Spook-tacular Honda Race Series season

By Jonathon Brodie/London Community News / Twitter: @jonathonbrodie The 2012 London Honda Race Series wrapped up Sunday (Oct. 28) with its biggest turnout of the season and while the points are now tallied up to determine the winners, in the end everyone is finding a reward somewhere. Around 900 people registered for the final event of the six-race series in the Halloween Haunting 10K and 5K Run and 2K Fun Run/Walk at Springbank Park with some runners dressing in costume from everything to ghoulish face paint to elaborate attires. “The dress up factor is huge,” said Paul Roberts, race director for the London Honda Race Series. “That makes it really, really attractive for people who aren’t serious runners, but want to have some fun doing it.” Some competitors though, wore their best running gear in a bid to pick up some final points in the racing series. Over the last eight months, runners have been facing off on the cement of Western University Campus or downtown to the paths of Spingbank and Victoria parks to claim supremacy in their age group. “Just seeing myself improve is enough, but it’s always nice when you get recognized by others for all your hard work,” said Robbie Timmerman, who defended his under-19 male title this year. The 19-year-old may have finished first in his category, but winning is secondary to him. “It’s not just about the racing for me, it’s just about the running community here around town and you see the same people at each race and get to know them and make friendships. That’s more important to me,” he said. “We’re definitely seeing the running community growing, but it’s exciting to see new people coming out to these events.” On the complete other end of the spectrum, 68-year-old Dianne Chisholm finished in first place overall in the 65-69 female group. She was the only competitor in her category to complete the required three events to be eligible for the series, but someone had to run in those races and Chisholm ran in almost everyone of them. For the Halloween race though, it’s a family affair for her with seven Chisholms in 5-km race and another seven in 2-km fun run. Usually, the partying comes after the races, but for Diane’s husband, Kent, who just turned 75, the celebration was taken to the course. “When I arrived they were all there at the starting line and they were all there for a group picture with a sign saying, ‘Happy 75^th’," said Kent, who has ran in the races with his wife, about his surprise party at Springbank. Kent finished fourth in the over-70 male group, but, again, winning isn’t everything. “Running is such an individual thing,” he said. “There’s always going to be someone that comes in ahead of you, so you don’t focus on that. The idea is to finish.” Overall awards in the London Honda Race Series will be handed out Nov. 5 at the Honest Lawyer restaurant. [gallery link="file"] Find us on Facebook: London Community News