The Root Romp’s reigning champion and course record-setter, Reiner Thoni, was absent from the 10-kilometre race this year, leaving the first place finish open for someone new: Keith Thiboult.
Thiboult completed the gruelling race in 48 minutes and 17 seconds, snagging not only the top spot overall, but a gold medal in the adult male category.
Coming in next was Declan Unsworth with a time of 49 minutes and 44 seconds. His finish placed him first overall in the mature male category.
Rounding out the top three finishers and snagging the third gold medal of the day, this time in the elder male category, was Rudi Thoni, Reiner’s dad. He finished with a time of 54 minutes and 14 seconds.
Michelle Wigmore was the first female runner to cross the finish line and the fourth overall, completing the race with a time of 55 minutes and nine seconds and garnering her own gold medal in the master female category.
The arduous race had 42 participants on Saturday, Oct. 19, all of whom were taken through a forest path, with plenty of steep hills, bogs and gnarly roots.
Other gold medal winners were Angeline McKirdy (adult female), Gabby Lyons (mature female), Loni Klettl (senior female) and Greg Slatter (senior male).
Story and photos by Nicole Veerman
