The Comox Valley Road Runners held their own on a lightning-fast Bazan Bay 5K course that included a field of elite runners from throughout the province.
Eight hundred runners competed in this popular event in Sidney. It is part of the BC Timex Road Race Series which is run on various courses throughout the province. Overall winners were Jim Finlayson (14:58) and Paula Findlay (16:33).
CVRR continues to show why the Comox Valley is considered a hotbed of running on Vancouver Island. The growing strength of the club was evident as 21 athletes, the largest contingent ever, tackled this event.
"Five kilometre races are a test of both speed and endurance as runners push to their limit for the entire duration of the race," a CVRR spokesperson noted.
Vince Brotherston was impressive as he once again finished as the fastest CVRR runner, 56th overall, and fifth in the 45-49 age group, in a time of 17:31. Brad Crowe, 67th overall, outdueled Terry Nielsen for the second fastest Road Runner. Next was Keith Wakelin who held off Wayne Crowe (Extreme Runers/Asics), by three seconds in a sprint to the finish.
Frank Graham also placed well after his long awaited return to competitive running. Ken Richardson placed third in the 65-69 age group. Hans Gane showed excellent improvement with a great performance in this gut-wrenching event. Peter Moore, a former elite runner turned artist, made a surprise appearance and put in a solid performance.
Mary Bridges, who is currently training for the Canadian Death Race Ultra Marathon, finished as the first female CVRR runner and fifth in the 40-44 age group in a time of 20:07. Roz Smith, who will soon be off to the Boston Marathon, placed first in the very tough 60-64 age group.
Mary Ann Rolfe continued her transformation to road running stardom by finishing fourth in the 55-59 age group. Lindsay Wakelin carried on a family tradition as she raced to a PB. The dominance of the Keyes family girls continued as eight-year-old Molly Keyes, finishing seventh in the 0-15 age group, once again beat her father Danny by one second.
Other Road Runners competing well in this event were Brian Rose, Adam Simpson, Tom Munro, Karen Weller, and Jack Penfold. "The club also wishes to give special recognition to former CVRR coach Darrin Skuja. Coach Skuj ran extremely well in a time of 17:23 and shows he is well on the way to a strong performance at the upcoming National Military Championships," the CVRR spokesperson said..
Race Weekend is quickly approaching in the Comox Valley. On Saturday, March 19 at 9 a.m. CVRR is holding its own 5K road race to celebrate the completion of the CVRR Learn to Run 5K clinic. This event is open to the public for only a $5 entry fee.
On Sunday March 20 at 11 a.m., over 600 runners from throughout the province will compete in the annual Comox Valley Half Marathon. Both races begin at the Florence Filberg Centre.
"Come join us by entering either event or coming down to cheer on the runners," the spokesperson said. For more information go to the CVRR website at www.cvrr.ca.
