Seasoned runners pave the way for rookies at the Ten Mile Road Race in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Jett Dobson says he got his first taste of running as a kid competing in the relay event of the Firefighters Ten Mile Road Race in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Now, at age 21, he's crossed the finish line as the first-place overall winner.

Dobson was among about 550 individual competitors at the 88th annual event on Monday. He finished with a time of 53:09 minutes, followed by:

• Darryl Blazino, 53:21 minutes.
• Eric Mann, 53:37 minutes.

"This race really inspired me and pushed me towards my goal of becoming a better runner, so I kind of stuck with it, and from there on I've been running ever since," Dobson said.

The Ten Mile Road Race, about 16 kilometres, took runners from the city's south side up Simpson Street to Fort William Road, looping around Marina Park and back.

Rebecca Bennitt took the gold in the overall women's category in a time of 1:02:49 minutes after seizing silver last year. In second and third this year were:

• Emma Vaillancourt, 1:03:52 minutes.
• Jamie Kovacic, 1:04:45 minutes. 

There were about 225 people competing on relay teams, about double the number of participants from last year, said relay co-ordinator Angela Woodhouse-Wild. 

Each team consisted of five runners who each completed a two-mile leg – about 3.2 kilometres – of the entire course.

'Just keep pushing'

Watching the city's top runners compete over the years is what pushed Dobson to start running competitively during high school. He placed second in the Ten Mile Road Race last year, and currently competes on Lakehead University's cross-country running and track and field teams.

He encourages those just getting started with the sport to have fun and find friends who can run with them.

"The sport's awesome. Anyone can really do it pretty much. It's pretty accessible, so find a few friends and just get out there," he said.

The event raised $860 for Team Unbreakable, which is a free youth mental health program in the city that trains young athletes in both running and mindfulness.

Linden Papineau, 11, and Desmond Kuharski, 12, completed the relay with Team Unbreakable 4, which placed first in the junior boys division in a time of 1:10:09 minutes.

When asked how they felt after the run, Linden said he was "very tired," and Desmond expressed that "my legs are about to explode."

Despite the pain, the friends plan on competing again next year, and had some advice to share with other young runners.

"Just keep pushing, it doesn't matter if you're tired. And when you get to the end, pick a spot and then just go. Just start sprinting as fast as you can," said Desmond.

"Just have a goal and do it. Just power through," added Linden.

Homecoming for Boston Marathoners

Twin sisters Michelle and Kim Krezonoski came back to their hometown as the official race starters. They are recovering after completing the Boston Marathon last month as the top two Canadian female finishers.

The Krezonoskis, who now live in Toronto, held a meet-and-greet on Thursday to reunite with the runners they grew up with and share some tips with rookie racers.

They were also there to cheer on their dad, Bill Krezonoski, who came first in the men's 70-74 age category in a time of 1:08:40 minutes.

Growing up watching and eventually competing in the Ten Mile Road Race, the sisters say it's important to support the city's running community so the tradition carries on.

"It doesn't matter if it's the Boston Marathon or if it's a 10-mile road race; when you lace up your shoes and put on a number, you inspire others in any capacity," Michelle Krezonoski said.

The full race results can be found online, separated by solo runners and relay teams.