Three Camrose runners finish in top seven in Edmonton Marathon
By Dan Jensen

Brendan Lunty came from behindto win the Edmonton Marathon August 22.

Camrose runners were front and centre on the leaderboard at the Canadian Derby Marathon in Edmonton August 22.

Brendan Lunty, an x-ray technician at the Viking hospital, placed first in the 42 km race with a personal best time of two hours, 33 minutes and 17 seconds. Robert Renman, co-coach of the Augustana cross country running team placed fifth, while Ian Blokland placed seventh.

"It was cool to see that many Camrose runners do well in the race," said Brendan. "There were just as many Camrose people in the top ten as Edmonton people."

Brendan fell behind early in the race and by the 10 km mark could no longer see the motorcycle that was pacing the lead runner. He received a big psychological boost when, after passing through a residential area, he saw that he was gaining ground.

"It gives you quite a lift when you get to the point that you are able to see the lead runner and feel that you are able to reel him in," said Brendan, who took the lead at the 35 km mark. "When you can't see him anymore it just seems impossible."

Brendan has raced in a number of other marathons this year. He finished fourth in the San Francisco Marathon in April, won the Saskatoon Marathon in May and placed 11th in the Vancouver Marathon, also in May.

"The Vancouver Marathon was a big one," he said. "I would guess there were about four thousand racers who were competing."

Brendan's goal as a long distance runner is to continually improve, but even more importantly, to enjoy himself. He has raced in the Boston Marathon twice and has plans in the future to run in the New York City Marathon, a race for which he has already qualified.

"You know, this is nothing we are getting rich or famous or anything for, so if you can't enjoy it I don't see the point," he said. "As long as I keep enjoying it I will continue to keep on doing it."

Brendan feels that being able to train as a member of the Camrose Running Club with Renman, Blokland, Gerhard Lotz and others has helped him make improvements to his running style and get him to the point that he wants to be as an athlete.

"We have a healthy cooperation and somewhat of a competition too within the club," he stated. "It is so beneficial to have those guys encourage you and push you. Without those guys there is no way I would be able to run in the times I have this year."

From what he has seen, Brendan believes the Camrose Running Club has to be ranked as one of the strongest in the province.

"For the size of community, it is actually quite remarkable that we have so many strong runners."