Defending champion Trevor Haaheim showed the way at the Larry Nicholas Memorial cross country run Sunday at Mission Creek Park.
Haahiem completed the 9 k race in crisp, cool conditions in 30 minutes 43 seconds, 52 seconds ahead of runner-up Nathan Champness from Vernon.
“I think I started out harder last year,” said Haaheim, who also won the Peak to Beak Run earlier this fall. “This year I was on my own most of the way, maybe not as fast in the first half but steadier.”
Kelowna’s John Machuga was third in 33:43, with Gary Wade fourth in 33:45.
A 13-year-old runner from Blind Bay led the way among female competitors as Chantel Jeffrey completed the course in 38:56.
“It was really chilly but the finish was nice because it was all downhill,” Jeffrey said.
Age group winners from Kelowna were: Haaheim (M40-44), Champness (M30-34), Machuga (M35-39), Wade (M45-49), Ken Reid (M50-54), Rene-Claude Rioux (M20-29), Jackie Johnston (F35-39), Barb Pullon (F55-59), Karis Shearer (F30-34), and Talston Scott (M16-19).
Fifty men and 47 women completed this year’s race, held annually in memory of Larry Nicholas who passed away in 1983.
It was last of five cross country races this season on the Interior Running Association circuit.
