Wet, windy conditions prevailed Sunday at the first race in the Vancouver Island Race Series – the Harriers Pioneer 8K.
The 39th running of the event had more than 500 registrations, and was run on a new rural out-and-back course in North Saanich. For the second year in a row Lucas Bruchet (24:06) was the overall winner with Rachel Cliff (26:23) winning the women’s race.
Fourteen Sooke runners competed in the event.
The Island Series announced the first donation of $1,020 presented to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Runners can still make donations when they register for the remainder of the races.
Full results can be viewed here.
The next race is Cobble Hill 10K on Jan. 21, followed by Cedar 12K on Feb. 4, Hatley Castle 8K on Feb. 18, Port Alberni Paper Chase 15K on March 4, Comox Valley RV Half Marathon on March 18, Sooke TriStars 10K on March 25 and the Synergy Health Management Bazan Bay 5K and Series Awards on April 8.
To register for any of the races in the Island Series go to www.islandseries.org.