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That time I beat Kate Bazeley and Colin Fewer in a running race

The last time I stepped onto the track at Pearlgate in Mount Pearl, it was 1996.

To be fair, the two weren't expecting me to give 100 per cent

From L to R : Jeremy Eaton, MHA Steve Kent, provincial 100-metre champion Josh Hamilton, Pearlgate coach Mark Miller, Tely 10 winners Colin Fewer and Kate Bazeley, and 99.1 HitsFM host Keliegh Butt. (Gary Locke/CBC)

The last time I stepped onto the track at Pearlgate in Mount Pearl, it was 1996. 

The majority of track and field athletes training with the club for the 2017 Canada Games hadn't even been born then. 

I'll admit I was terrible at track and field 20 years ago, and I'm in worse shape now, a little (read A LOT) larger than that kid I used to be and I haven't sprinted for anything since it was last call at the Duke of Duckworth a couple weeks ago. 

When approached to take part in a "Celebrity" 100 metre dash to promote Pearlgate's place in the Kraft Heinz Project Play contest, my first thought was 'Zach Goudie must be busy.'

My second thought was 'I am going to get beat so badly I wouldn't be able to show my face at the track for another 20 years.'

But I had a little help from a special training regimen created by former professional Nintendo Track and Field II player, turned coach, Andy Pyne. 

Team Eaton coach Andy Pyne offers tips on headband style, hot dog eating and how to win the race. (Gary Locke)

Lining up in the block at the starting line of the dash were radio personality Keliegh Butt, Mount Pearl North MHA Steve Kent, eight-time Tely 10 champion Colin Fewer, three-time Tely 10 champion Kate Bazeley and provincial 100-metre champion Josh Hamilton.

[Side note — Mr. Kent and I had squared off in a sports competition before, while training to be lifeguards back in 1996.] 

To see the training, and the drama of the biggest race of my life unfold, click the link below. 

The CBC's Jeremy Eaton hits the track

8 years ago
Duration 1:32
The CBC's Jeremy Eaton hits the track