Eight Comox Valley runners joined over 8,000 other athletes at the 2025 CIM Marathon in Sacramento California on Dec 8. Noted for its fast times and competitive field, the race did not disappoint.
On a perfect day for racing with light winds and cool temperatures Tsegay Weldlibanos crushed the course record with a time of 2:07:35 to win the men鈥檚 race. Not to be outdone, Calli Hanger-Thackery took down the women鈥檚 record with a time of 2:24:28.
The Comox Valley contingent who are all members of Comox Valley Road Runners (CVRR) were led by Andrea Wilson. Wilson proved that hard work and determination do pay off as she surpassed a lifelong dream of breaking the magical three hour barrier in the marathon. She finished an impressive second in the women鈥檚 45-49 age group with an amazing time of 2:58:19.
Following Wilson to the line was training partner Rob Kelly who ground out a first place finish in the men鈥檚 60-64 age group with a time of 3:05:03.
Rachel Deline fought through a challenging race finishing strong at 3:10:45 and 86/636 in a very competitive women鈥檚 30-34 age group.
Next was veteran racer Danny Keyes who showed his competitive spirit with a strong race finishing sixth in the men鈥檚 60-64 age group with a time of 3:17:22.
The next local racer to finish and burst onto the marathon scene with a very impressive debut marathon was Alex Du Boulay. Noting that this was the hardest thing he had ever done he ran a textbook race to finish in 3:19:19. There will be many fast times ahead for Du Boulay as he learns to master the event.
Marion Bryan showed that she not only has mastery of the trails, but also of the roads as she lowered her personal best marathon finish by more than five minutes with a well executed race and a time of 3:22:34, 34/316 in women鈥檚 45-49.
Bryan was followed closely by coach Wayne Crowe who ran a solid 3:26:42 and 7/89 men鈥檚 65-69.
Roslyn Smith, showed her continued domination of her age group, rounding out the local finishers with a first place finish in women鈥檚 56-59.
These athletes will all spend some time recovering before resuming training for their next challenges.
Coming up on the local road racing calendar is the Vancouver Island Race Series which begins on Jan. 12 with the Pioneer 8 km race in Sidney and includes the local CVRR Comox Valley RV Half Marathon on March 23.
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