Wet and windy conditions early last Sunday morning gave way to sunny skies as 382 runners took to the roads of Cobble Hill for the annual 10K race – the second race in the Vancouver Island Race Series.
Nanaimo’s Shelby Drope, who competes with the Bastion Run Club, and Victoria’s Alison Hooper of the UVic Vikes, prevailed as overall winners for men and women.
Ladysmith’s Steven Osaduik, a member of the Prairie Inn Harriers, once again had a strong showing and finished 17th overall and 3rd in the M35-39 division.
Fellow local athlete Kelly Schellenberg, a member of the Ceevacs Roadrunners, crossed the line 2nd in the F60-64 division.
Drope led from the gun as he went on a mission to set a personal best in the distance.
“My goal was to run around 33 minutes, so I am pretty happy with that,” he said.
Hooper was just as impressive as the triathlete and cross-country specialist also set a personal best and course record for the F25-29 age group.
The race as always was organized by Cowichan’s Ceevacs Roadrunners, which had 32 athletes competing as well as the many volunteers.
“I was very pleased with how the race went today. Very stormy conditions earlier in the morning gave way to blue skies and perfect racing conditions by the start of the race, making for keen competition and some very good performances,” said race director Ian Milne. “I know that throughout the field there were many personal bests and course records as well.
“My thanks go out to our series sponsors, as well as our local Cowichan Valley sponsors – without them this series could not be the success it is. And my particular thanks go out to the many volunteers from the Ceevacs Roadrunners, who put in the hours to make the event what it is,” Milne added.
Other Ladysmith runners included Mary Hulti who was 6th (F50-54) and Dawn Taylor who was 20th (F55-59).
Chemainus’ Roger Plamondon was 5th (M55-59), John Mountain (Ladysmith Striders) 16th (M60-64), Michelle Peters, 10th (F55-59), Joanna Galvin, 21 (F30-34), Tim Hendrie, 15th (M65-69).
Crofton’s Ellen Candlish was 10th (F60-64).
In the club standings the Prairie Inn Harriers are first with 1,164 points, second is Bastion Run Club with 706, and third is Frontrunners Athletic Club with 581.
The next race is on Feb. 4 when the Bastion Running Club hosts the Cedar 12K.
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