With the Beijing Games still ongoing, participants in the Intersport Fun Run/Walk competition have had no shortage of inspiration over the last couple of weeks.

Tuesday's field didn't post any Olympic calibre times, but still saw some great finishes with numerous runners completing the course at just over the 20 minute mark.

The 5-km run and walk has been held for over 20 years. The series is put on by Athletics Yukon and is held in Riverdale every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

The race always begins at the entrance into the F.H. Collins bus turn around and then follows the sidewalk north to a turnoff point by the city of Whitehorse pumping station, which is located near the skateboard park.

From there the course cuts over onto the Millennium Trail and follows along the path all the way to the top parking lot, which is just to east of the dam. All individuals participating in the 5-km race must touch the big triangular shaped rock at the top of the hill.

After reaching the top of the hill, the course turns around and comes back down onto Lewes Boulevard and finishes where the F.H. Collins school sign is located.

Participation in the Tuesday race series cost $2 for all members of Athletics Yukon, while non-members pay a total of $4.

All race entrants can choose to sign up in the walk or run category, which are both timed.

There are no prizes given out for the individual races, but Athletics Yukon does give out awards at the end of the running season.

In the past, these prizes have included plaques that acknowledge individual achievements, such as a runner's hard work, dedication or improved time.

With only 14 competitors in the running category and one in the walking event, this week's participation number was down slightly.

Fred Vandenot, coming off a three week vacation, got right back to business, winning his category with a time of 20:11.

This was the first time Vandenot has posted the top time at the five-km fun run in the two years he has taken part.

He said it felt good to finish in first place this week.

"It feels very good, but I suspect it's because the turnout wasn't the largest, so I got a shot at winning and I took it," Vandenot said. "Considering it's my first time running for three weeks, I'm pretty pleased with what I did. I guess that with the Olympics on TV all the time, I've been doing some armchair sports. It's great for motivation that's for sure."

Vandenot, who is also one of the regulars for the Thursday night trail run, said it's more about having fun than winning.

"I compete against myself, that's what I like doing, but it's always great to have people running at about the same pace, especially for the first three or four kilometres," he said.

Vandenot's personal goal when competing in Tuesday night run is to be under 20 minutes, which he usually is able to achieve. His best time racing the Riverdale course came at this year's five-km road championships where he clocked 19:17.

Vandenot said it is really enjoyable taking part in the five-km run.

"It's just a great way to meet people and to stay active," he said. "Five km I find it's just a perfect distance."

The next runner to cross the finish line in the male category was Nathan Millar, who came in at 22:49 ,while not even one minute later both Rodney Hulstein and Done White both tied for third place with a time of 23:16.

Other fininishers in the male category included Brian Mottus, who had a time of 24:56, while Ryan McLaren, finished at 25:18 and Adian Bradley recorded a final time of 27:12.

The women's category featured a thrilling sprint to the finish between Josianne Markley and the always competitive Sue Bogle.

When all was said and done, Markley was able to hold onto first place, besting Bogle by a mere 10 seconds. Markley's final time was 20:38.

Cynthia Freeman rounded out the top three with her time of 22:21, while Megan Phillips finished in a close fourth at 23:58.

Phillips said she was pleased with her time this week.

"I did a sub 24, which is good for me," she said. "I just watched the Olympics and they did the 10-km in 25 minutes. They did double my time basically, in double the distance."

Phillips is currently training for September's Klondike Road Relay and said competing in the Tuesday Fun Run's is a big help with helping her prepare for the road relay.

She said she encourages others to come out and participate in the Tuesday night run.

"It's so much fun," Phillips said. "It's all about the love and everyone has a love for the sport and it's kindred spirits all getting together to run. It's like a little family."

Other participants in the female running category included Masscha Schelten, who finished the race at 26:09, while Barbara Scheck came in at 27:31 and Pascale Bedard completed the course at 29:37.

The lone competitor in the running category was Ruth Hall, who finished at 37:40.

In other Athletics Yukon events, this weeks' Thursday Night Trail Run will be held on Grey Mountain Road, just past the lookout area. It will be on the SFD mountain bike trail and will link onto the 'Girlfriend' portion as well.

The course is approximately seven-km and is ranked as difficult because of the hills on the way back.

The Thursday night run will start at 6:30 p.m.