HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-29, Page 29Third place finish for Beasley in Boston
Gerard Cremes
signal -star staff
Wow. That single palindrome de-
scribes Steve Beasley's performance
at the 2009 Boston Marathon.
The Goderich runner placed third
in the 50-54 age bracket with a time
of 2:46:41.
"Race day was perfect for running,"
said Beasley. "For me, the race went
according to plan."
That plan, readers may remember,
was to improve on an already impres-
sive finish last year, and not only did
Beasley do that, he accomplished a
negative split, where the runner ac-
complishes a faster time on the last
half of the race.
"I was behind schedule at the half-
way mark," said Beasley. "I made
the decision to go for it... and put the
hammer down and ran it."
Considering the latter half of the
marathon contains the most hills, Bea-
sley's effort is all the more significant.
Both the first and second place finish-
ers in his division had positive splits,
taking longer on the home stretch.
Meanwhile, in his first Boston ap-
pearance, Joe O'Keefe senior finished
in 3:40:03, as did his son, Joe Jr.
Those results weren't coincidence -
father and son crossed the finish line
at the exact same time.
Phil Paquette was running with the
O'Keefes and said Joe Jr. put family
first even as he ran the most presti-
geous marathon in the world. Their
family spirit was not lost on their
per.
"How many people get a chance
to run with their dad?" Paquette said
a week after the race. "He (Joe Jr.)
could have run 3:08 but he ran side-
by-side with Joe Sr."
For Paquette, this race also marked
a personal best - he shaved 15 minutes
off his time from last year, coming in
at 3:40:58. In doing so, qualified for
next year's Boston Marathon.
And while Joe and Joe ran together,
there was even more of a family con-
nection for all of Goderich's runners.
"Each of us had our families there,"
said Beasley. "It was great to see them
gat the 23 -mile -mark."
Once again, Paquette said the at-
mosphere was unbelievable.
"There were literally a million
people on the. sidelines," he said.
"Twenty-six miles of people. And it
is noisy!" •
He too was met at mile 23 by his
wife and daughters.
Beasley said he felt good through
the whole race, though fatigue started
hitting in the final mile. However,
with the end in sight, he
wasn't stopping.
"I thought, let's just get this
thing done," he said.
He said he owes his success
to training with his buddies,
who slogged through the win-
ter ice and slush with him.
Paquette said this time
around, he ran a smarter race.
"I started slower and fin-
ished faster," laughed Pa-
quette. "Joe and I had really
good runs."
With one Boston (and a
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O'Keefes as they ran.
Even though the race is over, nei-
ther Beasley or Paquette are showing
any signs of slowing down. Both plan
to participate in the Forest City Road
Race in London May 10
After that, Paquette will be heading
to Ottawa for another half marathon
and is eyeing up the Detroit Marathon
for the fall. Last time he ran there, he
also ran into difficulties finishing.
"It owes me," he laughed.
Paquette is also organizing the an-
nual Dash for Diabetes this Canada
Day.
Meanwhile, Beasley will be tak-
ing on the top trail race in Canada as
part of a 15 -man relay team on Cape
Breton's Cabot Trail.
In the fall, he said he hopes to take
part. in the Wineglass Marathon in
New York State. For full Boston Mar-
athon times and results, go to www.
bostonmarathon.org.
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - Page A29
Photo contributed
Joe O'Keefe Jr, Steve Beasley, Joe O'Keefe Sr. and Phil
Paquette are all smiles with their finisher's medals after the,
2009 Boston Marathon last Monday. Beasley finished third in
the men's 50-54 division.
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