The first race of the eight-race Vancouver Island Race Series, the 35th Annual Prairie Inn Harriers 8K, was held Sunday Jan, 12 under ideal race conditions: cloudy, calm and cool.
There were 625 racers taking on the rolling Central Saanich course. Of the 625 runners, there were 239 that were in 50+ age groups.
The Sooke and Trail Road Runners (STARR) had 14 runners covering 11 age categories and captured three medals and three ribbons.
Leading the STARRs in his first Island Series race and our youngest member was Matthew Thomson (M01-14). Thomson crossed the mat in a fast 30:35 and was first in a field of nine and 59th OA. He was also only three seconds behind the top junior (M01-19).
Thomson was also the fastest STARR in the 100M sprint with a 21st OA finish and also first in his age group. He was definitely a golden STARR today. A well earned congratulations.
Our first female in was our latest STARR Amanda Johnston (F35-39). Johnson was in with a strong 32:40 and was seventh in a field of 27 and 104 OA.
Another one of our new STARRs was Keven Jolicoeur (35-39). Jolicoeur came in with a 34:52 and was 12 in a field of 28 and 154th OA. He was 26th in the 100M sprint and third in his age group.
Hot on his heels was Tory Van Ek (F45-49). She hit the mat with a 35:14 and was third in a large field of 32 and 174th overall.
Close by was her training partner Mark Ziegler (M60-64). Ziegler was in with a 35:17 and was fifth in another large field of 25 senior runners.
Our next STARR in was Claude LaForce (M50-54). He was in with a 38:14 and 22 in another large field of 41 men.
Then came Jackie Eddy (F60-64). She was in with a time of 38:42 and third in a field 16 and 285th OA.
Our STARR Island Race Series Ironman Bruce Hawkes (M70-74) also raced. Hawkes came in with a time of 41:50 and was fifth in a field 14 and 383rd OA.
Runner Ryan Adams (25-29) came in with a 42:01 time and placed 21 in a field of 22. Alongside him was Sarah-Mae Adams (F25-29), who clocked in at 42:02 and was 16th in a field 31 and 391st OA. Maggie Curtis (F40-44) crossed the mat with a time of 44:29 and was 26 in a large field of 43, and 445th overall.
Tom Burgess (M70-74) ran with in 45:29 and was 11 in his category, and 474th OA.
Close by was Charmaine Munroe (F45-49). She came in with a 45:31 and was 25 and 475th OA.
Closing out our STARR field was Vince Trahan (M65-69). He came in with a 47:24 and was 19th in a field of 24 and 504th OA.
STARR is presently in ninth place in team standings.
The overall winner was Geoff Martinson (M25-29) in a blistering time of 23:41. The female winner was Erin Barrett (F30-34) from Nanaimo’s Bastion Running Club in a time of 27:13 and 18th overall (OA). The top Male Master was 2012 winner PIH Jim Finlayson with a 25:17 and 6th OA. The Female Master was PIH Lucy Smith (F45-49) in a time of 28:27 and 28th OA.
Congratulations to all our new STARR’s and our STARR veterans for a great race. Our next race is the Cobble Hill 10K in 2 weeks.
Submitted by Vince Trahan