Icebreaker attracts a fast, cool crowd in sunny Steveston
Christian Gravel of Vancouver won the race in an impressive 26:09, edging Coquitlam’s Brendan Wong to the finish line by five seconds. Jeremiah Ziak of Vancouver (26:23) and North Van’s Jeff Symonds (26:55) were third and fourth, respectively. The top woman was Sabrina Wilkie of Vancouver in 28:46. Runner-up Jen Moroz of Vancouver clocked in at 29:37, while Vancouver’s Jillian Fong was third in 30:26. …more at Vancouver Sun
Eric Gillis and Leslie Sexton win 4th annual Eastside 10K
Eric Gillis, who recently finished tenth at last month’s Olympic marathon, won today’s 4th annual Vancouver Eastside 10K, a Canada Running Series event. His time of 30:16 was enough to hold off BC Endurance project runner, Justin Kent, who put some pressure on Gillis between the 6-8K mark. On the Women’s side, it was first time Eastside 10K runner, Leslie Sexton who managed to beat out Vancouver locals Dayna Pidhoresky and last year’s winner, Olympian Natasha Wodak. …more at canadarunningseries.com
Kip Kangogo runs to victory, marking his fifth win at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon
Over 6,500 people took part in the 18th annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k on Sunday, June 26. The event raised more than $860,000 and counting for 81 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This amount is a significant contribution to the $50 million raised nationally in the lifetime of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge since its inception in 2003. …more at canadarunningseries.com
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
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
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
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
Bruchet and Cliff Set Course Records to Win BC 5K Championship
The weather gods smiled on the BMO St Patrick’s Day 5K, as the forecast wind and rain did not materialize, the sun breaking through to provide perfect conditions for the BC 5K Championship and the third race in the BC Super Series in Vancouver’s Stanley Park on Saturday morning. …more at BC Super Series
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
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