34th Annual Gunnar Shaw X-Country Classic

The 3rd race of the Thetis Lake Fall Series, the 34th Annual Gunnar Shaw X-Country Classic, was held at Thetis Lake 24 Nov. The weather was favourable…cool and cloudy conditions. The runners would face 6 significant hills and 3 major puddles. Covering approx. 10k, 177 runners would hit the cold puddle #3 (the shoe wash) to cross the line.

The Overall Winner (OA) was PIH’s Andre Russell (30-39) in a time of 34:59. The OA Female was Melissa Ross (30-39) with a 40:12 and 12 OA. The top Male Master was former Olympian Jon Brown (40-49) with a 36:06 and 5th OA. The top Female Master was Elizabeth Swiggum (40-49) with a 45:13 and 31st OA.

STARR had 2 runners on the course. In his 1st Gunnar, David White (40-49) hit the beach at 53:09 and 62nd OA. Congratulations…good Kusam training. Acting as the customary course sweeper, our ironman Bruce Hawkes (60 till death), was the last one in with a 1:30:10 and 18th OA. Well done to all. You all deserve a pat on the back. Till next year…HAPPY TRAILS.

Sicilian Race Report 2018

Hello all, Seeing I can't have Vince come over to do a Sicilian race report, I'll have to do it myself.

I've had quite a few races so far including my first 1/2 marathon in about 2 years because of the miniscus injury in my knee, up until then I have limited myself to 10km races or under. I've had

1 first, 3 seconds, 1 third, & fourth, twice. And by the way my Dad use to say it's rude to ask how many people were in your age group. I'm working on doing my second 1/2 on the 27th of January, in a city called Ragusa, which will be about 2 weeks before I return to Canada.

Another first in my life will be included in the pictures I'll send along. My running club here had year end photos taken & the executive decided to have it put on a billboard to show our sponsors & also to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

As I have said before the running when I arrive here in Aug. is a little tough due to the temperatures which go from the mid 30's to mid 40's so I don't run many competitive races, just training runs that I start around 5.30 in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

My second life here is wonderful with so much history to discover, but I also enjoy my other life on the West Coast. I tell people here that it's the last frontier & there is nothing in the world left like it.

Will close until we meet again, Stay hungry, Stay foolish, Ciao, Ciao, Ken

P.S. The other photo is two close friends from Palermo who run in the 85 to 89 age group. We just finished a race in a place called San Cataldo.

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2018 Thetis Lake Relay

The Sooke Trail and Road Runners had a fun and successful day at the 2018 Thetis Lake Relay. The club had four teams in this year's event with 16 runners making the 5K loop around Thetis Lake. 

The STARR super veterans men's squad, The Running Dead, finished third. The senior mixed team got a dishonorable mention  for worst name for its placeholder “We need a team name.”

Leslie Ann’s Diabetes Update

Although things didn’t materialize as planned due to my arm injury and half marathon nixed by my orthopedic surgeon, I managed to complete the 8km event in Victoria for Diabetes Canada earlier today. I am equally pleased that I was able to raise $725 for research and programs for the Diabetes Canada. I was diagnosed nearly 43 years ago and am living proof that the research dollars invested over the past 40 years have made a huge difference to those living with diabetes. So, I thank you for all of your generous support this past year. I thought that you might also enjoy a recap of the experience.

I started raising funds about a year ago, with a goal of running the Victoria half marathon today.  But in May, a significant fall causing a serious humerus bone break (arm), followed by surgery, a plate and 10 pins, side-lined my ability to run and train for the race.  One of the first questions I asked my surgeon post-surgery was whether or not I’d be able to run a half marathon in October, as running and cycling were off the table for “a while.”  His response was a direct and clear “no’” followed by a comment, “I hope you can get your money back.” He did say I could walk with no issues so I started building a backup plan which turned out to be the 8k event today during the Victoria Marathon weekend of events. My goal was to walk 75% and run 25%.

