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ADAM RICHARDSON
The News

NEW GLASGOW – Dave MacLennan was in a familiar position for much of yesterday's Johnny Miles Marathon - in front of everyone.
But the Scotsburn native knew he was in trouble. He couldn't see it, but word spread that Roy Moorehead was making a charge.
"My plan was to take it easy and I was going at my own pace," MacLennan said. "Then, I started getting splits and (Moorehead) just kept gaining 10 seconds each time. Then, all of a sudden he gained 30 seconds and then at one spot at the end, they told me 'he's really coming on you.' I figured it was pretty well done, and by the end I was trying to hang on to him from pulling away."
He couldn't. Moorehead crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 2:41.21, just 10 seconds ahead of MacLennan.
After breaking the tape, the Dartmouth native pumped his hands in victory, and turned to see one of his local running heroes cross behind.
"Excellent conditions, we couldn't have asked for any better," said Moorehead. "I was worried that the four-loop course would be monotonous, but the fan support more than made up for it. Running with Dave was motivational, and it was a learning experience.
"I really admire him deeply and I've always admired him and considered him a mentor. It's very humbling to think I could consider myself in the same class of runners as him."
Moorehead has won other marathons in the Maritimes, but said this felt like his biggest win. The come-from-behind nature also made it a thrill, as he wasn't sure he would overtake MacLennan down the stretch.
A cool, overcast morning wouldn't please beach-goers, but marathon runners were in their element. As a result, eight runners finished within 2:51.48 of the starting gun.
To put this in perspective, throw in a long movie like The Godfather. All of these guys could run 42.2-kilomtres before you ever reached the end credits.
For most of the 1,400 runners that competed yesterday, the time on your race chip was far more important than the order of finish. As marathoners trickled in, the first reaction was to peer at their stopwatch.
There's more on the line than a trophy - a qualification time for the Boston Marathon is the real jewel.
Some did both and still weren't completely pleased. Despite winning the women's event and earning a qualification time of 3:33.39, Sydney native Karen MacDonald didn't think yesterday was her best effort.
"I'm glad that I won, but I'm sure there are other more deserving winners," MacDonald said. "I've never won before. I'm a little disappointed with my time. I started slow, I had a good second and third lap but I hit the wall around mile 22."
Other winners yesterday included Beechville's Ian Holdway, who claimed the half-marathon in 1:20.43. The top female finisher was Lavinia Carreau of Truro at 1:27.23.
Ten-kilometre honours went to Halifax's Curtis Archibald at 33:46, with the women's race going to Robyn Erickson of Bedford in 37:38. In the five-kilometre, Woodstock, Ontario's Corey Newell won with a time of 18:04.
Vickie Letourneau of Antigonish was the top female finisher at 22:24.