Jenny, Leslie Ann, Carol, Teresa, and friends before the Goddess Run
By Leslie Ann Bent
The cheering crew
What a perfect day for a race. As we pulled into the parking-lot we couldn’t help but see a stream of “salmon” moving around the grounds of Belmont School (Langford) where the 8th annual Goddess Run took place. This year’s race shirt colour was salmon pink, fitting for the BC coast. Many of the 1,000 runners were wearing their shirts proudly – pink everywhere you looked. The run weekend features 3 options – BMO 5k, WestHILLS 10k, and a virtual race. The races are chip timed. The 10k course is hilly with part trail, part park, quiet country roads, and part residential streets through the new Westhills development - mostly out and back. It is not a course to run a PB. The 5k course follows the first 3km of the 10k route before turning back to the finish line. This type of route allows you see other runners ahead and behind you, and to cheer for friends as well as the top of the field. STARR was out on full force with 5 runners plus a STARette, Teresa’s daughter, Olivia. We also had the all male cheering squad – Andy, Mike and Wayne, equipped with signs and ready to encourage us along the way at various spots. This made for great social time with STARR friends and family before and after the race. The unique features of this race include nearly all female runners and walkers, and 4 draw prizes for diamonds. Although the event has a fun and comradery vibe, there were also serious runners along the course including Lucy Smith (internationally ranked distance runner, triathlete and duathlete with world titles under her belt).
Stephanie
I started the race near the back of the pack which was a mistake given the number of walkers and first-time racers. The first 1km of the race was more about weaving around people than focusing on the race and the scenery. I did hear one walker comment, “I can’t believe there are so many runners!” as runners were flying around her from every direction. Around the 1km mark, I heard my name and there were Andy and Mike holding their signs and cheering! Just after the first km, the course changes from residential roads to a rolling shaded trail. The terrain was beautiful and the legs warmed up quickly as we tackled the up and down flow of the trail, passing Paradise Ponds as we ran. At the top a short steep hill near the 3km mark, the 10k course turned onto Humpback and into the more technical part of the course. This is where the 5km veered back, tempting slower 10k runners to follow the 5k group but I didn’t take the bait. This part was a lovely shaded park for the next several kms. It was on this stretch that I could cheer or high-five Stephanie, Carol and Jenny as they wound their way back. By 4km we were climbing – first a 5% grade, then 13.7%, then 15.6% before a bit of minor relief and a bit more climbing. The route back did a detour through the newly developed Westhills area and obviously had more steep climbs, although short. I was delighted to hear the cheering of three friendly voices, as I viewed the finish line – being the last of the STARR runners to complete the course.
The first STARR across the finish line was Stephanie Croft with a time of 52:14. Olivia and Carol were next and nearly crossed together. Olivia clocked 1:04:59. Carol, sporting a multicoloured grass skirt ran with a friend and came through at 1:05:25. Jenny was focused as she charged the last few hundred meters crossing the line with 1:09:42. My time was not too stellar – 1:31 gross. No personal bests on this course for any of us. The top runner was Sofia Donnecke of Victoria with a time of 43:21. Clearly the 12-day tapering was not a strategy I would recommend for a 10k, although I can’t promise not to try it again.
On the 5k front, Teresa crossed the finish line at 43:27. The top runner in this race was Lucy Smith with a time of 20:26. Congrats to all of the STARR runners. Thanks Andy, Wayne and Mike for your support throughout the day.
I asked Jenny what she thought of the race. “Hills are Hell!” was her first response. Then she added that she knew why it was called WestHILLS. Carol had more to add. “I loved the course with trails and quiet shaded roads. I also loved the empowerment of all of the women. This race will be an annual one for me.” I agreed with both. It was a great scenic course, well managed with volunteers, and if only they could cut out a few hills! (LOL)
