The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
While dads might be kicking back, fishing while having a beer, or watching whatever game is on the tube, Taylor Davis, Amanda Hill and Kerrilynn Behrman-Laderoute will be exhausted after participating in the Manitoba Marathon this Father's Day in Winnipeg. The event, presented by Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, has the 26.2-mile full marathon and the 13.1-mile half marathon. Taylor and Amanda intend to run the half marathon in two hours. The Creighton Community School students have been training hard since the middle of March under the guidance of Behrman-Laderoute, who is a school guidance counsellor and family worker. "They're coming along really good," said Behrman-Laderoute, who hasn't decided on which run she will enter. Amanda and Taylor, who are also involved with the track and field team, were approached by Behrman-Laderoute. Amanda decided to try it for the challenge. "The training is pretty good and sometimes it's hard," she said. "The main goal is to complete the run," Behrman-Laderoute said afterwards. The trio have been working with a 14-week program and they now run 10 miles in an hour and a half. They meet every Monday and Wednesday. The group works on speed on Monday and endurance on Wednesday. Both students work on their own the other days. Taylor, 14, said it's kind of tough, especially when he plays other sports. He runs five days a week to be ready. "I put it as my number one priority," he said of the marathon. "He's a diehard," Behrman-Laderoute said. "He's the most committed runner. He's very committed, even on the rough days." As dedicated as he is, Behrman-Laderoute refers to Taylor as being a natural. "It doesn't seem like much effort to him," she explained. "I'm one of those lucky few," Taylor said. "I just really like running and I've been committed to sports." Taylor would like to eventually run in the Boston Marathon. Behrman-Laderoute said that Amanda is very much committed as well, but it doesn't come as easy for her. "She's like me Ð she has to work harder," Behrman-Laderoute said with a smile. The leader might not be a natural, but Behrman-Laderoute knows how hard to push because she has both experience and knowledge to train properly. "I love running and it's kind of my passion," she explained. "I enjoy doing it with them." On average, they run 20 to 30 miles per week. With the effort Amanda and Taylor have put in, Behrman-Laderoute said she believes both can achieve their goal. "I have no doubts in my mind Taylor will break two hours. He's pretty quick," she said confidently. "The bottom line is them doing their personal best." When asked if she could complete it, Amanda said, "I hope so" with a big smile. "I will be proud of myself," Amanda said. "It's just fun and easy. It's something that can challenge you." Anybody interested can participate in the marathon, which according to its website (www.manitobamarathon.mb.ca) is one of Canada's biggest running events on Father's Day. Last year 12,081 people registered. Father's Day this year is Sunday, June 18.
