Long distance runner Phil Hansen takes a glass of water from Rita Keller along his half marathon route while on the home stretch Sunday morning. The Hayter runner kept ahead of the pack for a first place finish. ©Provost News Photo. Print version in June 15 edition of The Provost News. Want to Subscribe to The Provost News? Click here.

Hansen First in Half Marathon
Hayter runner Phil Hansen took first place at this year’s half marathon that started in Provost, with a time of 1:43.40.

Hansen shaved some time off of his run that earned him the win in 2002 with a time of one hour, 44 minutes and 22 seconds.

The 53 year old runner told The Provost News that he was happy with his time. He said he felt good “but the mud wasn’t the greatest” along the road that was south and east of town past Agricore-United.

He’s ran in all six of the races organized here by Calgary resident Kari Gregory.

The 21 kilometre record holder in the annual race is still held by former Provost resident Derek Keller of Calgary who set a new half marathon road race record at last year’s event in town with a time of 1:25:13. He did not attend this year’s run.

Two races were staged Sunday morning, June 12: a 10 kilometre race and a 21 kilometre race.

Taking first in the 21 kilometre race for women was once again Veronica Pinkoski of Wainwright with a time of 1:48. She told The News that she was not happy with her time—recalling that last year even though she was attacked by a dog her time then was 1:41:49.

Taking first in the men’s 10K was Keith Wilson of Unity with a time of 43:23. Last year the winner in his event had a time of 43:39.

New mother Nicole Ganser again captured first place in the women’s 10K race. Her time was 46:42. “I wanted to beat last year’s time” of 46:03.

Rest of story in June 15 edition of The Provost News.
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