History Of The Glen Tay Block Race

History of The Glen Tay Block Race

Perth's Doug Scorrar held the course record for 27 years.:

Current record holder is Steve Boyd of Kingston, ON.

According to The Perth Courier, the first "Marathon to Manion" was run on October 25, 1907, with Edmund B. Code as the winner. That race was an out-and-back to the hamlet of Manion (also known as Manion Corner), a distance of 8 miles.

Pre-race article:

Post-race article:

The race directors decided to use the "Glen Tay Block" as the race route the following year, a distance of 14.7k or 9.1 miles. For several years, it was contested as a Thanksgiving day event, and was known then as the Rogers & Nicoll's Race.

The modern edition was founded in 1967 by Perth educator and coach Tom Graham as a Centennial year project. It was sponsored by Perth merchants Bill and Jack Wilson, and encouraged by sportsmen Rusty White and Peter Code. Although the race was originally supposed to be a one-time event, it was run again in 1968. There were no Glen Tay Block Race events in 1969 or 1970, however it resumed in 1971 and has been continuous yearly ever since.

The successful event is sponsored by Branch 244, Royal Canadian Legion, and the Perth Runners organize and conduct the race with the assistance of numerous helpers, particularly along the race course. Many of the volunteers, especially families, have been involved for several years.

The race begins and ends on Gore St., directly in front of the Perth Museum. Replicas of the Bill Wilson Memorial Trophy (men), and the Perth Runners Trophy (women) are awarded to the race winners. Medals and prizes are awarded in several age class categories. A Branch 244 Legion commemorative pennant, and a race certificate are presented to each participant. The course records as of 2017 are: Overall record of 45:14 set in 2003 by Kingston's Steve Boyd; and women's record of 54:36 set in 1982 by Helen Cooper of Ottawa. The previous course record of 45:30 was held by Perth native Doug Scorrar from 1976 to 2003.

Glen Tay Block Race circa 1911

1967 Glen Tay Block Race - Revival of original historic race during Perth Old Home Week in July.
Left to Right - Back Row: Bill Wilson (sponsor), Ron Wallingford 47:41, Doug Scorrar 49:24, John Park 50:34,
John Dextras 53:16, Duncan Rodgerson 54:55, Rusty White (local sportsman).
Middle Row: Larry Lemay, Bill Arnold 55:46, Bill Blair 59:31, John Burke 69:31, Andy Kozak, ?.
Front Row: Paul ?, Joe Mitchell, Peter Code, Tom Clapp.

* In June, 1965, Ron Wallingford won the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union's marathon championship in a time of 2:22.29.
* To see more on Ron Wallingford Click Here

In the photo to the right, Craig Ross and Stephen King are shown after the finish of the 1987 Glen Tay Block Race. Stephen King, on the right, is an area educator, and as of 2007 is still involved in the local running scene.
To the left in this 1995 photo from The Perth Courier files, are Alain Boucher number 725 - winner, and Terry Burwell who placed second. The record set by Perth's Doug Scorrar in 1976 of 45:30 was still holding, and would only be broken by Kingston's Steve Boyd in 2003 with a time of 45:14.

Kris Percival (now committee member Kris Plant) in 1979, just before she started Grade 9 at PDCI, placing second in the Junior Women's division. Kris became a champion Track & Field and Cross Country runner for PDCI. As of the year 2007, Kris has come back to endurance races, and specializes in triathlons. She has been a long-time competitor in the Glen Tay Block Race

This photo from the fall of 1963 shows committee member John Burke, front left; race director Tom Graham front center; and former record holder Doug Scorrar, rear left; after a successful track meet. The relay races in Bellville, ON, were two-man competitions on a 440 yard track, with the runners alternating every lap. At the time Tom Graham was the coach, and the rest were students at Perth & District Collegiate Institute.

The other runners are: Pete Scorrar, rear right; and Gerry Campbell, front right. Doug Scorrar recalls that both PDCI teams in the six and eight mile relays won their events.

At left, Race Director Tom Graham receives award at the 2002 Glen Tay Block Race. Photo courtesy of Carol Husband and The Perth Courier. Tom's Short Biography: • Race Director since 1967 • Local Educator 1961-1995 • Track & Field Coach 1961-2004 • Personal fitness trainer
Perth native Doug Scorrar, wearing bib #74 in a USA 1970's marathon, held the course record for 27 years.