Lays enthusiasm and encouragement remembered

Fred Lays loved athletics. He was an avid runner, biker and swimmer, says his brother Jim. In 1996 he ran the Boston Marathon and in 1999 came in second in an Iron Man competition in Montreal.
But if there was one thing he loved more than competing, it was getting others enthused about running.
"I've seen several times where there would be a group of runners and he'd just drop back and run with the slowest person just to keep him company and just to keep him involved in it," Jim Lays said. "I think that's what made him so well known and well liked by everybody - because he tried to encourage."
Another way he encouraged was through his participation in the Jimmy Hawboldt Race held every year on Labour Day in Westville. For several years Lays had been the organizer of the event, which was held in honour of the Westville native who became known as "Nova Scotia's finest five-mile runner."
Hawboldt competed in 55 races in the 20s and 30s and won 38 of them, says Susan Oliver, Westville's Recreation Director. In the one's he didn't come first, he was usually not far behind, generally taking second or third. He was famous for beating Johnny Miles three times when they raced against each other - he also lost three times to the marathon runner.
Hawboldt was an inspiration for Lays, says his wife Cheryl Lays.
"He loved Jim Hawboldt and what he stood for," she said.
Lays helped to encourage others who wanted to follow in Hawboldt's footsteps by every year drumming up support for the event and encouraging participation..
When Lays own life was cut short at 57 in 2002 after a long battle with cancer, Westville decided to make his name forever a part of the town's heritage by renaming their annual race The Jimmy Hawboldt and Fred Lays Sr. Memorial Road Race.
"It's great they're recognizing that and continuing it," says Jim Lays.
Cheryl Lays said makes her feel both pride and humility when she realizes her husband is recognized with someone as Hawboldt.
But she knows he deserves it too.
"My husband enjoyed running for the physical part, but mostly it was the camaraderie that he enjoyed," she said. "He always stopped to help someone in trouble with their run,
always gave good, sound advice and everyone knew him for that. He was a true
spirit in running and still is."
Yearly participation varies says Susan Oliver, but generally there are between 100 and 150 people who come out to help organize and participate in the events.
This year the one-mile race starts at 9:30 a.m. the five-mile race starts at 10 a.m.
Registration for the races will begin at 9 a.m. at the civic building, 2042 Queen Street.
There will also be a Fun Run in the Victoria Park for children with registration beginning at 10 a.m.
This event is sponsored by Westville Recreation. There is no registration fee, but donations will be accepted.
Medals will be awarded and there will be prizes for participants. For more information, email the Westville Recreation Office at westvillerec@ns.aliantzinc.ca.