Let's face it. Nobody really wants to run or walk as fast as they can for 5 kilometres. But that's exactly what 34 people did last Tuesday night at Athletics Yukon's weekly Intersport 5 km run and walk.

The event took place under sunny skies and a temperature of 18. In fact, at the finish line many participants remarked how warm it felt outside.

The hottest competition of the night was amongst the women. Five female runners finished in under 22:00 and just 42 seconds separated the top four .

Newcomer Colleen Laitham (20:24) held off Josianne Markley (20:58) and Sue Bogle (20:59) to take first place. Bogle, who had just won a half marathon at the Mayo Midnight Marathon two days previous, lost to Markley by a mere second in a sprint to the finish line.

Megan Wilson stormed into the finish just six seconds behind Bogle in 21:06 to claim fourth place.

Grade 12 German exchange student Mascha Schelten rounded out the top 5 with an impressive time of 21:59.

Brock University's Rodney Hulstein started out at a 6:40 minute per mile pace leading a group of five runners, including Laitham, through the first kilometre.

Then, at the beginning of the second kilometre, he suddenly bolted ahead of the front pack picking up the pace by nearly a minute.

As usual, Hulstein finished in first place overall in a time of 18:12. Second place finisher Nathan Doering (18:59) was gaining on Hulstein throughout the race, but couldn't close the gap. Masters runners Fred Vandenot and Tom Ullyett battled each other all along the route.

Vandenot took over the lead at the four kilometre mark and out sprinted Ullyett in the last 100 meters to finish in third place (19:43) just one second ahead of Ullyett (19:44).

Award winning masters runner Don White, the conscience of the running community, was less than 30 seconds behind (20:12) and claimed the fifth spot.

The walking category saw Rick Griffiths finish first (34:10) with second place finisher Tanya Astika (34:43) just over 30 seconds behind him.

Doris Dart rounded out the field in a time of 44:09.

Other upcoming running events include the Canada Day One Mile, which will be held on Tuesday in Riverwall with a start time of 2:15 p.m.

Thursday will feature the weekly trail run, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information call Nancy Thomson at 668-8429.

Article submitted by Tom Ullyett on behalf of Athletics Yukon.