Race: Hannukah Hustle 10k, Hamilton.
Date: November 18, 2012.
Results: Speed River Timing
The Legend of Johnny Jogger – Part 5: The Legend Returns
“Come on John, let’s get going” I said, as Johnny faffed about his car getting his crap together. Shoes, singlet, timing chip, bib. Long sleeve, on second thought, no. Some old throw-aways for the warm up? There wasn’t going to be much of a warm up at this rate. Finally we got going. This was a different state of mind for John and I just couldn’t get a read on him. Either he was absolutely zoned in for this race or totally not interested. So hard to tell. Maybe a hangover he wasn’t admitting to?
This was the last certified 10k race to be counted in Ontario Road Race rankings for 2012 and John’s last chance to grab first overall for his age. We jogged down Longwood Road to Princess Point and then returned on the course toward the start/finish line. The hill back up was long and mental notes were taken. It would be a tough finish. By the time we dropped our warm-up clothes the race was about to start.
But before we get to details let’s back up to Sunday July 8, site of the Boilermaker 15k race in Utica. We are not so much interested in the race itself, rather the aftermath and the gruesome details. Long after the race is over, we find a vagrant passed out in a roadside gutter, a horrible mess to behold. The race after-party had been in full swing for some time and this lucky chap had managed to find his way into the beer garden where he drank his fill. And then some. For those who don’t know the Boilermaker, the only way into the beer garden is to cross the finish line. Once there, the beer is free and flows fast.
So how did this destitute scallywag manage to get in? He did in fact have a bib pinned to his singlet. He did in fact cross the finish line in a very respectable time. He was in fact the 60-64 age category winner in a race way bigger than Sporting Life. But you’d never know it looking at him now. So what could he possibly do for an encore? In the context of so many age category wins, that finish was simply legendary. So how about this:
John and I lined up second row. No BS weaving through crowds today. Thanks to the hill, the first km was exceptional – a 3:18. I was right behind Predrag Mladenovic and Johnny was right behind me. Say what? We were sitting on the tail of the “elite” of Ontario’s masters, albeit Predrag was just getting warmed up. I also kept my sights on Anthony Davey who slowly faded ahead. Damn this man was strong. Two more contenders (Hassan Ishaq and Jason Choi) attempted to pass after 2k, and I locked in step. John was not far behind them.
This is a beautiful course! Lovely inner and outer harbour views along the path system. Stinky old Hamilton has done well with its waterfront. Many parts of the course should be familiar to those who have raced the Boxing Day 10 Miler and Olga’s Boy Night Out. And such a wonderful sunny day to race. Simply superb, and hopefully (soon) glorious results.
The 5k turn back was reached in 17:30, yet another of my best 5k’s done in the midst of a longer race. Johnny passed 5k around 18:10 and there was no one between us. I had better keep the pedal floored. Hassan flanked my right and, with the full width of the path to ourselves, decided to trade elbows with me. What for? He then moved up beside Jason and repeated his little game of elbow jousting. I reached 8k in 28:18, my fastest ever.
That uphill finish was looming and I was fading fast. Just past the 9k marker I hit overdrive and went for glory. The final km was a dogged uphill effort of 3:38. The world was spinning and I sat down on the curb, my race over in 35:41. A new 10K PB in a race that isn’t Sporting Life. Wonderful.
The clock was ticking away on 36:xx and still no Johnny. I hustled over to the chute entrance but no sign of him coming as the clock hit 37:00. He would be disappointed. I was so looking forward to John’s moment of glory. Then Anthony Davey corrected my oversight: John had already crossed, and I rushed back to congratulate him. His 36:41 blew away John Clarke’s previous mark of 37:12 set going down Yonge Street on a much easier course.
So many races this year John has left feeling a bit disappointed with his effort, even the ones that got him top billing in this years rankings. But not today for this race. John was all smiles. Life couldn’t be better. Celebration beers were in order!
Predrag and a few others had a tough time believing their eyes. Here was on old man blasting up the final hill with a 36 reading on the clock. Predrag was so impressed that he congratulated John after: “I hope I am running as fast at 60.” Coming from Predrag, no compliment could be finer.
So ladies and gentlemen, here is your Legendary Johnny Jogger, at age 60, a trifecta of 2012 age number ones according to Road Race Rankings. Johnny, so well done!
5K Ontario age ranking: #1, 17:56
10K Ontario age ranking: #1, 36:41
21K Ontario age ranking: #1, 1:21:10 (his Hamilton half was faster but won’t be counted).
By the way, it was a hangover.
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