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PHOTOS: Apple Marathon brings hundreds to Kelowna

Kelowna's Luke Jukes lives with a visual impairment and ran his first ever half marathon

The Apple Marathon was back with hundreds of athletes competing in Kelowna on Sept. 29. 

Racers took their marks at 7:30 a.m. in City Park to run either the half or full marathon along Kelowna's waterfront. 

Kelowna's Luke Jukes competed in his first ever race, running the half marathon with a visual impairment. 

Jukes is only able to see contrast, but with the help of the November Project running group he has been able to continue running since losing his vision. 

"Running this was nerve wracking," Jukes said. "Especially right at the start because there's way too many people."

The runner said it was hard to stay on the track and not run into others, noting he may need a guide for any future races. 

"For the running group I just run behind someone. I watch their elevation changes, I watch where they're going and made sure I was with them. The challenge with this race, with the dark and light and the sun and shadow the white and black shirts didn't work... There was the odd yellow shirt and suddenly I'm pacing behind someone who is running slower than what I want."

Jukes completed the half marathon with a time of 1:48:25.

Christ Lovig took the top overall spot for the women's half marathon with a time 1:23:03. In the men's half, Jeff Vogt had the best time at 1:16:01. 

Best in the full marathon women's division was Stephanie Brown with a time of 3:02:09. Richard Brown took the top overall spot for the men's marathon with a time of 2:50:58. 

The Apple Marathon included an eight kilometre race that started at 8:30 a.m. The men's race had the oldest competitor of the day and the only runner over 80, Jim Lawrence finishing with a time of 2:24:00. 

A full list of runners and race times can be found online

Learn more about the Apple Marathon and watch for details on next year's race at appleraceseries.com



Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

I am a video journalist based in Kelowna and capturing life in the Okanagan
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