A pair of Salmon Arm runners showed the way at the 31st edition of the Fresh Air Experience Run for Women Sunday in East Kelowna.
Chelsea Kaasa took top spot in the 10K, while Sara Kilmartin led the field in the 5K.
Kaasa won the 10K in 42 minutes two seconds, just 19 seconds ahead of 55-59 age group winner Cindy Rhodes, who finished in 42:21. Martha Sirdevan (35-39) was third in 43:34.
Kilmartin—a member of the UBC Okanagan cross country team—won the 5K in 19 minutes 14 seconds.
Kelowna’s Delilah Topic was second in 19:59, while Tiffany Fowler took third in 21:52.
More than 300 women ran in the 5 and 10 K races, with another 60 children taking part in the Strong Kids’ category.
Once again all proceeds from the event will be allotted to local charities, with this year’s funds being split up between Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Y Strong Kids program.
More than $7,000 was raised this year, for a cumulative total of more than $200,000 since the run became a charity event 25 years ago.
Founder and race director Karen Bates said the concept for the race remains the same today as it was for the inaugural event in 1984.
“Really we just try to get women out to participate, not to be afraid to enter a race like this and just enjoy the atmospere of the day,” said Karen Bates, the founder and race director for the Run for Women. “I just want to thank everyone for making this another successful race, and we hope to see them all next year.”
Full results from the Run for Women can be found at www.sportstats.ca