The day started out quite drizzly and as I lined up with the other runners at the start line in front of the famous Empress Hotel, I felt very lucky to be able to run. I checked my blood sugar and scaled back my insulin for the duration of the run. I was ready.  The course is a bit more hilly than I expected but it is a lovely course starting on Victoria’s Harbour front and winding through the downtown core of the city. It then climbs away from the inner harbor through residential neighbourhoods.  While I hustled along the course, I was able to take in the sites and the runners of all ages and abilities in all sorts of clothing from singlets to a winter coat.  I saw some inspiring participants with clear physical disabilities each one out there focused on a personal goal, I am sure. By the time I hit the half way mark, the full marathon, half marathon and 8km course converge at Beacon Hill Park and a scenic view of Victoria’s larger harbour.  The word “hill” was not lost on me, that’s for sure.  My slowest km of the course was from 4-5km which proves the need for more uphill training.  The fog and rain distracted from the view that could have been, but boats and the shoreline were still quite visible and was a lovely part of the course. By km 6 was arm was protesting  but my blood sugar level was staying quite normal so continued with my walk-run schedule.  By the time I could see the finish line the rain was coming down harder but I was happy.  It can be emotional to finish a race but doing it for such a worthy cause in a year of challenges made that finish line all of the more rewarding this time. It was my longest run since May and that too felt equally rewarding to hit another milestone.

Thanks for all of your support be it through my various book sales, encouragement and general donations. 

Thanks, Leslie Ann

Post race, wet but smiling after the finish line, wearing her medal

GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon 2018

Congratulations to our three STARR’s who braved the cold and rain on Sun 7 Oct.

In the 8K, Megen Seysener clocked in at 54:37. In the F40-44 division, she was 88th in a field of 174 and 1,232 OA. Well done. There were 2,160 8K runners/walkers finishers.

In the Marathon, Andrew (Andy) Smith crossed the line in 3:16:52 in the M55-59. He finished 5th in a field 45 and 103rd OA. There were 1,047 marathoners covering the course. Go to the results at racedaytiming.ca and give them both a high five. It is well deserved.

Congratulations also to Leslie Ann Bent who was also in the 8K. She finished with a 1:10:13 in the F-50-54 grouping. She was 80th in a field 103 and 1,1818 OA. Well done under the circumstances. She also deserves a high 5 for sure. Read more about her day here.

STARRs enjoy Tom Burgess Memorial event

Relaxing after a hike up to Peden Lake and a swim.

Hike, swim, and potluck with friends ... what else could be better?

The Sooke Trail and Road Runners held their second Tom Burgess Memorial event on July 8 in honour of their late former president and founding member. Almost 30 people hiked up to Peden Lake. A number of hikers took to the lake to cool off. After the hike home, the group headed to a great potluck social. Thank you to Jackie and Danny for hosting!

Cabin at Peden Lake

2018 Bazan Bay 5K

STARR had a good showing at the 2018 Bazan Bay 5K. Check out the results!

Claude races strong at the 2018 Bazan Bay 5K. Photo courtesy of Lois DeEll.

2018 Sooke River 10K

Way to go David! Photo courtesy of Dan Clayton

The 18th Annual Sooke River 10K along Sooke River Road was held 25 Mar. and hosted for the 1st time by Victoria TriStars.  The weather was race ready with partly sunny skies, a light ocean breeze and a 7 degree temperature. There were 271 finishers (2017 262) covering the out and back hilly course. The OA winner was John Vanderveen (30-34) in a time of 34:54. The overall woman and with her 3rd win of the Series was Erin Burrett (35-39) from Nanaimo’s Bastion RC. She hit the mat with a 37:06 and was 7th OA. The top Master Male was TriStars John Greaves (45-49) in a time of 38:17 and 9th OA. The top Female Master was Marion Bryan (40-44) from the Comox Valley RR (CVRR) in a time of 44:20 and 56th OA.

STARR had eight runners in the field capturing 1 bronze medal and 7 ribbons in various divisions. Awesome run for everyone. First in was Jonathan Dvorak (40-44) with a 43:35. He was 4th in a field of 11 and 45th OA. Another fine run. Next in was David White (45-49) edging out Claude LaForce. White hit the mat with a 46:46 bettering his 2017 time of 53:36. He finished with an 8th in a field 13 and 79 OA. Well done. LaForce was in with a 46:47 and was also 8th in a field 17 and 81st OA. With some gas left in the tank, it was a good strong sprint finish to the line by both.

