For the second year in a row Nick Walker is the Sooke River 10K champion.
The race was highlighted by a partially flooded course at the turnaround.
But the 262 participants on Sunday, all took it in stride in the re-scheduled event that was postponed in February due to snowy conditions.
Sooke runner Jacklyn Evans said several puddles along a few corners on the course made things wet.
“My feet are soaked, so I was just squish, squish, squish for the second half of the race,” Evans laughed.
Walker won in 33:51 finishing two minutes ahead of Matthew Thomson (35:44) with Peterson Perrin third in 35:52.
Top master was Felipe Eudora who was also sixth overall, finishing in 36:32.
Walker was never threatened in the race.
“I led right from the gun and had a bit of a lead right away so I was able to just run comfortably and use it as a tempo run,” he said afterwards.
“It was a great day out there and the weather finally cooperated so it was a nice moderate temperature.”
The women’s race was won by Julia Tschanz in 39:37, second was Kristin Smart (39:47) and third was Sara Kelly (41:12). Top master was Yanna Debelic finishing in 41:40. There were two age class records. In the W75-79 Maree Kennell (1:02:34) and M85-89 John Woodall (1:01:47).
Race director Cathy Noel was pleased with the race.
“The flooded course certainly made it a memorable event for everyone. The “puddle pictures” will bring smiles to people’s faces for sure,” she said.
The Sooke River 10K is part of the Island Race Series, a series of eight races from Victoria to Campbell River.
The Sooke River 10K is followed by Comox Valley RV Half Marathon on March 19, Port Alberni Paper Chase 10K on April 2, and Cedar 12K and Series Awards on April 9.
