Vernon’s Mary Edgar ruled the women’s division at the 10th annual Okanagan College Half Marathon Sunday in Kelowna.
Edgar, racing in the 25-29 age group, finished the 21.1-kilometre circuit in one hour, 29 minutes and 38 seconds, crossing the line 18th overall and 41 seconds ahead of runner-up Nikki Reiter of Kelowna. Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna finished third at 1:30:20.
On the men’s side, Vernon’s Trevor Jordan (1:18:19) ranked fourth overall behind and all-Kelowna top-three – Nathan Reiter (1:15:21), John Machuga (1:15:29) and Chad Reid (1:17:22).
Vernon’s Skeets Morel (1:22:42) scooted across the line in sixth.
Other Vernon-area athletes securing top-five age-group results include: Rick Stone (1:33:59), third, men’s 40-44; Gerry Naito (1:39:35), second, men’s 50-54; Alanna Sims (1:46:08), third, women’s 35-40; Cindy Kler (1:52:58), fifth, women’s 45-49.
UBC Okanagan students swept the men’s 10-km division, with Calgary’s Garrett Anstett claiming first overall with a 37:12. Alex Hansen (38:28) and Aurelien Schilles (38:29), both of Kelowna, were second and third respectively.
Armstrong’s Sam Lazar, racing in the men’s 35-40 class, was the only local to crack the top-10, finishing sixth.
Kelowna runners swept the women’s group, with Tiffany Fowler taking first at 43:37. Lisa Vinge was runner-up with a 44:24 and Victoria Frost finished third at 44:36.
Vernon’s Carla Peters (48:50) was the top local female, finishing second in the 45-49. Alison Carruthers (49:28) was third in the same division.
Other locals earning top-five finishes in the 10-km include: Wade Cantalope (44:55), second, men’s 40-44; John Glennon (45:18), third, men’s 40-44; Greg Leupin (51:56), fifth, men’s 40-44; Randy Wilson (54:34), fourth, men’s 45-49; Wendy Schroeder (54:38), first, women’s 55-59.
More than 500 runners took part in the annual fundraising event. All proceeds support student recreation and athletics at Okanagan College.
