The First Dave Down Bridge Hospice Run Honours Runner’s Memory

Runners of all ages pay tribute to Dave Down, a former runner and community-minded man

Article & Images by Sue Dickens

Warkworth – Oct. 20 - “This is the 14^th year for this event but the very first year with our new name, the Dave Down Bridge Hospice Run,” said Judy Kaufman who spoke to the crowd of runners and supporters who gathered this morning in Warkworth by the arena.

It used to be called the W8 Run but the loss of Dave Down, 60, while driving a tractor that was rear-ended by a pick-up truck near Brighton last summer, hit home to this community so the name was changed to honour this man.

“The new name honours the memory of Dave Down and I am sure most of you remember Dave who was a big, friendly guy known in our community, who lived here and is loved for everything that he did,” said Kaufman.

“For many years Dave was at the starting line, sometimes getting here like a minute-and-a-half before the race started, but he was always here,” she said with a grin. “And he was still smiling when he crossed the finish line.” His picture is on this year’s poster.

“We are thrilled to have so many of the Down clan here today, some to run and some to cheer them on…so I want to offer my thanks to the Dave Down family for coming today,” Kaufman said.

Described by the run organizers as a family man, farmer, coach, athlete and friend to many of all ages, Dave was a long-time participant and supporter of the races.

Among the family members there this morning were Dave’s son Jamie Down, daughter Jen Allen and Jamie’s four-year-old son Jaxson, who gave it his all in the children’s 1 K race.

“I was at the run last year,” Jamie told Trent Hills Now. He and his wife moved to the family farm in Brighton to help with the work there.

“The race means quite a bit to me…just the passion he had for running and this race in particular being from Warkworth,” Jamie said with emotion.

A memory book filled with photographs was set up at the race site and people could sign it and leave messages.

School teacher Patrick Muldoon and his wife Diane got things started this morning for the 22 participants in the 1K race.

“Let’s hear the crowd and get these guys warmed up,” shouted Patrick as the younger runners lined up for the 1 K race.

“Runners, take your place, on your mark, get set, go,” he yelled as the first race began.

Using chip-timed technology by Splitstiming, the winners were announced as they crossed the finish line and they included: 1^st place Carter McCredie, age 9, with a time of 3:40.4; 2^nd place Katie Anthony, age 9, with a time of 4:17.6; 3^rd place Julia Anthony, age 7 with a time of 4:30.2.

Medals were presented following the first race.

The adult runners then lined up for their turn having chosen to run in either the 5K or 8-miler.

They started together and part way down the route they split up depending on which race they were registered to complete.

Safety was a priority as cyclists led the runners for both races.The Warkworth Community Service Club members were marshals during the event. Also at the scene were members of the Trent Hills Fire Department.

Water stations were set up along the route and drivers on ATVs followed the last runner in each of the races as a safety precaution.

WINNERS:

The top winners of the 8-miler which saw 43 of the 45 runners who participated, make it to the finish line are: 1^st Gary Wilson with a time of 55:25; 2^nd Jim Morrison, age 25, with a time of 56:02; and 3^rd Lee Shooter, 44, with a time of 56:35.

The race statistics gathered show there were 139 runners in the 5K and 8-miler, of which 37 per cent were men and 63 per cent were women.

The complete results are posted online at: www.splitstiming.com

With donations still coming in the tally at time of writing this article is $2,711.69.

The goal of organizers is $4,200.

J