News: Race Reports

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World Age Best for Lenore Montgomery at the BlueShore Financial Longest Day 5K

Apart from the unexpected appearance of a vehicle as the race was about to start, the BlueShore Financial Longest Day Road Race went very much to plan at UBC on Friday evening. The forecast thunder showers never materialized. The new course proved to be fast. The race favourites emerged the winners. And the post race barbeque and entertainment was as good as ever. …more at bcathletics.org

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A hill-side story of Shaughnessy speedsters, my coach’s cookies, cronies and a cool contest

Play Palace, that’s what parents in one of this city’s nicest neighbourhoods call Kerrisdale Arena during the spring and summer.
…Of course, the other thing that will take your breath away in that inspiring area is running up and down the freakin’ hills and undulating streets in the annual Oasis Shaughnessy 8K and TNT 5K Poker Walk, which more than 200 keeners — and this blogger — did Sunday morning. …more at vancouversun.com

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Age no barrier to winning at the 39th BMO April Fool’s Run

The 39th edition of the BMO Sunshine Coast April Fool’s Run was held under perfect racing conditions following the first week of real spring sunshine this year. The overall male and female winners came from opposite ends of the age spectrum, with 48-year old Kevin O’Connor of Vancouver crossing the line first in 1:12:31, and Lethbridge’s Adrienne Gomes, only 19 years of age, taking the win in 1:25:22. …more at foolsrun.com

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Canada Running Series kicks off in style: Trevor Hofbauer and Rachel Cliff win Modo Spring Run-Off 8K

Trevor Hofbauer and Rachel Cliff recorded convincing victories ahead of more than 1,100 runners at Sunday’s Modo Spring Run-Off 8K in Stanley Park. Participants were drawn from 5 provinces and six countries. The event was “Opening Day” for Canada Running Series 2016, the country’s #1 running circuit. It was also an important fundraiser for the Music Heals Foundation. …more at Canada Running Series

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Record setting Day for Natasha Wodak and the Eastside 10K

Vancouver local Natasha Wodak continued her banner year with a win at Saturday’s 3rd annual Vancouver Eastside 10K, a Canada Running Series event. Wodak’s time of 33:04 was enough to break the course record and was awarded an additional $500 for her efforts. Dayna Pidhoresky was second with a time of 34:01 and rounding out the field was Kelowna’s Malindi Elmore with a time of 34:32. On the men’s side Geoff Martinson ran a fine solo effort of 29:32 to crush the trailing pack by more than a minute. Calgary’s Trevor Hofbauer was 2nd and Chris Winter 3rd in 30:25 and 30:55, respectively. Defending champion Kelly Wiebe finished a disappointing 4th in 31:18. …more at Canada Running Series

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2015 BC 10K Champions Crowned at Summerfast

Rachel Cliff and Blair Johnston won the 2015 BC 10K Championships this morning, at the VFAC hosted Summerfast 10K.
Cliff successfully retained her crown, winning in 34:49 under sunny skies. Erin Burrett, returning from injury, took second in 35:36. And Lissa Zimmer of the host club was close behind to complete the podium in 35:48. Top master was Melanie Kassel in 40:54.
The men’s race featured a much closer finish as 23 second covered the top 4, including the first master. Blair Johnston triumphed in 31:30. Theo Hunt took the runner-up spot in the race for the third year in a row in 31:37. And Jerry Ziak just outsprinted Jim Finlayson for third in 31:52. Finlayson had the consolation of being top master in 31:53. …more at BC Athletics

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Reid Coolsaet and Lanni Marchant take convincing wins in Scotiabank Vancouver Half-marathon

Reid Coolsaet and Lanni Marchant both cruised to comfortable wins on a hot morning at the 17th annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-marathon, in 65:40 and 71:08, respectively. Temperatures were between 20 and 25 celsius under bright blue, sunny skies for the 4,400 runners who took off from UBC to run the 21k down to Stanley Park, along the Pacific shores, in one of the world’s most-scenic urban road races. Another 2,150 ran the accompanying 5K that was held entirely within the park, around Lost Lagoon and the stunning Stanley Park Seawall. Combined, the 6,500 participants were drawn from 8 Canadian provinces and 29 countries. …more at Canada Running Series

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Stephens-Whale edges Haraguchi by tenth of a second in thrilling sprint to win 38th BMO April Fool’s Run

In a full-out, no-holds-barred sprint to the wire, Roberts Creek’s Shaun Stephens-Whale finished in what looked like a dead heat with Vancouver’s Takanori ‘Tsunami’ Haraguchi, at the 2015 BMO Sunshine Coast April Fool’s Run. Both recorded 1:10:15. Electronic timing confirmed what was visually evident to those with the right viewing angle, giving the victory to Stephens-Whale.
Langley’s Lisa Brooking led the women’s field in 7th position overall. She was well pleased with her 1:18:42 clocking, her fastest time on this course by several minutes, and only a minute off her half marathon personal best. This was Brooking’s third victory at the Fool’s Run since 2012. …more at foolsrun.com

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Kelly Wiebe, Lanni Marchant win Modo Spring Run-Off 8K

Kelly Wiebe and Lanni Marchant recorded impressive victories ahead of a record-sized crowd of almost 1,300 runners at Sunday’s Modo Spring Run-Off 8K in Stanley Park. The event was “Opening Day” for Canada Running Series 2015, the country’s #1 running circuit, and drew runners from 7 provinces and 8 countries. It was also an important fundraiser for the Take-A-Hike Foundation. …more at Canada Running Series