The 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run held in Southampton saw 824 participants run and walk their way from start to finish, June 2.

Hub Staff

A new half-marathon course record was made as Shallow Lakes’ Jason Weppler, age 42, beat out previous winner Mitchell Belford, during the 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run, held in Southampton, June 2.

Weppler, who had taken part in the 5km in past Runs, said he was happy to achieve a course record, calling it a “bonus for sure” to receiving gold.

“The [record] was in reach and last year I ran the 5k and got beat by the young kids, so I thought I’d try a longer distance this time,” said the runner after his win, going on to say that he continues to take part in the Run because of its “great history” and because it fundraises for such an important cause. “The course is great, nice and flat, a little windy out there today there but the temperature was good,” added the runner.

Weppler had a time of 01:15:24.0 with a pace of 03:34 min/km. Second place went to Mitchell Belford 26 of Wasaga Beach who had won the race two years in a row and who had a time of 01:17:00.4. Cody Shewfelt of Southampton placed third with a time of 01:19.47.5.

Matt Barfoot of Port Elgin placed first in the 10k event with a time of 39:06.1 and Denise Brady of Port Elgin was the first female to finish the 10k with a time of 44:27.4. Joan Matthews of Saugeen Shores was the second woman to the finish with a time of 45:16.0, and Charmaine Pette of Port Elgin was the third female to finish to 10K with a time of 47:12.1.

In the 5k run and for the second year in a row Sam Nusselder of Saugeen Shores placed first with a time of 16.28.0. Not to be outdone, Jessie Nusselder of Saugeen Shores was the second female to finish with a time of 19:30.1.

In the 3k category William Weist won that race for his 4th year in a row.

Rotary member and event co-organizer John Van Bastelaar said there was over 150 more registered participants than for last year’s Run, totalling 824 in all. At the time of publishing gross funds raised through pledges and donations were to the amount of $74,500 with 70 percent of proceeds raised going towards the Saugeen Memorial Hospital. The remaining 30 percent will be divided equally between both Port Elgin and Southampton Rotary clubs and the Saugeen Track and Field Club.

“It was an amazing day, we had a great time,” said Van Bastelaar after the race. “We had a huge influx of people and we had 26 teams this year which is really a great improvement because we like to see people participating and getting together.”

He went on to comment on the increased partnerships with the Southampton BIA and Thorncrest Outfitters for helping people get out to Southampton and remain active. “My goal is that we have this as a wonderful healthy weekend. Leave your car at home, and we are gonna walk and bike and ride, whatever it may be, and just have a healthy weekend for everybody.”

The Huron Shore Run will continue to accept donations through its website until the end of June. Visit rotaryrun.net.

Full results can be found here: https://results.rmraces.live/Southampton-Rotary-Club/events/2018/Rotary-Huron-Shore-Run/results

Zion Garside of Southampton as he finished the 3km race at the 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run, June 2.

Chris Phair of Hepworth (white), William McGrail of Wingham (orange), and David Leigh of Kincardine (blue), prove that athletes from all over come to Southampton to participate in the Rotary Huron Shore Run.

Sydney Snelling of South Bruce Peninsula, Isabella Holt of Port Elgin, and Kiera Snelling of South Bruce Peninsula were ready to run their 5k and 10k races at the 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run, June 2.

Suageen Track and Field Club member Grace Wheeler, 13 of Lions Head, was hoping for a 5km finish under 20 minutes at the 30th annual Huron Shore Run, June 2.

The Hegmans family from Tiverton were cheering on mom and wife Ashley Hegmans who participated in the 10k race.

Half marathon winner and course record breaker Jason Weepler of Shallow Lake as he crossed the finish line at the 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run, June 2.

On the left, Port Elgin’s Sam Nusselder won the 5km race. Nusselder, a Saugeen Track and Field Club athlete won the 5km race in 2017. On the right, two time half marathon winner (2016 and 2017), Mitchell Belford had a smile on his face as he crossed the finish line to claim second place.

Jeannette Ledd (left), Cheree Urscher, and Marsha Roote of Saugeen First Nation enjoyed some post 5km potassium during the 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run.

It was a race to the finish for 5km runners Sydney Snelling and Mason Bell.

Eldon Wilken of Port Elgin as he finished the 3km race at the 30th annual Rotary Huron Shore Run.

Sandra Cooke of Mouth Pleasant ran the 5km with longtime friend Kathryn Forsyth of Southampton (right) and Erik Elliot (middle) of Mount Pleasant participated in the 3km race.

The Walker House unveiled its new accessible ramp and also donated $10,000 to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) during the Huron Shore Run, June 2. From left, Huron Shore Run co-organizer John Van Bastalaar, Gord Lang, Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith, Walker House owners Mary Putnum and Robert Ho, General Manager Alicea Young, SMHF Chair Jim Barbour, and Rotarian Dave Dennies. Mayor Mike Smith’s grandson Dax helped hold the cheque.