The 3rd race of the 2017 Island Race Series, the 16th Annual Hatley 8K, was held 19 Feb 17 on the grounds of Royal Roads University. There were 369 finishers (2016 394 runners) covering the course under calm conditions and sunny skies. The moderate temperature was running perfect for the hilly course. The Overall (OA) winner was Nick Walker (30-34) in a time of 27:45. This was Nick,s 1st Hatley win The overall female winner running in her 1st series run was Gina Slaby (35-39) with a 29:48 and 14th OA. Well done to both. The top Male Master winning his 5th Hatley 8K was long time series runner Hugh Trenchard (45-49) who came in with a 29:39 and was 11th OA. The top Female Master winning her 3rd Hatley 8K was Yanna Debelic (45-49) with a 34:59 and 63rd OA. STARR had three runners competing in the race. In his 4th Hatley run, the 1st STARR to cross was Jonathan Dvorak (40-44) posting a 35:06. He was 7th in a field of 14 and 64th OA. Next in was Mark Ziegler (60-64) in his 8th Hatley run coming in with a 40:01. He was 10th in a field of 19 and 135th OA. Closing out our STARR field was our Ironman Bruce Hawkes (75-79) crossing the linewith a 47:15. He placed 2nd in a field of 5 and 254th OA. Bruce has run every Hatley 8K since it’s inception in 1999. Only once did he fail to finish in the top ten. Congrats my friend. Bruce also won a pair of shoes in today's final draw. Well done Bruce. Three records in the senior divisions were set today. In the 75-79 female group, PIH Maree Kennell ran a 51:41. In the 80-84 division Mike Ellis from TWC set a record with a time of 47:56 and PIH John Woodall set another record in the 85-89 division with a 53:31. Congratulation to all the record holders. The next series race will be the Bazan Bay 5K on 5 Mar 17. Well done to all the runners and supporters covering the course. See you all in Sidney for Bazan Bay.