1st annual Gulf Coast Running Club Yak-A-Du was held at Wolf River Canoes in Long Beach Ms. on Sep. 23rd. The event was dominated by AARP members. 50 year old Leonard Vergunst and 50 year old Nancy Phillips were overall winners in the men's and women's division. Pine belt Pacers were represented by Bill Gasparrinni and Ed Wheeler. Who showed up to a kayak race with a canoe. Therefore  their times were not counted event though they finished in the top ten.
 

This was a 1st time event so it was low key. No t-shirts, 10 doller entry fee. However The after race refreshments included Beer which yours truly gladly imbibed.
 

The race itself consisted of a 2mile run followed by a two mi. Kayak then the two mi run again. We were teased last week with cooler temps on Wed. and Thur. However on race day we were greeted on the 1st day of fall with a sauna to race in the temp was a sultry 85 degrees and 98% humidity by race time. Leonard said after the race that it would be held next year complete with T-shirts. Check the results on the Coast running club's web site. © BC