Fun Run Data- Update

As some of you may recall or even if you have no idea what I'm talking about, last year I did something a little different and created some data tables for the fun run, putting together tables based on top recorded times. As the fun run season has begun again and I have eagerly watched them happen as a spectator, I started thinking again about setting a course record. I then realized I had yet to update the post I made nearly a year ago. This was a pretty easy update- since that post only 4 people have gone sub-18. I did once, Keith McAteer did twice and John Biguoette did once. This season hasn't proved to be too spicy...but there's plenty of time left for that. Just wanted to get the updated lists out there and hopefully I will update again once people go sub-18. The lists are a little unclear, click to enlarge.

Overall Performance List (click for PDF)

A huge change in this when I broke the course record last year and moved to the top of the list. Keith added his name twice and John once.
Fastest Time- Matthew Walker, 16:21

Individual Performance List (no repeats)

Other than me jumping to the top of the list from second, Keith was the only one to change position as he improved his time.
Fastest Time- Matthew Walker, 16:21

Sub 18 and Sub 17 times per Year

Fastest Year- 2013, 22 times under 18 minutes

Sub 18 and Sub 17 times per Runner

Most sub-18 times- Tom Bousquet, 22 times

Amount of wins per Runner

Moved up a little on Tom Bousquet as I nabbed one more win, moving to 13 but he still holds the most wins title with 15.
Most Wins- Tom Bousquet, 15


Overall Thoughts and Personal Goals for the Summer:

Other than me taking the CR in 16:21 last July, hardly anything has changed on the fun run scene. This year has only been ridiculous slow with fast runners opting not to show up or run hard in great weather and allowing times over 20 minutes to slip into the top 3 placements. Judging from recent trends in sub-18 performances, I'm guessing about 10 performances will be added to the list this year. However, I think it will be a great year for sub-17 performances and it could break the record for 4. I don't think a lot of people will have a personal best and move up (mostly because the top people are either not interested in the fun run, not interested in trying, or not currently in the shape to improve their time). I do think that many sub-18 performances are possible as the local top runners in the WTAC group who frequents these runs are all capable of running that time without going all out. Right now, I hold the top spot in one category, and Tom Bousquet holds the top spot in two others. Tom is in the clear to have the top spot in the most sub-18 performances by the end of the summer as it's literally impossible to dethrone him, but both other categories are in jeopardy. Depending on how many wins I take vs. the amount Tom takes will determine who has the most wins at the end of the summer. I'm hoping to win the next three, but we'll see how that plays out. The big battle will be for the course record. I'm not sure whether this will be a battle against myself and my old time or against other runners (whether in person or not). The two contenders I see potentially challenging the record are Keith McAteer and Chris Garvin. Both have been actively running them last year, giving the indication they'll be back. Chris hasn't run a super fast 5K in a few years due to injury but I'm hoping he'll be in shape to go for it. Keith, on the other hand, has gone sub-16 in several road 5ks in the last few years and is only getting faster and faster. He joked to me last year about potentially taking the CR so I feel he's certainly interested in it. Either way, I really enjoy these fun runs and am hoping to come out of the summer as the record holder. I ran 16:21 last year. I'm hoping to break 16 this year, but that'll be very difficult. Right now, I'm leaning toward running all-out effort July 11 and July 18 (hopefully running faster the 2nd attempt). I'll see what comes after that.

Looking forward to a great summer of fun runs and returning to them next week.