The Sooke 10K wrapped up the Vancouver Island Race Series on Sunday crowning the 35th running of the event.
Under warm, sunny skies Nick Walker won the race, which had 352 finishers.
The race was hosted by the Island Road Racers.
Walker, from Frontrunners Athletic Club, won comfortably in 33:23, leading the pack from the start. Second was Jordan Brietzke, also from FAC, in 35:41, and third was Peterson Perrin in 36:06.
Walker was using Sooke as a test for the TC10K, coming up on April 24.
“I wanted to see what kind of shape I was in and test myself on a harder course,” he said afterwards.
With a personal best of 31:10, he hopes to do a sub 32 minutes in the TC10K.
Top Master was Mike Bridges from Comox Valley Road Runners, finishing in 36:19.
The women’s race was won by Lemlem Ogbasilassie for the second year in a row, finishing in 37:02. Second was Melissa Ross (Oceanside Running Club) in 38:48 and third was Sara Kelly from Team West Coast in 39:47.
Top Master was Susan Gordon (Salt Spring Sneakers) in 43:41. There was one age group award in W70-74, Valerie Gonzales in 53:30.
The overall series title was won by Adam O’Meara. Second was Jen Millar and third, Craig Odermatt.
O’Meara ran four of the races, Pioneer 8K, Cedar 12K, Bazan Bay 5K and the Comox Valley Half Marathon which he won.
“I really enjoyed all of the race series this year. It’s great to see so many people out there working hard to improve their health, and we are all out there to cross that finish line no matter how long it takes,” he said.
“Events like these that are still going strong after 35 years add to our fantastic sense of community here on Vancouver Island.”
Odermatt, who won the overall series title last year, picked up the Masters award.
The club standings was won by the Comox Valley Road Runners, beating out the Prairie Inn Harriers who have dominated the series for over a decade. Third was Ceevacs Road Runners.