And they're off: Rudy Riedlsperger's 2021 Tely 10 predictions
CBC
Finally. After a more than two-year hiatus, the Tely 10 is back.
On Sunday, more than 2,500 participants will run from Paradise, through Mount Pearl, and into St. John's where the finish line waits in Bannerman Park.
Usually, of course, this most prestigious road race of Newfoundland and Labrador is held in July, but there have been previous editions any time between May and October. The 10-miler will mostly be a local affair this year, and I expect an incredibly close race that should be fun to watch.
Runners from the local scene have been exciting to follow in the last few years, and the Tely 10 brings them all together (well, most of them!). Let's have a close look at some of the top contenders to cross the finish line first:
Names to watch out for spots 10 to eight include Shantel Buttress, Katrina-Lynn Picco and Sheri-Lynn Reid. However, I believe Janelle Simmons will have a slight edge, putting her in eighth position this year.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary constable is on her way back from injury and ran very well in the Cape to Cabot 20K race two weeks ago, finishing second.
Simmons has won many races locally and internationally, including the World Police and Fire Games in Fairfax, Va., where she won the half-marathon in a blazing fast time. That was a few seasons ago, but many runners get better with age; Simmons is definitely one of them. Simmons's personal best at the Tely is 1:04:17.
Susan Hayward is always somebody to watch out for.
Like many names on this list, Hayward is a member of the the Athletics North East Running Club. The group usually trains early in the morning, rain or shine, summer or winter. While COVID-19 put the brakes on the club for a little while last year, the group is back together with a newfound appreciation for the sport.
Hayward put in the training this year to go for a personal best. Known to pace herself really well, she won't go out too fast, and don't expect her to fade toward the end of the race. With her experience it is possible to see her even further up in the results. Hayward's PB at the Tely is 1:04:07.
Alison Walsh has been a staple in the local running scene for many years. While she took some time off after the birth of her second child, she recently got back into training and I expect that she will be a contender for a top-six finish at least.
If she can hang on to a fast group we may even see her further ahead.
Walsh is a bit of a wild card, as she has not run any races yet this year, but take a look at any race results in the province over the last 10 years and you will see that it would be a big mistake to count her out.
Walsh's fastest Tely 10 time is 1:01:37.
A holiday event that began in 2020 during the pandemic with three floats on pickup trucks has now become one of Kelowna’s big winter events, drawing thousands to the city’s downtown core.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
It’s been hard to keep track of how many legal challenges and active court proceedings the United Conservative government has tried to quash or pre-emptively block in the last six weeks, but let’s try to tally:
Margaret Walker, the emcee of a Waterloo vigil commemorating the victims of the Montreal massacre, doesn't feel enough is being done to reflect on the killings and address gender-based violence.
The P.E.I. Humane Society says it is doing far more fundraising than it used to, and rising expenses — including the cost of animal medications — are a big reason why.
Ottawa is staring down a court-ordered deadline to submit a new plan to reform the on-reserve child welfare system, as a group of First Nations leaders and children’s advocates prepare a competing proposal.
An underpass revitalization project that was meant to pay tribute to the people of Parkdale has instead deteriorated into “a garbage dump,” according to nearby residents.
A young man has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm after a fire at a frat party near Western University that injured five sorority sisters, including two seriously, late Tuesday night.
The massive deal to combine one of Hollywood's oldest studios with a streaming giant hasn't even been approved yet, but it's already riling multiple related industries and politicians concerned about monopolies and media concentration.
Mi'kmaq chiefs and a former Nova Scotia justice minister are criticizing the provincial government for directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis, saying the order undermines relations with Indigenous Peoples.
For years, there has been “glaring inequity” in the way the province has allocated the millions of dollars in its county roads budget, according to Department of Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson.
Six months after passing a law aimed at making it easier for new grocery stores to open, Manitoba's premier says lower grocery bills could be on the horizon.
Timothy Smith was acting in self-defence when he punched Landon Waddell, and shouldn't be found guilty of manslaughter, his lawyer says.