Our 1st woman in was Stephanie Croft (40-44) with a 47:49 and was 4th in a field of 13 and 92nd OA. Well done. Our next STARR in was Jason Seysener (30-34) with a time 48:20. He finished with an 8th in a field of 10 and 99th OA. Good job.

Next in was Mark Ziegler (65-69) who came in with a 51:36 and was 3rd in a field 9 and 135th OA. Next to cross the line was Bruce Hawkes (75-79) who has never missed a Sooke River 10K since it’s inception. Bruce was in with a strong finish of 1:00:18 and 4th in a field of 6 and 217th OA. Closing out our STARR field was Teresa Lennox (45-49). Bettering her 2017 time of 1:02:40, she was in with a strong 1:01:13. She was 7th in a field of of 8 and 223rd OA.

Congratulations to all our finishers. Our next race and the last of the Series will be the Bazan Bay 5K in Sidney on 8 Apr. The Series Awards will also be presented at this time. Congratulations to all our STARR’s who gave their all at every race in the Series to fly the STARR flag. You guys were awesome. Hope to see you all in 2019.

2018 Comox Valley Half Marathon

The 6th race of the Island Series, the Comox Valley Half Marathon, was held 18 Mar. The weather was perfect for a half. It started cool …6 deg. and overcast but quickly warmed up to a balmy 12 degrees. There were 370 runners crossing the line after covering the gently rolling course.

The overall winner was Ian Searle (25-29) in a time of 1:14:14. Our top woman and with her 2nd win of the series was Bastion’s Erin Burrett (35-39) in a time of 1:21:10 and 13th OA  which bettered her 2009 time of 1:26:15. The top Male Master was Morten Nielsen (40-44). Nielsen crossed the line with a 1:22:13 and was 16th OA. He bettered his 2015 time of 1:24:34. With her 4th win of the series, the top Female Master was Carolyn Coffin (40-44) from the CVRR with a time of 1:38:19 and 90th OA.

STARR had a small field of three covering the event. Our 1st runner in was Jonathan Dvorak (40-44) in a time of 1:38:02. He was 8th in a field 19 and 88th OA. Good job Jonathan. Our only lady in the field was Stephanie Croft (40-44) with a time of 1:45:01. She was 5th in a field 25 and 135th OA. Another strong finish. Closing out our field was Bruce Hawkes (75-79). Hawkes hit the mat with a 2:43:55 and was 2nd in a small field of 3 and 351st OA. Well done Bruce.

Congratulations to all our runners. Our next race is the Sooke River 10K on 25 Mar. See you at the Edward Milne school start line.

2018 Port Alberni Paper Chase 15K

The 2nd Annual Port Alberni Paper Chase 15K was held on 4 Mar. The cold and sunny conditions were ideal for a 15K through the rolling rural Alberni countryside. The original Paper Chase was a 10K from 1986 to 2002. The 15K Paper Chase was reinstituted in 2017 when the Merville 15K was dropped from the Series.

The overall winner was Dusty Spiller (30-34) in a time of 52:04. The top Female was Bastion’s Erin Burrett (35-39) with a time of 57:50 and 13th OA. The top Male Master was Mark Cryderman (45-49) in a time of 54:05 and 3rd OA. Our top Female Master and with her 3rd win was Carolynn Coffin (40-44). She hit the mat with 1:05:05 and 37th OA.

STARR had three of our senior runners competing and also earning three ribbons. Well done guys. Our 1st runner in was Jonathan Dvorak (40-44). He clocked in with a 1:09:19 and was 5th in a field 9 and 59th OA. Next to cross the line was Mark Ziegler (65-69) with a 1:25:09 and was 7th in a field of 9 and 149th OA. Closing our small field was Bruce Hawkes (65-69). Bruce closed with a 1:45:43 and was 3rd in a field of 4 and 210th OA. The next Series race will be the Comox Valley Half Marathon on 18 Mar in Courtenay. Good luck to all runners.

