title in Y Half Marathon

It was great weather for a barbecue, but not for a road race. Over 300 runners battled the warm conditions in the 21st annual Prince George Family Y road race. The 21 kilometer course provided little, if any shade for the half-marathoners who began the race at 17 degrees Celsius. Despite slower times than last year, Brian Nemethy of Vanderhoof and Jacqui Benson of Prince George repeated their overall titles. Nemethy recorded a winning time of 1:23: 34.

“The heat made it really hard this year, the 45 year-old Nemethy said.

 Similar to last year, the Nechako Valley Secondary teacher was never pushed for first place, running most of the 21K by himself. Steve Matyas of Prince George moved up a placing from last year, crossing the finish line second overall at 1:25:23. Nemethy, who will turn 46 years-old this week, was the holder of 5 back-to-back Family Y marathon titles before low registration cancelled the 42 kilometer event.

 Former national ski-member Jacqui Benson persevered in what she called hot conditions to post the best women’s overall half-marathon time of 1:33: 02, 21 seconds faster than Page Howat of Prince George.

Grant Yule calmly drank water after completing the 10 kilometer event of the Y road race. His passion for road racing began at the BC Seniors Games and has never stopped.

“After retiring at 60 I was encouraged to try the BC Seniors Games,” the 79 year-old Yule said. “It’s such a great social event; you get to meet so many friends.”

He proudly stated he ran while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in his early seventies. “By the grace of god I am still here,” the Prince George resident said.

His resume of 5 marathons includes completing the Boston Marathon at 77 years young.

Jean Yule checked her watch after the 5 kilometre event of the Family Y road race. The 74 year-old has been participating in the BC Seniors Games since 1998.

“Keep at it, do what ever you can do,” Jean Yule said. Her advice is to take tiny steps to gradually build up your fitness level.

“I don’t know where would be if we had not taken up running,” Grant Yule said.

“You have to take chances to keep yourself in good health.”

 Here is a list of overall winners in the 5 and 10K events of the Family Y Road Race:

10 Kilometers:

Barry Nakahara Prince George 41:47

Wande Nemethy Vanderhoof 43:37

5 Kilometers:

Greg Warren Prince George 21:30

Sarah Makowsky 24:13

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