Sarah at finish
By Leslie Ann Bent
While many of us were home looking out at the pouring rain, four brave souls from STARR drove to Cobble Hill for some serious racing. Approximately 300 runners from here and far, took part in the Cobble Hill Trail race as part of the Vancouver Island Trail Series. This race, now in its 5th year, offers the long course of 20k and a 12km short course on single track with stunning views.
STARR had an amazing event, taking home three top three age group placings. Marika was our first runner to cross the finish line with a time of 2:26:18. Former STARR, Greg Carson, crossed with her, achieving the same result down to the second. Our first male runner to break the tape was Greg B. with a time of 2:48:25.
The competition was tough. I was very impressed to learn that the first overall runner was female – Genevieve Lalonde of Victoria (a two-time Olympian) with a time of 1:43:38 - about a minute and a half ahead of the next runner, and first male – Tyler Trace with 1:45:07.
Pauline, Jonathan, and Greg
I asked Marika to describe the race and here is what she had to say:
“The race went well, we actually ended up having okay weather. It was raining pretty steady when we went over the Malahat but then 45 min or so before the race, it let up and I don't think we had any rain during the race, nothing noticeable anyway. It was a bit foggy over some parts of the course and it even cleared up a bit at one point when I was out of the ‘deep woods.’ What a beautiful park.
“I saw Pauline before the race and had a quick chat. I didn't figure out who Sarah was so hopefully I'll get to meet her at one of the upcoming races if she is attending any more of them."
“This was sure a TOUGH race, I thought I was prepared but it was harder than I was expecting... The first 2 km are uphill switchbacks up Cobble Hill Mountain. I felt like I was in a M.C. Escher print at some points, you could see people at different parts of the race just up or down the hillside from you although I think at one point they would have been 1-2 km's further along in the race even though they looked like they were right there, the way the crow flies.
“The course was in pretty great condition, not too many wet or slippery spots. There is one brutal (actually two on the long course as you run that part twice) downhill section that is so steep I thought I was going to bail but you just have to go with it because there's no stopping on that part.
“I lightly rolled my ankle around km 10 but I was able to run through it; it only hurt for a little bit. I also got some really bad inner thigh cramps on the uphill around km 12 but I was able to keep going even though it definitely slowed me down on the last climbs.
“The after-race food was pretty great. I had a little cup of pickle juice to start and that was the best thing ever. They had a good selection of snacks and then grilled cheese this time for a special touch. I can't wait to see what we get next time!
“I had some more cramping when trying to change afterwards and didn't feel great after the race so I hit the road pretty quick.”
Sarah added a few more comments about the race:
Sarah and a friend at the start
“It was a lovely race. Rainy and muddy, perfect trail fun weather. Me and my best buddy unfortunately got lost but we remained positive and got back on course after some added kms. Haha. All in all, a hilly course but super fun and great people all around.”
STARR results
Marika Nagasaka (F40-49) 2:26:18 (3rd)
Pauline Nielsen (F50-59) 2:40:12 (1st)
Greg Balchin (M60-69) 2:48:25 (2nd)
Sarah McWhirter (F30-39) 3:32:43
Congratulations to our runners for an awesome race.