From wedded bliss to tossing a piece of iron for a provincial record, all within the space of a week, Christine Hinzmann made a few honeymoon memories last weekend in Vernon.
The 57-year-old from Prince George got married to her longtime beau, Bob Dalgleish on Sept. 12 but the newlyweds went their separate ways less than a week later. He has asthma and is not keen on traveling during the pandemic.
So while her hubby was off fishing with his son, trying to reel in some whoppers, Hinzmann was in Vernon making waves with a show of upper-body strength at the Cory Holly Throws Challenge.
Hinzmann entered the throws pentathlon - an event that combines shotput, discus, javelin, hammer throw and weight throw - and broke the B.C. record for the 55-59-year-old age class. She posted a 2,632 total point score, snapping the old record of 2,583.
She also set a new record in the weight throw, an event similar to the hammer toss, with a throw of 9.95 metres, breaking the old mark of 8.83 m.
The event was sanctioned by BC Athletics.
"For me, competition has always been about me beating my own distances because as we all know there is always someone better who comes along to beat you," said Hinzmann.
"When I realized I could probably never be a record breaker at all the things, I thought I might be strong enough in all five throwing events combined to put forth a big enough score to squeak by the throws pentathlon BC record held by Rose Hare, who set the record back in 2007.
"I was fortunate enough to compete right along side Rose during the Cory Holly Throws Challenge. Rose is a multi record holding throws champion and throws pentathlete. She has every Canadian throws pentathlon record currently from 60-64, 65-69 and now for the 70-74 age category in which she currently competes. She is an amazing role model for us aspiring masters athletes."
Hinzmann, a Citizen reporter, grew up in Ontario and competed as a high school athlete in track and field. She made her return to competition a few years ago at the BC Seniors Games after months of practicing with the longtime Prince George Track and Field Club coach Tom Masich. In August, after a COVID pause, she resumed training with the club twice a week.
"It took me three years of practicing a hammer throw/weight throw turn in my kitchen," she said, 'because I am that uncoordinated.
"But somehow I managed to learn one turn where many athletes do as many as five. Learning one turn did the trick and with it I managed to gain on my distance enough to make a huge difference to me. Cassaundra O’Brien and Elena Thomas of the PGTF club offered so much guidance to help me learn the throws and I am forever grateful to them for all their expertise."
As much as she likes throwing events and winning medals, it's the fun she has while competing and practicing that keeps Hinzmann involved.
"The camaraderie us women throwers experience is unlike anything," Hinzmann said. "We cheer for each other, we tease, laugh and scream encouragement. It’s a wonderful unique place we find ourselves in because as you can imagine - it’s rare to find like-minded people. We are a bit of a rare breed, us women who throw many things."
Elena Thomas and Joan Harris from Prince George also attended the Cory Holly Throws Challenge in Vernon and each achieved personal bests in several throws.
