Adam Prudhomme
Editor
History was re-written during Saturday’s Napanee Heritage 5K and Kids One-Miler race as new records were established for both the male and female divisions.
Kevin Coffey’s time of 14:52 set the new standard for the men’s 5K while Elaina Raponi’s time of 18:15 is the new best for women. Both runners hail from Kingston. Napanee’s Carter Free had held the overall course record of 15:27, which he set in 2018.
In the Kids’ One-Miler, Napanee’s Dylan Chalk, age 10, finished first in a time of 5:56. Andrew Pennell, age 12, (6.14) and Simon Breadner, age 10, (6:24) rounded out the top three. Avery Balance-Hinch, age 12, finished first in the girls’ division with a time of 7:02. Blake McAuley, age 11, was second at 7:05 with Kennedy Flieler, age eight, in third at 7:11.
The 5K race saw 300 participants, the most ever at the Napanee Heritage Race. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Following Coffey was Nick Cosman, age 40, for second overall in the 5K with a time of 16:00 and in third was Brant Stachel, age 31, at 16:23. In the female division Rachel Deline, age 31, had the second best time of 19:06 while Allison Alexander, age 39, was third at 19:32.
Not just for competitive runners, the race also contained a walking division and saw participants from age four to late 70s.
A full list of results, broken down by age categories, can be found at https://www.napaneeheritagerace.com/results-and-photos.
The course takes runners under Napanee’s historic rail bridge. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
New course records weren’t the only milestones reached on the day. This year marked the first time the race was entirely sold out with 300 participants in the 5K race and 100 kids in the one-miler. Proceeds from the race are still being calculated and will be put towards the installation of outdoor fitness stations to be placed on the planned extension of the Napanee River trail, which is being done in partnership with the Gibbard District. This marks the second year of a three-year commitment from race organizers to donate the proceeds from the event to this project.
Napanee’s Macpherson House is in the background as runners round the corner during the Napanee Heritage Race. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Named for its course that contains several of Napanee’s historic landmarks, the Heritage Race departs from the L&A County Courthouse and leads participants under the train bridge, passed the Macpherson House, along the Napanee train station and back to its original starting point. The Heritage Race was first run in 2016 with a two-year interruption following the 2019 race due to the pandemic.
Prior to the race organizers recognized L&A County’s economic development officer Rob Plumley with a builder award for his efforts in helping the event over the years.
