By Jill Potter-Hellmann
I have a love-hate relationship with the half marathon distance, so I asked myself a couple times during the race on Sunday, why I was running. At the finish, after I made it to the end in one piece, I was reminded of why I do this.
On Sunday, March 22, the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon took place under perfect weather conditions. 736 runners completed the hilly 21.1 km course.
We (Kari, Maggie and myself, pictured above) decided on the 10 a.m early start, 1 hour ahead of the main start at 11 a.m. This gave us the experience of being at the front of the pack for a brief moment or two!
A lot of hills, until the turn around, the route is in a beautiful setting—snow capped mountains in the distance, horses relaxing in the sun, a stream and a chorus of frogs. Great community support along the way encouraged you on just when you needed that extra boost.
The event is very well organized by the Comox Valley Road Runners. Traffic control was excellent and aid stations provided water and electrolyte drinks. At the main start and finish area, the Florence Filberg Centre, there was plenty of available parking at the centre itself and around the surrounding area. Plenty of washrooms were available at the centre itself, as well as areas to relax pre and post race. Food and drinks were plentiful after the race and organized very well. Choice of a variety of pizzas and other foods (cheese, fruit, veggies, cookies, popcorn, pop, broth to name a few of the options) were available.
The winner of the event, who blew by me effortlessly at 17.5 km, starting an hour after I did,
finished in just over an hour.
First male finisher and overall winner: Russell Pennock of Kelowna BC with the Prairie Inn Harrier’s, with a time of 1:05:30
First female finisher: Katelyn Ayers of Victoria BC with the Victoria Endurance Track Club, with a time of 1:14:01
The Comox Half is race #6 of the Island Race Series (2 more to go!!).
Our STARRs at the Half:
Barb Cina 1:42:13
Emily Mann 1:54:58
Jill Potter-Hellmann 2:16:57
Maggie Curtis 2:18:21
Kari Toovey 2:23:45
Pauline Nielsen 2:24:24
Erin Nielsen 2:24:25
Congratulations everyone for a great race!