For both recreational and competitive runners, two highlights of every spring are the Vancouver Sun Run and the Times Colonist 10K in Victoria. In terms of participation they are the two largest 10K races in the country, each attracting thousands of runners. This year, however, it happened that both events were held on the same day. Which meant that athletes who trained for the races had to make a choice…
More than 60 local runners opted for the trip to the mainland and competed with over 36,000 entrants in the huge Sun Run on April 27. The fastest of the Nanaimo contingent was Shane Rogers with a time of 39 minutes and 51 seconds, which placed him 11th in the M1-15 age group.
Then came Terry Rogers in 50:27, Ed Fairhurst in 51:31, Ron Reynolds in 52:10 and Masashi Hasegawa in 54:14. A trio of women were the next local finishers: Jessica Brocklehurst crossed the line in 54:19, Christy Beuk in 54:38 and Char Lohnes in 54:57. Brendon Mitchell finished in 57:10, Lanette Soukup in 57:17 and Matt Kazanowski in 57:18. Other locals placing in the top 10,000 of the field were Dan Cloutier in 57:30, Sandy Tran in 57:40 and Rajinder Parhar and James Patterson with identical times of 57:51.
Nanaimo was also well represented in Victoria, where nearly 8,500 runners tackled the scenic course along the waterfront.
Among local runners, Byron Trajan had a excellent race to finish in 35:05. The result gave him sixth in the M30-34 age division. Lantzville’s Sean Reilly also had a strong run, placing 74th thanks to a time of 38:28. Brian Curley finished in 42:28, Chuck Wurster in 43:59, Pranay Ramash in 45:18 and Al Shirley in 46:37.
Leanne Lewis was the first female Nanaimo runner to the finish line, posting a time of 48:43. Denise Bonin finished in 49:20, good for fifth in the F55-59 category. Then came Kendall Hanson in 49:54 and Margie Sanderson of Lantzville in 50:03.
Other top local results included finishes by Meaghan Douglas in 50:21, Sarah Mawdsley in 50:31, Paris Gaudet in 51:28 and Hannah Bassett in 51:30. Brad Marshall and Brighton Bartlett both had times of 51:51, while Natasha Kosak was close behind at 51:54. David Klaver’s time was 52:05 and Harold Maclean ran 52:28.
Something new this year in Victoria was a half marathon race held the same day as the 10K event. Nearly 400 runners challenged themselves with the longer distance, including over 30 from our city.
First to finish among the group was Darren Seaman, who was third in the M35-39 age division thanks to a fine time of 1:26:41. Janna Gillick finished in 1:33:53 and Terry Ketteringham in 1:36:34. Julia Bradshaw ran a time of 1:39:42, Corey Friesen ran 1:40:52, Matthew Evans, 1:41:09 and Colin Entner, 1:41:23. Other locals finishing in the top 100 were Janelle Williamson, Rudi Mayser, Philip Humphries and Celina Gazel.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Thursdays.
