Keisha, Nicola, Donna, Andrea and Megen
By Andy Smith
Teresa & Carol
More than 8,000 participants gathered in front of the Victoria Parliament buildings last Sunday for an event many local runners consider the biggest event on their race calendar. The GoodLife Victoria marathon offers three challenging courses to suit every runner with 8k, ½ marathon and full marathon options. STARR had super representation last Sunday on a perfect fall day. Fourteen participants across all three distances, including many first timers! Nerves were high in the start corral, but we all took comfort from having training partners nearby to help with last minute encouragement. First off at 8am were 4,000 marathoners and ½ marathoners. Needless to say, the start line was crowded but somehow everyone made it across unscathed. Jonathan Dvorak and Stephanie Croft took on the full marathon distance while 10 Starr’s; Andrea and David White, Steve Eriksen, Teresa Lennox, Keisha Patten, Nicola Turner, Donna Bonin, Megen Seysener, Carol Spychka, and Andy Smith, attempted the half marathon distance. Not long afterwards; at 8:50 am 2,200 8k runners including STARRs Leslie Ann Bent and Vanessa White had their own start.
Megen & Steve
Victoria offers rolling courses through multiple neighborhoods taking advantage of quiet urban streets and scenic views. The marathon and ½ marathon courses follow the same route winding through Beacon Hill Park then out and back towards Oak Bay. The full marathon ventures out past Cattle Point while the 1/2 marathon distance turns back on itself at Fairfield. The 8k race has its own course through downtown Victoria but all three courses join up for the spectacular run back down the coast along Dallas Road to the finish line in front of the Parliament buildings. Finishers are greeted by enthusiastic spectators, and (this year) sunny sky and perfect fall temperatures.
Leslie Ann
We all enjoy the inclusive spirit of this race. Runners of all ages, races, shapes and sizes take part including wheelchair and visually impaired participants. I was inspired to see an older competitor running down the finish chute of the 8k race accompanied by what appeared to be his granddaughter. “He will be 90 in two months” commented the spectator beside me! He apparently has quite a few age group records! Watching for fellow STARR runners near the finish line I witnessed quite a few mother/ son and father /daughter combinations. It somehow seemed appropriate this close to Thanksgiving. As STARR runners we also benefit from a “family” atmosphere. It was great to see training partners car-pooling to the start and sharing the experience. For many it was a “first” race or attempt at a new distance. Congratulations to all and especially the first timers for all your hard work!
