Marc Meunier crossed the finish line in a blaze of glory Sunday to successfully defend his title as the RunWild Leading Edge Marathon men’s champion.
The pre-race favourite conquered the 42.2-kilometre course in two hours, 49 minutes and nine seconds on a cold and windy morning.
“I’m so ecstatic. I live in St. Albert. I work in St. Albert. I know a lot of people out on the course. Everyone is cheering. I couldn’t ask for a better moment,” said Meunier, with a satisfied grin etched across his face.
The Paul Kane High School athletic director was greeted by a thunderous ovation motoring through victory lane on Taché Street while vigorously pumping his left arm in celebration.
“At that point you don’t feel much pain in the body. You kind of put it in auto mode, the autopilot kicks in and everything feels so good,” he said.
Meunier, 39, was mobbed by family, friends and students from his advanced endurance class at Paul Kane after race director Anita Cassidy hung the RunWild medal of honour around his neck.
“It’s just an unbelievable day. The support was unreal,” said Meunier, after completing the 11th marathon of his career.
His winning time was nine minutes and 12 seconds faster than last year’s finish in the first marathon in St. Albert history.
“I'm really happy with my time,” said Meunier, who came close to equalling his personal best of 2:44. “When you come back to defend the title, you don’t want to have a letdown and crash. You don’t want to crack. There was a lot of incentive to push hard, maybe a little harder than I wanted to, but in the end that’s what racing is all about.”
Slight alterations to the winding course through streets and the Red Willow trail system made it possible for the fast finish in the same type of weather as last year’s marathon.
“Taking out a couple of hills made a difference,” Meunier said. “We had some good tailwinds at times and that really got me back on my pace.”
Meunier’s main challenger was Bryce Stewart of Edmonton, the runner-up at 2:49:47.
“Bryce really pushed me hard today. He was in for the long haul,” he said. “We had a few conversations along the way. It’s his first marathon. The guy has put up some great numbers in the half [marathon]. His breathing was good, his pace was good and his turnover was good, so I know from experience when guys are smooth like that I’m in for a long day because he was coming.
“It's nice to get the win but it's also much more gratifying when you’re being pushed like that.”
Meunier gradually lengthened his lead in the late stages of the race.
“The marathon is a real beast. It sneaks up on you quick but I made sure that my hydration and my nutrition was good this year for the last 10 K because after 32 K that’s when it starts to be a real race,” said the five-time Ironman competitor and the 10th fastest Canadian at the 2008 worlds.
The registration total for the second annual RunWild marathon was 103 runners and 91 finished the race. Last year 153 runners signed up and 121 went the distance.
The RunWild was hosted by Leading Edge Physiotherapy. All proceeds go to the St. Albert Senior Citizens’ Club and the Zebra Child Protection Centre.
“Leading Edge did a great job as per usual. If anything, they upped their game again this year. The volunteers were fantastic. The aid stations were great. The weather turned out great again too,” Meunier said. “It was a day to remember.”
FAST TRACKS: This weekend Meunier will compete in the 75-km Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Race.
The second-fastest St. Albert male in the marathon was Derek Flindall at 3:22:53 for ninth place overall.
Cole Romaniuk, the only St. Albert U19 male or female in the marathon, placed 52nd overall at 4:16:47.
Perry Coey of Morinville was the first finisher in the men’s 50 to 59 age group at 3:36:37 for 19th place overall.
The final RunWild registration total was 1,605 for the marathon, 21.1-km half marathon, the 10 and five km races and the WildOnes Marafun for youths six to 12 years old.
The top 20 marathon finishers are listed on page 70.
Visit www.resultscanada.com for the complete race results.
