Sean Allen
BRANT NEWS

Rewarding performance and encouraging participation, the points system for the Brantford Tournament of Races is now online for runners to check where they rank in the inaugural series of races.

After two events in the six-race series, Port Dover’s Kevin Farr leads the tournament standings with 44 points.

The organizer of the series, Bill Jol, said that Farr’s early lead is evidence that participation is the biggest key to success.

“You don’t have to be an elite 25-year-old runner to win the overall championship,” Jol said.

Though Farr is certainly an elite runner – winning gold in recent years at the Canadian over-30 track and field championships – there are plenty of points available for those taking part in the races.

Farr, who is in his 40s, earned 20 points in both the New Year’s Day Mayor’s Resolution Race and the recent Rotary Classic by finishing first in his age category in the 5 km circuits.

He earned four additional points by placing third overall among male participants in both races (one bonus point per race) and for simply participating (one bonus point per race).

Brantford city Coun. Larry Kings currently ranks 85th in the series after completing both races with a total of 21 points.

“Everyone who participated in the races and wore the official chip timer is in the standings on www.likerunning.ca,” Jol said.

In the first year of the racing series, the championship will be for bragging rights only, but Jol said he is working on a system for 2013 to make points count.

“We want to allow participants to redeem the points for rewards or entry into races,” he said. “This year is going to be a trophy or plaque for the winners.”

Another way to earn bonus points is by participating in all three of the road races or all three of the trail races in the series.

The first of the three trail races will take place on July 1.

“We are already at triple the registrations we had last year for the Great Canadian Trail Run on Canada Day,” Jol said. “I think people are starting to know about the tournament and getting excited about it. It’s been a great success so far and we are only one-third of the way through.”

Jol also said that runners have warmly received value-added incentives.

“Between the jacket they got on the New Year’s Day run and the meal that is included, people are telling us we are setting the bar very high for the extras,” he said.

Brantford Tournament of Races
www.likerunning.ca

New Year’s Day Resolution Race – Jan. 1
10 km winner – Krista DuChene, Brantford, 35:29
5 km winner – Saheed Khan, Toronto, 15:20

30th annual Rotary Classic Run – Apr. 29
10 km winner – Tyler Van Leeuwen, Brantford, 37:16
5 km winner – Justin Spalvieri, Brantford, 16:39

Great Canadian Trail Run – July 1

Brantford Grand Trail Run – July 28

Summer Night Road Races – Sept. 6

Brant Waterways Trail Races – Sept. 23