On Sunday, Jan. 14, Comox Valley athletes locals joined 541 other hardy runners in North Saanich for the Harrier Pioneer 8k Race, the first race of the 2024 Vancouver Island Race Series.
It was a chilly minus -2 C but felt like minus -5 with the wind chill. Perhaps that explains the excellent times with many participants racing faster than anticipated just to stay warm!
The top male finisher and race winner was Aaron Ahl in a blazing fast time of 23:44. Aaron is currently training in Victoria with Athletics Canada Hub. He specializes in the 1500 m event, having run a national-level personal best of 3:38:51.
Close behind Ahl was new Comox Valley Road Runner member and current Royal Victoria Marathon Champion Aidan Anderson, who continued to add to his accolades with a second-place overall finish in 24:34. Local Logan Roots, running for Esprit Running, began the defence of his overall Vancouver Island Race Series title with a strong top 10 overall finish and first M30-34 in 26:13.
The first overall female was Victoria鈥檚 Anja Kruegar who broke the tape in 27:55. She runs for the University of Victoria cross-country team, and is an elite triathlete. A highlight of the race was local runner Roz Smith adding to her growing list of achievements by shattering the Canadian F75-79 age group record by over two minutes with a time of 39:05.
The top local female was CVRR member Rachel Deline running a speedy time of 30:41, earning her fourth-place in the very competitive F30-34 age group.
She battled veteran CVRR runner and current vice-president, Rob Kelly right to the finish. His stellar time of 30:45 gave him a dominant win in the M60-64 age class. CVRR鈥檚 Andrea Wilson also ran a very strong race showing that all of her hard training is paying off. She set a new personal best of 31:51 and took fourth place in the very tough F45-49 age class.
CVRR鈥檚 Derek Brenchley (32:32) and Keith Wakelin (34:50) dominated the M65-69 age category to bring home gold and silver medals.
Ken Manning also ran well finishing the race in 42:05, good for seventh in the M70-74 class. Cindy Blackmore (47:25), Laura Wyatt (49:32), Maureen McDonald (48:12), Brenda Norn (50:27), and Mike Mesford ( 53:18 ) all put in strong performances for CVRR earning valuable points for the Series team competition.
Kieran Waterous led the contingent of Comox Valley Run To Beer athletes, clocking in at 30:34.
He was followed by Simon Jean in 32:02, taking 4th in the M45-49 age group. Kim Coscia made the podium with 2nd F25-29 in 32:09. She was followed closely by training partner Adam Commandeur in 32:37. For a full list of results go to startlinetiming.ca
If you are interested in running, the CVRR club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. Starting on Saturday, Jan. 20, the club is offering its 5k Running Clinic, a 10-week introduction to running that culminates with a 5k Fun Run on March 23rd. More information is available at www.cvrr.ca
