Carol is focused on the finish line at the 2018 Cobble Hill 10K. Photo courtesy of Lois DeEll
The 2nd race of the eight-race Vancouver Island Race Series, the 11th Annual Cobble Hill 10K was hosted by the CEEVACS on 21 Jan. The weather gods were definitely in our corner today. The clouds parted, the rain stopped and the sun appeared somehow under calm conditions.
There would be 382 runners ( 2017 424) to cross the finish line. They would head out onto the Cowichan Valley country roads to complete the mildly undulating run. The overall winner (OA) was Shelby Drope (30-34) from Nanaimo’s Bastion Club in a time of 33 flat. The top woman was Alison Hooper (25-29) in a time of 35:37 and 16th OA. The course record for men was set in 2013 by Geoff Martinson in a time of 30:46 and the woman’s was set in 2008 by Sheryl Murphy with a time of 34:44. The top Male Master was Jerry Loeb (40-44) from Campbell River in a time of 36:05 and 22nd OA. The top Female Master was Carolyn Coffin (40-44) in a time of 42:42 and 87th OA.
STARR had 8 runners in the field capturing 3 top 10 finishes in various age groups from 40-44 to 75-79. The first to cross the line was Jonathan Dvorak (40-44) with an excellent 44:52 and was 8th in a field 20 and 125th OA. Nice work. Next to cross the line was Claude LaForce (50-59) with a 47:27. He was 13th in a field of 19 and 156st OA. Well done. Our 1st lady in was Stephanie Croft (40-44). She had a 48:22 and was 11th in a field 28 and 173rd OA. Another fine run Steph. Next to cross the line and in her 1st Cobble Hill race was Carol Spychka (55-59). She was in with a 58:41 and was 13th in a field of 20 and 288th OA…my best guess due to a bib shuffle.
Our next STARR was Jenny Adams (55-59) also in her first Cobble run. She covered the course in 1:03:04 and was 16th in a field of 20 and 323rd OA. Good job Jen. Next was the series ironman Bruce Hawkes (75-79). Bruce was in his 188th consecutive Island Race Series race. Bruce covered the course in 1:03:48. He was 4th in a field of 4 and 326th OA. Closing out the STARR field and In her first Cobble Hill was Teresa Lennox (45-49). She crossed the line with a 1:04:02 and was 10th in a field of 12 and 328th OA. Well done Teresa under the circumstances. Mark Ziegler had a DNF due to a non running injury.
STARR is presently in 14th place out of 43 teams. We are tied with Island Striders with 117 points. Congratulations to all our STARR's and other club runners for supporting the series. Kudos to you all. The 3rd race of the series will be the Cedar 12K on 4th Feb. See you all there. May the running gods be with you.