Kelowna runners set the pace on a sunny Sunday morning, sweeping all the top spots at Okanagan College’s 14th annual Half Marathon, 10 KM and Relay Race.
Kelowna’s Brad Bickley unseated defending champ Aaron Heidt of Vernon, to win the men’s half marathon in 1:12:24.
Heidt was second in (1:13:17), while Cael Warner grabbed third in 1:25:06.
Kelowna’s Christy Lovig tied the women’s 10 K course record, the same record that she set at last year’s event. Lovig ran the distance in 36:48 in both 2015 and 2016.
Alison Gill of Kelowna came in second (41:59) and Camille Galloway, also of Kelowna, finished third (42:33).
Gina Tranquada of Kelowna took the women’s half in 1:29:55, followed by Tracy Dayman (1:33:57) and Jodi Cochran, who was third in 1:34:17.
Kelowna’s Christy Lovig equalled her own women’s 10 K course record set last year, winning the race again in 36:48.
Alison Gill of Kelowna came in second (41:59) and Camille Galloway, also of Kelowna, finished third (42:33).
The men’s 10 K race was swept by UBC Okanagan’s cross-country team. Sam Goodrich finished first (35:49), followed by teammates Michael Mitchell (36:00) and Alex Hansen (37:36).
The half marathon relay event was won by team “Your Pace or Mine?” The five runners covered the 21.1 KM distance in a time of (1:47:58). Team members included: Jennifer Hostland, Lizzy McKinlay, Laura Fylyshtan, Matt Gibson and Teddy Haley.
“There were an awful lot of happy faces on the course today,” said race director Christine Ulmer. “The sun was shining and temperatures were absolutely perfect. On top of that, we had the largest number of volunteers ever for the race this year so it was very well run and things went off without a hitch.
“We didn’t break any records but judging by the number of people who thanked me at the finish line, it was a huge success.”
The Okanagan College Half Marathon, 10 K and Relay is an annual not-for-profit event that raises funds to support student bursaries.
