Phil Roach Eats Up Tim Horton’s Marathon
October 13, 2002

The Valley Harvest Marathon in Kentville, Nova Scotia, is destined to become a permanent fixture for Wanderer runners because the race is sponsored by the Canadian doughnut chain Tim Horton’s.

Phil, right, looking good at mile 14.

Phil gets a victory hug from proud daughter Mattea.

Phil Roach, a Halifax resident who performed so capably at the Cabot Trail Relay this past spring, represented the Wanderers at the October 13 race and filed the following race report:

“What a great weekend. Thanksgiving here in Canada last Sunday and running a marathon really drove home the point! Stunning day, about 5 or 6 Celsius at the start -- warmed up to 15 by finish time. Spectacular sunshine with a few cloudy spells. Tim’s (Hortons) was actually the title sponsor.

“The course took us into the middle of nowhere before returning us to small-town Nova Scotia. Some parts of the countryside looked more New England than New England, especially at one point where the road was flanked with old oaks that touched overhead. A graveyard ran besides with very old stones. I think you would have liked it.

“As far as the race, Victor Hickey of New Brunswick won the men’s open in 2:42:22, with Cynthia Moulin of Halifax taking the women’s open in 3:12:19. I was closing on them but ran out of real estate finishing in 4:28:31. I was very happy with how I felt and I think I’ll go under 4 next time. I ran with three other guys including my brother-in-law and training buddies until the last couple of miles -- one of my training partners was having some difficulty after mile 21 and I was starting to get some calf cramping too.”

220 runners competed in the marathon with another 550 participating in the half marathon.

Phil, right, hits finish line without breaking stride.	The real star of the show was, of course, Tim Hortons.

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