Final McGregor Mug Run bittersweet

Race winner Alex Waghorn leads the way at the start of the McGregor Mug Run last Saturday in front of Co-An Park.

All good things, and even great ones eventually have to come to an end.

The 14^th and final Mug Run and Beer Fest was held at Co-An Park in McGregor last Saturday and as always it did not disappoint.

As always it was well organized, complete with a four-plane fly over at the start, live entertainment, vendors and added this year, a kids race.

“The mug run exists because I wanted to bring something to my hometown. I wanted to go out with a bang,” said organizer Ryan Raymond.

Raymond has moved his event to his new home near the town of Schomberg in King Township.

“We shut down the main street. The whole town gets involved,” he said.

Taking the tape in exciting fan far at this year’s Mug Run was 38-year-old Alex Waghorn a former Riverside High School runner.

“I started running again four years ago and when I did this was my first race back,” he said moments after crossing the finish line. “I am sorry to see this race go.”

This year’s race also had a four-legged flavour to it and for sibling three-and-a-half-year-old huskies Alpha and Juno it was just another chance to stretch their legs as they had already run a 5K earlier in the day.

They ran just ahead of their owner Maria Liu of Kingsville who participates in Cani-Cross events including biathlon obstacles courses. She explained that according to the rules, the dogs have to be pulling her with the aid of a harness, bungee and belt.

“We do it for the dogs. It’s a dog sport, not a human sport,” said Liu.

Alpha and Juno were joined by a somewhat less spry six-and-a-half-year-old Bourbon who was happy to go at a little slower pace but nevertheless enjoy the trek.

When asked how fast her two dogs cover the distance, she said, “it depends on the conditions. Normally 20 to 30 minutes but it depends on how hot it is.”

Runners this year ran down the 11^th Concession, over to Walker Road and down the trail. For those covering the 10k distance, it was two laps of the course.

There were dozens of volunteers once again this year and Ramond, as always, was orchestrating the entire event and was appreciative of those who have helped out over the years.

“It doesn’t happen without these guys. They make me look good,” he said.

The charity partner for the McGregor Mug Run is Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.

Final McGregor Mug Run bittersweet

By Fred Groves