11^th Annual Conquer the Dog a Great Success!

Through an incredible community effort, the 11^th Annual Conquer the Dog Triathlon & Relay was a wonderful success once again this year. We had 107 competitors join us. In this summer of questionable weather, we were very happy to have a beautiful day for the event. It was exciting to see local competitors in the race. Brian Seargeant, in his 11th Conquer the Dog bettered his best time by 6 minutes. He also waited, with his arms wide open at the finish line, for his daughter Megan to complete her first race which gave her third place in the women’s solo triathlon category. Carolyn Laatu also ran her 11^th race. Way to go Carolyn! Rodney Puumala made is way across the finish line in first place in the men’s pair triathlon category with his dog Wanda running by his side. Simone and Patrice Poulin competed in the Pup Sprint and Tail Wagger divisions of the children’s race. Special thanks to their mom, Fiona McKenna, who did a great job heading up the Race Course Crew. Fiona also competed in the event and paddled with Michelle Arnold. Welcome to Conquer the Dog Michelle! Darren Theriault competed in his first Conquer the Dog at the age of 4 with his training wheels still on. He was the lucky winner of a unicycle donated by Petrie’s Cycle and Sports. Tom Petrie and his business, Petrie’s Cycle and Sports has been an on-going sponsor of Conquer the Dog since its conception. Thanks Tom for all the help and fantastic children’s prizes. We encourage more folks from the Kam area to compete next year on Saturday, August 21^st for the 12^th Annual Conquer the Dog. We could not run this event without the continuing support of Ontario Power Generation. Thanks to Roma Kopechanski for her work to gather prizes, access a yearly donation, ensure an appropriate water level in the river and provide OPG volunteers, competitors, and a starter for the race. Thanks Mike, Aaron and Maureen for you involvement.

With an event this size there are main people and businesses to thank. We had a great group of high school students earning community hours helping out at the event. Dane, Brennen Munn, Haley Lynch, Tanya Rehula, Hanna and Eric Wainio, Bridgette Aleman thanks a lot. To Zoe Lysmo and Pearl Tallon thanks for all your hard work.

Here’s the rest of the volunteers:

Diane, Mark & Sarah Lehtinen – Use of their landing and yard for the event and parking lot, as well as marshalling on the course

Members of the Lakehead Amateur Radio Club – Communication and Course Safety

Ed & Elma Hill – Kitchen Crew

Jennifer & Clayton Theriault – Event Planning, Rental Boats & Kitchen Crew

Carol & Arvo Vinni – Kitchen Crew

Stacie & Ken VanEvery – First Response, Event Planning, Website, Course Set Up, Safety Boat

Richard & Sharon Diem – Donations, Volunteer Management, Event Planning

Robin Nolan – Event Planning, Course Set Up, Course Marshal

Lin Bates – Timing Crew, Donations

Laurie Kendall – Timing Crew

Carol & Bob Christie – Parking & Timing Crew

Art Hensel – Parking

Michelle Tallon – Water Station

Eugene Lefrancois- Water Station

Kim Sjolund and Angela Spicer – Course Marshal

Pat O’Connor – Donation, Event Planning

Carolyn Laatu – Kitchen Crew

Tom Petrie – Communication, Event Planning & Registration

Brian Rice – Course Set Up

Susanna Thurston – Kitchen Crew

David Busby - First Response

Here are the generous sponsors and donors who helped make the event special:

Ontario Power Generation                       Petrie’s Cycle & Sports

Lafarge                                                           WILD Team Building

Arvo & Carol Vinni                                        Cyclepath

Wayne Toyota                                               Fresh Air Experience

Teri & Rick Lindstrom                                      Ken & Stacie VanEvery

Willow Springs Creative Centre                      Seargeant Picard

Wildwoode                                                      Chaltrek

Kam Post Office                                              Richard Diem

Lappe Variety                                                 Pat O’Connor

Superior Outdoors Magazine                          Bare Organics

Rollin Thunder                                                 Liisa Leskowski

Dollar 4 Dollar                                                  Taco Time

Music Place                                                     Sport Mart

The Running Room                                          Trip Outdoors

Gear Up for Outdoors                                     Lin Bates

                                                                        Play It Again Sports                                        

Winners of Special Awards:

Over all Event Winner: Jason Lane in a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, 1 second

Maria Hensel Award for a woman competitor who competes with enthusiasm and courage -

Lauryn Krawec

Mike Nawrocki Volunteer Award – Carol Vinni

Mystery Time Award (hand carved Inuit kayak paddle made by Pat O’Connor) – Thomas Quinn

Special Mention goes out to Richard Diem and his racing partner Dave Kimpton that bring around 140 years of experience to the race

Please check out conquerthedog.ca for full event results and check out superioroutdoors.ca  for over 200 pictures from Conquer the Dog.

Thanks to Thunder Bay Timing, especially Fred Dewsberry and Thomas Quinn, for their expertise and amazing timing system. Special thanks to the radio crew from Lakehead Amateur Radio Club. They always play a vital role in making the event safe and exciting.

Mark Saturday, August 21^st, 2010 on your calendars and join us for the 12^th Annual Conquer the Dog. Thanks again.       Judi Vinni       Conquer  Dog Organizing Committee