The last race in the Frontrunners Island Race Series – Sooke 10K – took place on Sunday, April 21. Hosted by the Island Road Racers, the race was followed by the series awards.
It was a one-two victory for Frontrunners with Nick Walker winning in 32:45 followed by Jonathan Gendron in 33:38. Third was Logan Roots (Prairie Inn Harriers) in 34:01. The Masters race was won by Shay Averbuch in 35:00. Walker and Gendron ran neck and neck until the 6k mark.
“I was going for a negative split so I then moved away Jonathan,” said Walker, who is running the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 5. “I felt good today running controlled downhills and hard uphills.”
The women’s race was won by Sara Gross (Mercury Rising Triathlon) in 37:03. Second was Sarah Daitch (Prairie Inn Harriers) in 38:55 and third was Julia Tschanz (Frontrunners) in 39:20. Rhonda Callender won the Masters in 42:44. One age group record was set: Arjan Gelling (Bastion Running Club) in the M65-69 in 39:09. Sarah-Mae Pyndus, recently featured in the Sooke News Mirror, finished 63rd overall, clocking in at 41:29. She was the first in her club, the Sooke Train and Road Runners (STARR) to cross the finish line.
“Everything went very smoothly today, the sun came out just as the race started and the volunteers were fantastic,” said Race Director Ken Chew. “We had a good number of registrations and 389 finishers so we were very happy overall.”
Geoff Martinson (Prairie Inn Harriers) won the overall series award with 883 points. Jen Millar (Human Powered Racing) won the women’s title with 847 points. Vince Brotherston (Comox Valley Road Runners) won the Masters series with 779 points and Binder Kelsall won the women’s Masters with 730 points.
“This was my first year taking part in the Island Series and I had a great time at every race. I had a chance to meet many people and see some new locations on the Island,” said Martinson. “Next race for me is the TC10K next weekend where I will be running hard to try to win. I will be racing the BMO Half in Vancouver the following weekend and will be looking for a new personal best.”
The Prairie Inn Harriers won the club standings, with 3,980 points, second was Bastion Running Club with 2,166 points and third was Comox Valley Road Runners with 1,880 points.
The Frontrunners Island Race Series registrations for the 2013 Series surpasses last year’s total by over 450 people. Congratulations to all the participants that ran, and walked,” said VIRA President, Cathy Noel. “We would like to thank the sponsors .... With their support we were able to have electronic tag timing at all of the races, which not only provides accurate times but makes the awards happen in a timely manner.”
The Frontrunners Island Race Series is sanctioned by BC Athletics. Historical results from races dating back to 1980 from previous race series can be seen on www.pih.bc.ca.