Gallagher & Feit Win 40th Manitoba Marathon

Manitoba Marathon rookies won the 40th edition of the Fathers Day tradition Sunday in Winnipeg.

Corey Gallagher, who had never run a full marathon, and Amy Feit, who was competing in her first Manitoba Marathon, were the 2018 men’s and women’s champions.

Gallagher crossed the finish line at Investors Group Field in a time of 2:37:46.

The 31-year-old Winnipegger, who is a former half marathon champion, said his first attempt at the full distance went well until mile 18.

“When people say that’s where the race starts, they weren’t kidding,” said Gallagher. “Everything went south and it was a struggle. It was good weather and good everything. I guess lack of training played into it.”

Jeremy Walker of East St. Paul was just under four minutes behind Gallagher in second place.

Feit ran the 26.2 mile course in 3:02:50.

“That was the number one goal today,” said the 38-year-old from Luverne, Minnesota who made her Manitoba Marathon debut. “I’ve won a marathon before but never felt the tape cross my stomach so that was a wonderful feeling. I loved that.”

Selena Sharpe of Winnipeg was second in a time of 3:07:02.

Steinbach’s Les Friesen finished in eleventh place.

“It wasn’t my day today but I finished,” said Friesen who was clocked at 2:58:56. “Not the time I wanted but I finished.”

“Halfway through the race my quads really started hurting and then it becomes a matter of how much pain can you take. For me it was mile 17 and then that was it. I had to stop and walk and kind of hobble it in.”

Abduselam Yussuf and Darolyn Walker, both of Winnipeg, won the half marathons.