2018 Hatley Castle 8K

Stephanie had a strong showing at the 2018 Hatley Castle 8K. Photo courtesy of official race photographer Brian Domney.

The 17th Annual Hatley Castle 8K was held on 18 Feb. under clear, cold…1 deg. and blustery conditions. There were 321 runners ( 2017 369) winding their way through the roads and trails in Hatley Castle Historic Park. The overall winner and his 3rd win of the series was Bastion’s Shelby Drope (30-34) in a time of 27:08.

The OA female winner, also from Nanaimo’s Bastion club, was Melissa Ross. She crossed the line in 31:08 and 16th OA. The Male Master with his 2nd win of the series was Jerry Loeb (40-44) with a time of 29:49 and 9th OA. In a time of 34:53 and 45th OA, the top Female Master was CVRR Carolyn Coffin (40-44). Well done to the winners.

The course record was set by Steve Osaduik in 2006 in a time of 24:52 and top female was Kirsty Smith in 2008 with a time of 28:40.

STARR had six master runners in the field picking up five top ten ribbons in various categories. Leading the field was Jonathan Dvorak (40-44) with a time of 36:53. He finished 6th in a field 12 and was 71st OA. Good job. Next to hit the line was Claude LaForce (55-59) with a time of 38:55. He was 9th in a field 15 and 97th OA. Well done Claude.  Stephanie Croft (40-44) was our first woman in. She finished with a 40:43 and was 4th in a field of 17 and 123rd OA.

Next to complete the course was Bruce Hawkes (75-79). Hawkes came in with a 49:46. He was 5th out of a field of 7 and 255th OA. In her first Hatley, Jenny Adams came in with a 52:15. She placed 16th in a field 20 and 273rd OA. Well done Jenny. Closing out our STARR field was Ken Pungente (75-79). He came in with a 54:54 and was 7th in the division and 282nd OA.

All the STARRs did an awesome job on a challenging course and in tough conditions. Congratulations to you all. The next race wil be the Port Alberni Paper Chase 15K on 4 Mar. Thanks to all for flying the STARR flag at Hatley Castle.

2018 Cedar 12K

The 3rd race of the eight race Vancouver Island Race Series, the 18th Annual Cedar 12K was hosted by Nanaimo’s Bastion Running Club on 4 Feb. The weather gods were again in our corner today. Under partly sunny skies with a temp of 8 degrees and calm conditions, 280 runners crossed the line. Due to a unforeseen hydro pole incident early Sunday morning at the top of the first climb, the course had to be rerouted taking out the 2 big hills. No one shed any tears over the broken pole withe exception of the home owners in the area with no power.The new course was through a gently rolling countryside. There were many good comments about the new course.

There would be 280 runners ( 2017 262) crossing the finish line. With his 2nd win of the series, the overall winner (OA) was Shelby Drope (30-34) from Nanaimo’s Bastion Club in a time of 40:05. The top woman was Catrin Jones (35-39) in a time of 44:42 and 17th OA. The course record for men was set in 2011 by Jim Finlayson in a time of 37:11 and the woman’s was set in 2008 by Sheryl Murphy with a time of 34:44. The top Male Master was James Richardson (40-44) in a time of 40:13 and 2nd OA. The top Female Master was Sheryl Davies (40-44) in a time of 51:13 and 49th OA.

STARRs had 4 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 53:35 and was 6th in a field 14 and 69th OA. Well done for sure. Next to cross the line was Claude LaForce (50-59) with a 56:32. He was 11th in a field of 17 and 96th OA. Good run as always Claude. Our only lady STARR was Stephanie Croft (40-44). She had an excellent 57:40 and was 2nd in a field of 14 and 222nd OA. Another fine run Steph. Next was the series ironman Bruce Hawkes (75-79). Bruce was in his 189th consecutive Island Race Series race. Bruce covered the course in 1:13:25. He was 4th in a field of 5 and 222nd OA.

Congratulations to all our STARR's and other club runners for supporting the series. Kudos to you all. The 4th race of the series will be the challenging Hatley 8K on 18 Feb. See you all there. May the running gods be with you as you climb the hills.