'London's biggest party race'

Photos by Jonathon Brodie/London Community News / Twitter: @jonathonbrodie The Rock the Road 10k brought the crowd of a small rock show for a race consisting of loud music and loud fans Sunday (Aug. 19). A little more than 320 people laced up for “London’s biggest party race,” and prepared themselves for a quick opening pace with the starting line near the top of the hill on Richmond Street, just north of the intersection of Fanshawe Park Road West. It wasn’t hard for the runners to keep their focus during the race. Headed down Richmond, they were greeted with a hose down from fire fighters, turning onto Regent Street they were met by cheerleaders, and on Adelaide they were treated to a rock band, until they finally hit the finish line to more music at Masonville Mall on Fanshawe Park Road. Volunteers armed with boom sticks were sprinkled throughout the course to keep the noise coming. Some elite runners joined the field and taking the top spot for the men was Josephat Ongeri — Hamilton Marathon course record holder — with a time of 30:10. Thomas Omwenga — 2006 Los Angeles Marathon Wiiner — came in at second place at 31:11, ahead of Terrence Attema — 2012 Ekiden National team member — at 31:17. For the women, Krista Duchene — 2010 Canadian Marathon Champions Gold winner —finished in first place with a time of 34:08, ahead of second place Anna Jelegat Kibor — 2007 Mexico City Marathon winner — at 36:16. Josh Lumani had the best time of the roughly 200 local runners, coming in at 33:19. Wes Vick, the lone person in the wheelchair division, finished at 24:43. For more information about Rock the Road 10K, visit www.londoncommunitynews.com/2012/08/rockin-race-for-runners. [gallery link="file"] Find us on Facebook: London Community News