By Leslie Ann Bent
It was a rainy, windy day when seven STARRS headed out to North Saanich to take part in the 43rd Harriers Pioneer 8k race. This fast and flat out and back course is rural and takes advantage of quiet roads. It tends to attract a strong elite field as well as many recreational runners. This year, the race was the BC 8k Road Race Championships.
By the time the race started, the rain had subsided and the sun came out. Nearly 400 participated this year. STARR also had its own cheering squad thanks to Megen and some of the club’s children.
It was an exciting race at the finish line for our first STARR runner, Andy Smith. As he neared the finish mat, another runner in the same age group flew past him, clocking 32:05 to Andy’s 32:07, earning Andy a 3rd place age-group finish. Stephanie Croft was our first female runner to complete the course with a time of 39:03, collecting a 6th place age-group finish. Once again, Bruce Hawkes took 1st place in the M80-84.
The competition was tough. Tristan Woodfine from Ontario (M25-29) flew through the finish line, clocking 23:10. The BC 8k championship was won by the second-place winner, Brendan Wong (M25-29) of Coquitlam in 24:31. Andrew Russell of Victoria won the master’s division with an incredible time of 25:23. Two-time Olympic steeple chaser Genevieve Lalonde (New Brunswick) of the UVic Track team was the first female to cross with a speedy time of 25:58. The top BC female athlete was Kate Ayers from Victoria, finishing 27:31. The top female master was Jen Millar, also from Victoria, clocking 28:20. The top 19 runners ran in less than 27 minutes. It was truly a competitive field.
I caught up with some of our runners and here’s what they had to say about the race.
Andy - “It was fun. It’s a flat and fast out and back course. This race has a nice vibe. I got to see every body. Well organized. Fun to be back on the race scene and see lots of familiar faces previous years.”
Steve E, - “I was just happy that the atmospheric river gave us a little break while we ran. How lucky were we!! Also, Yay for pizza! They even had Gluten Free. What a great day. I think that was my fastest 8k by about 6 seconds. I even had enough gas in the tank to pass a few at the finish line. Also, this was the first race that my 2 daughters got to watch... alongside Megen and her 2 daughters.”
Maggie – “The course is amazing. It is an out and back with lovely little ponies and pastures and a stretch by the water. There are no big hills. I found it a good run and I was able to pace myself fairly well.”
STARR Results
Andy Smith (M60- 64) 32:07, 3rd
Steve Eriksen (M45-49) 36:47
Stephanie Croft (F45-49) 39:03, 6th
Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) 42:55, 7th
Maggie Curtis (F50-54) 44:15, 8th
Melanie Eskildsen (F40-44) 44:32
Bruce Hawkes 58:47 (M80-84) 58:47, 1st
Congratulations to all of our STARR runners and supporters.
