The Comox Valley Road Runners kicked off the Frontrunners Island Race Series this past weekend with many strong placings at the Prairie Inn Harriers 8K in Saanich.
Race day was beautiful, and sunny with no wind according to Natasha Fraser of Port Moody who posted a women’s course record. Fraser finished sixth overall in a time of 25:28, demolishing the women’s course record time of 26:08 set in 1986. She was thrilled to receive $1,000 for the course record and $300 for the first woman overall.
Jorge Parra was the first CVRR racer across the finish line in 26:31 coming fourth in M40- 44 category followed quickly by Neil Holm in his category M 45-49 in 26:53 to claim second place. Vince Brotherstone claimed third place in the same category with a personal best time of 27:28.
Brad Crowe had a personal best time of 28:48 as did Jerry Van in a time of 32:53 and a seventh place ribbon. Les Disher continued his winning streak, claiming a first place for his M60-64 category. Veteran Peter Moore (M65-69) is on the comeback trail, claiming a fouth place for his time of 35:48.
There were 16 CVRR racers overall out of 628 finishers in the 34th running of the Harriers’ 8K. According to Jerry Van, “It was perfect weather for a first race of the season. It’s always a shock to the system, makes you think you should have trained harder!”
The next race for the Frontrunners Island Series is the Cobble Hill 10K at 11a.m. on Jan. 27.
– Comox Valley Road Runners
